By With the NBA season starting up tomorrow, here are my preseason team rankings with a burning question or x-factor who each team this season. So, let’s begin with the bottom group of the rankings called “Low Expectations”.
Low Expectations (30-25)
This group is for the teams that are in complete rebuilding and will probably be favorites in next year’s draft lottery but may have something to be excited about.
30. Washington Wizards- Not much to say here the Wizards are going to be disappointing unless you have Jordan Poole on your fantasy basketball team, but hopefully some talent will be able to showcase along with Poole.
29. Charlotte Hornets- Charlotte remains at the bottom of the NBA but will have some bright spots with rookie Brandon Miller plus the pick and roll play of LaMelo Ball returning from injury and big man Mark Williams. But the return of Miles Bridges from his off-court issues will be a potential distraction in every city because of what Bridges was involved in. Charlotte may be fun to see periodically but nothing more than that.
28. Portland Trailblazers- The post Dame Lillard era starts this year with this rebuilding blazers team that starts fresh with young studs like Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, and supercharged rookie Scoot Henderson will be a potential league pass watch but clearly starting over with no real playoff aspirations.
27. Houston Rockets- The Rockets were in desperate need of a culture change and with new head coach Ime Udoka, respected vet Fred VanVleet, and wild card Dillon Brooks should bring the blue collar, tough, defensive attitude to a young core that is need of an attitude and culture adjustment to reach their potential. If young star Jalen Green expects to take the leap then him learning VanVleet and Udoka’s teaching will certainly make that possible for him and other young talent like Jabari Smith Jr, rookie Amen Thompson, rookie Cam Whitmore and big man Alperen Sengun will make this a positive and hopeful future in Houston.
26. San Antonio Spurs- This will be short and sweet when comes to the Spurs where it starts and ends with rookie super phenom Victor Wembanyama, who already has fan buzzing with some plays in preseason and the excitement of his and others progression will be exciting for fans this season.
25. Detroit Pistons- One of the many teams I just can’t quit is the Pistons, who have so much promising talent that hopefully will come together this year. With Cade Cunningham returning from injury will be exciting but the overabundance of depth across the roster especially in the frontcourt may lead to some possibly sad departures but with new head coach Monty Williams hope are relatively high for a leap but it won’t happen this year but very soon.
Burn it Down (24-22)
The next group is self-exclamatory where the teams are stuck in no-man’s land, basketball purgatory and uncertainty which leads to the only of burning it down, total tear down, and start over in order to have playoff aspirations again.
24. Chicago Bulls- Enough is enough and it is time for a change! The Bulls who literally are wasting in the middle of the NBA and need to desperately start over. Hopefully trading stars DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and other potential assets to get the necessary parts for a positive rebuild will hurt the city of Chicago now but will be better for them down the road.
23. Toronto Raptors- Going to be hard to hide my fandom for the Raptors but maybe it is time to tear it down. With the loss of Fred VanVleet this summer and the departure of coach Nick Nurse leads you to believe it is the time to start over. Especially with stars Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby on expiring contracts that will entice contending teams to offer intriguing packages for them, this may be extreme but at that point why not shop Scottie Barnes and attempt to do some sort of a soft rebuild with plenty of assets to maybe obtain the next superstar who wants to be traded.
22. Minnesota Timberwolves- The last team in this group is shocking because it is expected to be a big surprise this season. Yes the wolves are talented enough to make some noise especially with continuing rise of Anthony Edwards but with the western conference being highly competitive and no real fix on the Towns/Gobert pairing will lead to a spiral that finally forces the team to finally part ways with Karl-Anthony Towns in order to put a more complete team around Edwards and make the best of the season.
On the Come Up! (21-18)
This group is the teams that were in the previous tiers last season but with some roster moves, intriguing young talent, etc. that could sneak up on the league with their rather quick turnaround that may happen this season.
21. Brooklyn Nets- Again not much to get into here with the Nets, who can fully be removed from the traumatizing era of KD & Kyrie, but the potential success of this teams will rest on the play of polarizing player Ben Simmons. Simmons performance this year will determine the team’s success as well as his future in the NBA, hopefully he returns to that all- NBA form and shows this odyssey of these past couple of seasons was just a bump in the road of his redemption and standing in the league.
20. Utah Jazz- Nothing thrilling is going on in Utah but never count GM Danny Ainge to make a shocking and splashy move to quickly change the trajectory of that team. Hopefully Lauri Markkanen will progress, and offseason steal John Collins from the Hawks will be great, but the lack of quality point guard and perimeter scoring holds this group back, but maybe rookie Keyonte George can solve those problems.
