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!
DALLAS MAVERICKS
G: D'Angelo Russell / Kyrie Irving*
G: Klay Thompson / Max Christie
F: Cooper Flagg / Naji Marshall / Caleb Martin
F: Anthony Davis / PJ Washington
C: Daniel Gafford / Dereck Lively II
Penny Stock Investment: Brandon Williams
X-Factor: D'Angelo Russell
6MOY: PJ Washington
MVP: Anthony Davis
Overview
I am overly optimistic on the Mavericks potential for this season. Especially if Kyrie comes back around the All-Star break. Even in a loaded Western Conference I think that Mavericks have a really high floor. They have really good rotational players, Anthony Davis is still a high end player, and they have perhaps the most mature and polished rookie we have seen in the last 5 years. I do not think they have the high ceiling to compete for a Finals win but I do think that if everything clicks the Mavericks can win 50 games and be a top 4 seed in the Western Conference.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
G: Aaron Holiday / Reed Sheppard
G: Amen Thompson
F: Kevin Durant / Dorian Finney-Smith
F: Jabari Smith Jr / Tari Eason
C: Alperen Sengun / Steven Adams / Clint Capela
Penny Stock Investment: Aaron Holiday
X-Factor: Reed Sheppard
6MOY: Tari Eason
MVP: Kevin Durant
Overview
The Rockets have done everything they possibly can do to maximize this season. The VanVleet injury is a huge loss, but they have enough to overcome it. They brought back Clint Capela for big man depth, adding Dorian Finney-Smith brings a ton of wing versatility that fits their brand of hard nosed defensive basketball. Josh Okogie as like the 11th or 12th man is insane depth! Their identity of tall, lanky, defensive, athletes will translate to regular season success. Adding Kevin Durant gives them a go-to scorer, something they missed last year. They stalled in the postseason last year when they were forced to play more in the half court. Durant is one of the best all time scorers and should help remedy this weakness by himself. I do think their lack of PG depth could be concerning, but they have enough ball handlers and playmakers in unique positions. Sengun is a great post playmaker, Durant will obviously have the ball in his hands a lot, Amen Thompson has potential to be a plus playmaker, Aaron Holiday is a serviceable guard, and Reed Sheppard hopefully can give you productive minutes in limited playing time. The Rockets should be able to build off of last seasons success with their offseason additions to make a true run at the NBA Finals. Along with the Nuggets, I feel like Houston is the biggest threat to Oklahoma City in the West.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
G: Ja Morant / Scottie Pippen Jr
G: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Ty Jerome
G: Jaylen Wells / GG Jackson
F: Jaren Jackson Jr* / Santi Aldama
C: Zach Edey* / Brandon Clarke*
Penny Stock Investment: Jock Landale
X-Factor: Ja Morant
6MOY: Ty Jerome
MVP: Ja Morant
Overview
The injury bug is already hitting the Grizzlies bad. Particularly in the front court, with Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke both having no true time table to return, as well as question marks surrounding if Jaren Jackson Jr will be ready for opening day. The Grizzlies are entering a new era with Tuomas Iisalo at the helm for his first full season and Desmond Bane no longer being on the roster. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson are both All-Star level players and are good enough to elevate a team to wins. Despite this, I do not think there is enough overall depth for the Grizzlies to be much better than a play-in team. I think the Grizzlies are a decent team but the West is just too good.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
G: Jordan Poole / Jeremiah Fears / Dejounte Murray*
G: Herb Jones / Jordan Hawkins
F: Trey Murphy III / Saddiq Bey
F: Zion Williamson
C: Yves Missi / Kevon Looney / Derik Queen
Penny Stock Investment: Trey Alexander
X-Factor: Jeremiah Fears
6MOY: Jordan Hawkins
MVP: Zion Williamson
Overview
It will be interesting to see what happens in New Orleans. They can't tank, as they traded away their first round pick, but I don't see a path for them to make the playoffs in a loaded West. I still think when at his best Zion is an All-NBA caliber player. Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are very good role players and Jordan Poole can be a quality guard for this team. I still have stock in Jordan Hawkins. I am excited to see Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen play. All of these things sound positive. But play-in at best is the outcome I see for New Orleans. They have things and players I like, but not enough firepower to be much better than .500.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
G: De'Aaron Fox / Dylan Harper
G: Devin Vassell
G: Stephon Castle / Keldon Johnson
F: Harrison Barnes / Jeremy Sochan
C: Victor Wembanyama / Luke Kornet / Kelly Olynyk
Penny Stock Investment: Luke Kornet
X-Factor: De'Aaron Fox
6MOY: Luke Kornet
MVP: Victor Wembanyama
Overview
The Spurs made all the right moves. A full season of Fox with Wemby is exciting. I think Dylan Harper has potential to be a quality guard for a long time in this league. The big man depth they have with the additions of Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk can create really fun lineups. It all comes down to Wemby. We all know the generational potential he has. Heck, when he played last year he was a top 10 player in basketball, with tons of room for improvement. It is a scary thought for the rest of the league to think he has not even come close to his potential. Like I said for teams like the Grizzlies or Blazers, I think the West is so good that I cannot say that they will for sure make the playoffs, but it would be seen as a disappointing season for San Antonio if they fail to do so.
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