With the NBA off-season suddenly becoming stagnant due to KD not moving from the Nets, it’s interesting to look ahead at where the teams currently are stacked. I took each NBA team and ranked them as either likely playoff contenders, fighting to make the play-in, or simply teams that will be lottery bound.
I know there may be more or fewer playoff spots than what I listed, but these are just sort of where I expect them to fight for.
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks: In between playoff and play-in – I love the addition of Dejonte Murray next to Trae Young, but does this move put them ahead of even middle-tier East teams like Chicago and Brooklyn?
Miami Heat: Should be in playoffs – The conference’s one seed last year, Pat Riley likely will keep this team chugging along in the regular season.
Charlotte Hornets: Likely Lottery – This team’s off-season has been pretty messy, and with everything going on with Miles Bridges indicating this team is young and immature.
Washington Wizards: Lottery – Bradley Beal resigning was disappointing to see, as he will toil in mediocrity. A play-in push would rely on Beal’s health and Porzingis playing like the former All-Star he once was.
Orlando: Fun lottery team – I’ll be interested to watch how Paolo and Franz Wagner operate together and I am excited to see their young talent. However, I don’t expect too many wins.
Central Division
Milwaukee: Playoff Lock – Many think if Middleton was healthy they would have been champs which I personally agree with. Nonetheless, they didn’t make any moves really this off-season and are running it back with the same core.
Cleveland: Play-in – While it might be a disappointment for them to be at the same spot as last year, they haven’t done much to improve this off-season. Unless Mobley or Garland take another step I see them being at around the same spot. Maybe they overachieved last year.
Chicago: Likely Playoffs – Injuries devasted this team during stretches last year. If they remain healthy they should be in good playoff standing.
Indiana: Lottery Bound – This team will be looking to develop its young players in hopes of a bright rebuild.
Detroit: Fun Lottery Team – Similar to Orlando, a lottery team I look forward to seeing. I love this team’s backcourt.
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia: Playoffs – This team usually doesn’t underachieve in the regular season, and with a little added depth and a developing Tyrese Maxey, this team should be a safe playoff bet.
Toronto: Maybe Play-in, Maybe Playoffs – This team may have overachieved last year, they still haven’t figured out the big man spot. Teams like the Nets struggled last year too.
Boston: Obvious Playoffs – Not much needed to be said. They returned all their rotation players and added Brogdon and Gallinari.
New York: Possible Play-in? – Adding Brunson albeit the cost is still a good contributor. RJ Barrett is still a rising player. Maybe they can capture the magic from two years ago.
Brooklyn: Should be in playoffs, but also a wildcard team – Talent wise they should be at the league’s top. I really like the players they’ve added to the team this off-season and the rotation adds TJ Warren and Ben Simmons. However, this team has potential for a flameout depending on the their own trio not blowing up.
Western Conference
Northwest Division
Utah: Lottery Team – Losing Gobert is a huge loss. I think without him they wouldn’t make the playoffs, and I think they will trade Donovan Mitchell and if they were smart they would. He is a widely overrated player in my eyes.
Denver: Solid Playoff Lock – With the back-to-back MVP gaining help in Jamal Murray and MPJ I think this team could reach a conference finals. They also added some defenders in KCP and Bruce Brown.
Minnesota: Should be in the playoffs – While yes, they gave up too much for Gobert, he is criminally underrated. The dude is a top 3 defender in the league. They were consistently one of the league’s best defensive teams while regularly trotting out an aging Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell, and Bojan Bogdanovic. I think Gobert and Edwards’ development will bring this team up a notch.
Oklahoma City: Lottery lock – It will be interesting to watch Chet’s development, especially on defense. SGA is also a fun watch given his somewhat unorthodox movement.
Portland: Lottery, maybe Play-in – Yes Dame is back, however, I don’t know how much Jerami Grant moves the needle. The West is much better than 2 years ago when they were a first-round exit.
Pacific Division
Los Angeles Lakers: Playoffs – I think last year was a fluke. LeBron usually doesn’t take two years off, I could see him being motivated maybe with the MVP up for grabs. I won’t count him and AD out heading into the season. Once we get there, could be a different story.
Los Angeles Clippers: Playoffs, if healthy – My pick to go to the Finals, this team has gotten deeper on the wing, and Ty Lue got this team to a play in without Kawhi and PG for much of the year. He’s a great coach.
Phoenix: Playoffs – They’ve been a high seed the last two years. Losing Ayton could hurt, but they think he is replaceable. I think to an extent he is.
Golden State: Playoffs – They kept pretty much everyone and have guys like Kuminga, Moody, and Wiseman waiting in the wings. They will be in contention.
Sacramento: Likely Lottery, could fight for play-in – While I don’t expect much, the addition of Sabonjs seemed to help Fox improve at the season’s end.
Southwest Division
Dallas: Playoffs – While losing Brunson hurts, they at least added Christian Wood and McGee who are both solid in their roles. With Luka running the show, I’m not worried about them and the playoffs.
New Orleans: If healthy, playoffs – Based on last year, they took the Suns to 6 games and add Zion. Sign me up. I’ll be keeping a close eye on this team.
Memphis: Playoffs, could see a step back – Them getting the 2 seed last year was perplexing. They talk a big game on social media. Let’s see if the hype catches up to them like the Hawks last year.
San Antonio: Lottery – This will be a team I won’t monitor as much as others. No real exciting players and will be losing lots of games.
Houston: Lottery – They won’t win too many games, I will watch for Jalen Green, who I still think has a shot to be the best player in his draft class. He ended the season stronger than people realize.