19. Orlando Magic- One of the few buzzworthy teams coming into this season is the Magic and rightfully so. With great play from Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero in the FIBA world cup this summer that usually leads to promising growth for the team. All the hype with this team could go away if their backcourt play does not improve from Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, plus rookies Anthony Black and Jett Howard rightfully raised concerns for fans but could lead to a surprising run this year.
18. Indiana Pacers- Another buzzworthy team with die hard basketball nerds like me is the Pacers, and when you look at this roster you can see why. Led by all-star guard Tyrese Haliburton, the pacers certainly put the pieces around to maximize that talent with newly acquired Obi Toppin from the Knicks, Bruce Brown, Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner and possibly rookie Jarace Walker. Indiana will for sure be a league pass team to watch that depending on health could be a surprise in the east.
Wild Cards (17-15)
This group is simply unpredictable as far as to what these teams may do this season because certain players or situations are incredibly volatile.
17. Atlanta Hawks- The other team I support is the Hawks and it simply comes down to one player and situation which is will Trae Young be a mega star leader? With a full off season under coach Quin Snyder gives hope for fans but Young’s willingness to expand his game, embrace change and elevate his teammates will determine whether the team is a play-in team or possibly return to the conference finals.
16. New Orleans Pelicans- If a team perfectly embodied the name of a group then look no further than the Pelicans. The past few seasons have been disappointing because of franchise player Zion Williamson has been injury prone and unreliable, but this season is make or break for Williamson and this Pelicans team which is extremely risky to bet on but hopefully for all our sakes, Williamson steps up and shows out this season giving all parties involved some much-needed hope.
15. Dallas Mavericks- If this situation was a chemistry project then the warning would certainly be highly explosive and damaging. The Mavs can either explode and be back at the top of the west or could implode that would lead to dramatic changes and situations they do not want. Of course, this starts with the always controversial Kyrie Irving and how good he performs and behaves before Kyrie becomes well Kyrie. But the bigger and looming issue should be if mega star Luka Doncic demands his way out of Dallas because of what has happened to this team the past couple of seasons.
Young & Frisky (14-11)
This group is the young, upcoming teams with playoff aspirations or some playoff experience that could potential contenders this season that the upper groups are overlooking potentially.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers- After an impressive regular season followed by embarrassing performance in the playoffs, the Cavs have a lot to worry about. Starting with the “Is Donovan Mitchell staying or going” buzz getting louder this summer, the doubt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen can play together, and will Evan Mobley step up offensively? I do worry about them coming playoff time certainly but should be solid in the regular season.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder- This is the team with the most buzz and possibly unreachable expectations this season, the Thunder have way too much to not be excited about, but we may have to temper our expectations and be realistic about them. OKC should certainly make a run at the play-in spots but if the all-NBA stud Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, promising wing men in Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, plus the debut of Chet Holmgren this year could lead them to more than the play-in. There is a chance of a midseason trade for a veteran star to ensure their playoffs aspirations but at the very least they will be a highly entertaining and must-see league pass team.
12. New York Knicks- Honestly it should be business as usual for this Knicks team after a modest outing in the playoffs last year this team is very much intact while adding some more Villanova flavor with the signing of Donte DiVincenzo only improve their backcourt depth. But which Julius Randle will show up this year is important along with will RJ Barrett take that next step many are waiting for him to take.
11. Sacramento Kings- The big surprise of last year was the Kings who certainly made a statement even with the valiant loss to the Warriors in round one gave a lot of hope to the city and their fans. De’Aaron Fox will make a push for an all-star appearance, Keegan Murray looks more comfortable and ready, but can or will big man Domantas Sabonis bounce back?
Yes there was a hand injury but doubt about Sabonis grew louder this offseason, but I expect him to return to form make the all-star team and a run at all-NBA but expect this team to come back hungrier and a need for speed in being one of the fastest teams in the NBA.
Heartbreak Contenders (10-8)
This group consists of contenders that are going to more than likely break your heart this season leaving you completely disappointed and confused about them.
10. Los Angeles Clippers- So we begin with the team that defines that in the Clippers. Who have greatly let down people in recent years now face a make-or-break situation going into a new stadium next year but who will be on the marquee? Are Paul George and Kawhi Leonard still Clippers? Will they even be available to make a legitimate playoff run this season? Is James Harden the piece to get them over the hump? A lot of questions surrounding the Clippers that may lead them to grim times they hoped to never be in again so brace yourselves.
