THE NBA SEASON TIPS-OFF IN JUST ONE WEEK! Basketball is right around the corner, which means it is a perfect time to give my personal breakdown of each team. We are going to go division by division highlighting my expectations for each roster. I included what I expect to be the starting lineup for each team whenever they get to full strength. I am using my own thoughts on roster construction, reported lineups, and preseason starting fives to curate my predictions. Along with the starting 5 I have included the 5 bench players that I think will play and produce the most for each team. Included is also who I think is the most important player for each team, as well as players who I can see producing more than we expect at this point of preseason. As always I would love to hear your thoughts on each team and certain players you are excited to watch! Please comment below what you are excited to watch for in the upcoming NBA season!
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
G: Steph Curry / De'Anthony Melton
G: Buddy Hield / Brandin Podziemski
F: Jimmy Butler / Moses Moody
F: Draymond Green / Jonathan Kuminga
C: Al Horford / Trayce Jackson-Davis
Penny Stock Investment: Trayce Jackson-Davis
X-Factor: Al Horford
6MOY: Jonathan Kuminga
MVP: Steph Curry
Overview
The Warriors might open up the NBA season rolling out the oldest starting lineup in NBA history. And you know what? Those old men still got game. On paper Horford gives them a big man that they have desperately needed for a few seasons now. Steph Curry is still one of the scariest men in the NBA. Jimmy Butler is not at his peak anymore but he is still someone that can get to the free throw line and put pressure on defenses when he chooses. Draymond will be able to roam more defensively now that he is not expected to play the 5. The biggest question mark for the Warriors is where does the scoring come from outside of Curry and Butler? I question the offensive ceiling if one or both of those players have an off night. The Warriors range from ceiling and floor might be one of the highest of any good teams for me. I can see a world where they sneak into the 3rd seed, but also a world where they are fighting for their lives in the play-in.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
G: James Harden / Kris Dunn / Chris Paul
G: Bradley Beal
F: Kawhi Leonard / Derrick Jones Jr
F: John Collins / Nicolas Batum
C: Ivica Zubac / Brook Lopez
Penny Stock Investment: Trentyn Flowers
X-Factor: Kawhi Leonard
6MOY: Brook Lopez
MVP: James Harden
Overview
Another one of the oldest teams in the league the Clippers still are looking to advance to the Conference Finals for just the second time in franchise history. I love the additions of Beal, Collins, and Lopez. Beal was efficient and productive last year, just not when comparing it to his contract. Now he does not have the pressure of the contract and will not be the primary focus of defense. John Collins gives them front court versatility on both ends of the ball while giving them much needed athleticism. Lopez gives them a quality backup center to spell Zubac. You cannot count on Leonard on a nightly basis but they have enough talent to still be a very good team in the NBA.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
G: Luka Doncic / Gabe Vincent
G: Marcus Smart / Austin Reaves
F: LeBron James / Jake LaRavia
F: Rui Hachimura / Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Deandre Ayton / Christian Koloko
Penny Stock Investment(s): Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero
X-Factor: Marcus Smart
6MOY: Austin Reaves
MVP: Luka Doncic
Overview
The Lakers should be good. Luka is one of the best players in the league. LeBron is going to miss the start of the season, but a slightly regressing LeBron is still a top 15-20 player in the league. They added a center in Deandre Ayton as they look to tap back into his full potential. Question marks come on the defensive end as they lost Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency. Can Marcus Smart find just a small portion of his DPOY form after a few season of basically not playing? Can Jake LaRavia produce for them? Will they have enough front court depth? Can they have bench shooting? What role does Austin Reaves play? For a team with as much top end talent as the Lakers, I think they have too many question marks to truly strike me as a championship contender.
PHOENIX SUNS
G: Devin Booker / Collin Gillespie
G: Jalen Green / Grayson Allen
F: Dillon Brooks / Royce O'Neal
F: Ryan Dunn
C: Mark Williams / Nick Richards / Khaman Mulch
Penny Stock Investment: Koby Brea
X-Factor: Jalen Green
6MOY: Grayson Allen
MVP: Devin Booker
Overview
I look forward to seeing a Jalen Green redemption tour. I think he can have a good season. I think that Devin Booker will forever be an under appreciated top tier talent in the league. I look forward to watching lots of their role players. I think Khaman Maluach and Koby Brea are rookies that can out produce expectations. Overall I think the Suns might have a better roster than people think. That being said, the West is too good for the Suns to be any better than a play-in team.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
G: Dennis Schroder / Devin Carter
G: Zach LaVine / Malik Monk / Keon Ellis
F: DeMar DeRozan / Nique Clifford
F: Keegan Murray
C: Domantas Sabonis / Maxime Raynaud
Penny Stock Investment: Maxime Raynaud
X-Factor: Keegan Murray
6MOY: Malik Monk
MVP: Domantas Sabonis
Overview
The Kings are the Bulls of the West. They literally acquired former Bulls Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan! I do not think the Kings have a true identity or direction and, like Chicago, are destined for a play-in ceiling. I do not love the roster construction and its cohesion of the players' strengths. They have good players, but I do not think they have a great team.
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