9. Philadelphia 76ers- The Sixers were talked about a lot this summer but for all the reasons, James Harden feels scorned by his once biggest cheerleader Daryl Morey after not getting the contract he expected which has led to yet ANOTHER possible self-sabotage exit from Harden if things aren’t smoothed out. That situation can lead to last remaining piece of the process era Joel Embiid to finally demand a trade, a lot to absorb for one of the best coaches in basketball in Nick Nurse.
But worry not Philadelphia the potential most improved player season from guard Tyrese Maxey could give some hope that this season and the future isn’t totally lost. However, with the Bucks and Celtics dramatically improving their roster this offseason put the 76ers in a bad spot of being left behind in the race for the top of eastern conference, as the beard turns may provide some unwanted drama this team did not want.
8. Miami Heat- The reigning eastern conference champion Miami Heat maybe not be heartbreaking, but the expectations for the team this year will be. Expect this team to not be in the play-in again unless injuries happen, but the current last of depth on this team may catch up to them with Max Strus and Gabe Vincent moving on via free agency. But Heat culture is a real thing and poses the question “Who is next man up?” Could it be Caleb Martin again, second year sleeper Nikola Jovic, rookie Jaime Jacquez Jr, or the flyer on R.J. Hampton could pay off.
Legit Contenders (7-5)
This group has serious threats to their conference and could win a title if everything falls into place for them this season.
7. Golden State Warriors- Never count out the Warriors who are always dangerous and added perhaps the perfect fit for their roster in veteran point god Chris Paul, who is trying to win a title should be protected and rested during the regular season so he can be full strength in the postseason. But the progression of Jonathan Kuminga and if Klay Thompson is finished are things to keep an eye on with the Warriors and their success but never underestimate the power of Steph Curry who could overcome those issues and lead them to a deep playoff run again.
6. Los Angeles Lakers- Always the polarizing franchises the Lakers can win the title, but it depends on a few things. Will LeBron James continue to defy Father Time? Is Austin Reaves ready to be part of a big 3? And most importantly can and will Anthony Davis finally step up as the go-to man for this team like so many think he can be? My doubts of Davis are well-documented, and I just do not believe in Davis being that guy, defensive player of the year certainly but to be that number one go to option that carries this team will certainly not happen resulting in the Lakers not going to the finals.
5. Memphis Grizzlies- The Grizzlies can be contenders based on their talent but are they mature enough to take that step? With superstar Ja Morant suspended for 25 games, season ending injuries to big men Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke leaves them thin upfront. Fortunately, this team has won when Morant is out for a bit plus adding the more grown-up veterans like Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose may be exactly what this team needs as far as professionalism is concerned that hopefully would transition to winning in the post season.
The Elite
The top four are simply the elite, teams are heavily favored to win the title and will be the top of their conferences all season.
4. Phoenix Suns- No more Chris Paul brings in Bradley Beal, no more Deandre Ayton instead insert Jusef Nurkic? I don’t know about that but one thing we can count on is the Suns will put up some numbers this year. Of course, health and roster depth will be the greatest fear with this team, but KD, Booker, and Beal will be a matchup nightmare for many teams which could lead to a return to the finals if it all works out.
3. Boston Celtics- The Celtics are always in the mix especially now with Jaylen Brown under an impressive new contract gives this team some comfort about their core. This season Brown and Jayson Tatum must step up as the leaders and be up for the big moments, their swing player for their season is absolutely unicorn big Kristaps Porzingis and if he can be healthy and willing to embrace his limited role on this team will decide if Boston wins championship or not this season.
2. Milwaukee Bucks- Now to the team that went all in after their franchise player demanded that urgency and did the team respond Giannis Antetokounmpo by coming out of nowhere and acquiring Damian Lillard from Blazers increasing their odds as potential champions. However, a rookie coach saddled with a limited bench may halt any celebration in Milwaukee. Also, the uncertainty of can Khris Middleton return to form or not should be a larger concern for the Bucks if it truly is title or bust but even with all that it’s hard not put this team in the finals against the number one team.
- Denver Nuggets- No surprise the number one team of my rankings is the defending champion Nuggets, who remain intact mostly of with Bruce Brown going to Indiana this summer. Denver should be at the top of the conference and league barring major injuries but as long as Nikola Jokic is solid this team doesn’t have much to worry about, as well as having a healthy Jamal Murray to start the season will be a big piece in the Nuggets successfully defending the title this season.