30. Charlotte Hornets

After narrowly missing out on the rights to draft Victor Wembanyama in the upcoming draft, the future looks somewhat bleak for the Hornets, a franchise that has been known for being poorly managed. This team got hit with the injury bug this season, as their backcourt duo consisting of point guard LaMelo Ball and Shooting Guard Terry Rozier, were notably injured for an extended period of time. Ball and Rozier averaged a combined 44.4 points per game and are the focal point of the Hornet’s offense and a combined 2.5 steals per game. Meanwhile, the Hornet’s frontcourt is led by Kelly Oubre Jr. who had a career year averaging 20.3 points per game and 1.4 steals, and Power Forward P.J. Washington, who averaged 1.1 blocks per game. Despite this, the Hornets need to fill in the Center position after Mason Plumlee, who shot 66.9 percent from the field and was their leading rebounder, got traded to the Los Angeles Clippers mid-season. The Hornets have promising depth at Center to make up for this loss, with Nick Richards and Rookie Mark Williams both shooting over 60 percent from the field, being strong rebounders, and averaging a combined 2.1 blocks per game. As a team, the Hornets were one of the league's better perimeter-defending, rebounding, and shot-blocking teams. On the flip side, they also finished bottom five in the league in scoring and free throw percentage and bottom three in the league in field goal percentage and three-point percentage. This was a tank job gone horribly wrong, and the Hornets should be able to make an improvement from this season as long as Ball and Rozier remain healthy.

29. Detroit Pistons

 

The Detroit Pistons struggled tremendously last season, mainly after they lost their starting Point Guard Cade Cunningham to an injury at the beginning of the season. However, the Pistons have done a solid job of building through the draft and gaining young players, most notably rookie Jaden Ivey, who made an immediate impact after joining the team. Also, perceived draft “busts” like Killian Hayes, Marvin Bagley III, and James Wiseman are starting to find their footing and are turning into valuable players for the team, with Wiseman shooting 53.1 percent from the field. Rookie Center Jalen Duren also has the potential to develop into a strong interior defender leading the team in rebounds and blocks per game. Despite losing Saddiq Bey to the Atlanta Hawks midseason, the Pistons have enough talent to develop that will lay the foundation for future seasons to come. They also have a strong veteran presence as starting power forward 34-year-old Bojan Bogdanovic, their leading scorer, averaging 21.6 points per game on 48.8 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from behind the arc. This team struggles with efficiency on both ends, most notably with turnovers and fouling, but this can mainly be attributed to their inexperience. The Pistons recently hired former Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams and this combined with a healthy Cunningham returning to the starting lineup, will help improve the team and make them somewhat watchable.

 

 

28. Houston Rockets 

 

The Houston Rockets are a Team that has been rebuilding for the past couple of seasons, and this season is no different. As a result, the Rockets have tanked to gain high draft picks, and to a certain extent, it has worked like a charm. The Rockets currently have a solid backcourt led by Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr, which provides the bulk of their perimeter scoring, averaging a combined 41.3 points per game. Center Alperen Sengun has been a centerpiece for this team on the interior, being an efficient interior scorer and providing rebounds and strong defense. Rookies Jabari Smith Jr. and backup forward Tari Eason are other notable value defenders averaging a combined 2.6 steals per game. The Rockets are extremely dominant on the glass leading the league in offensive rebounds per game and finishing top five in rebounds per game. However, they struggled with scoring efficiency as they finished bottom three in field-goal percentage and dead last in three-point shooting. It seems like what the Rockets are missing is team chemistry, and the Rockets recently hired former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, which could be the one change that can turn the Rockets from a collection of draft picks into a strong unit ready to compete in the Western Conference.

 

 

27. Portland Trail Blazers

 

The Portland Trail Blazers are definitely going to be a team to watch in free agency this offseason, especially since their franchise player Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant are becoming free agents. Lillard had the best season of his career scoring 32.2 points per game on 46.3 percent shooting. The key to the Blazer’s struggles is that they haven’t found a legitimate replacement for C.J. McCollum. However, the Blazers have found help for Lillard in Anfernee Simons, who has been a solid secondary scorer and added interior scoring in Grant. They have struggled to build up the necessary depth needed to accommodate him. Rookie Shaedon Sharpe had an extremely strong finish to the season and has serious potential in the long run. They also received added defensive depth in Cam Reddish from the Hawks and Matisse Thybulle from the Sixers. However, they traded Josh Hart to the New York Knicks midseason, and this was perhaps what hurt them the most because he was a great complement to Lillard at the guard position. Basically, the Blazers are a franchise in crisis. Lillard has been carrying the team for the past two seasons, and if the Blazers don’t develop the depth to accommodate him, he will sign with a team that does, and the entire franchise will have to start over from scratch.

 

  

26. Washington Wizards

 

The Washington Wizards received some necessary help for Shooting Guard Bradley Beal by forming a core offense of Beal, Center Kristaps Porzingis, and Small Forward Kyle Kuzma, which averages a combined 67.6 points per game. The Wizards are a team that can score efficiently, placing top five in the league in field-goal percentage, and have improved their interior defense with the additions of Porzingis. Though the franchise has built around Beal for the past couple of seasons, it would be best for them to shift their focus towards Porzingis since Beal plays best when he is a secondary scorer to a more established player. The Wizards have good shooting depth, with Small Forward Corey Kispert shooting 42.4 percent from behind the arc, along with Porzingis and Point Guard Monte Morris. Delon Wright, Deni Avdija, and Morris also provide extra defensive depth on the perimeter. Wright led the team in steals with 1.8 per game. However, losing former first-round draft pick Rui Hachimura to the Lakers was a major loss for them, especially because Hachimura would become a solid role player for the Lakers during the playoffs. Overall, the Wizards have much promising depth, especially at the forward position, and a strong interior defense. The Wizard's struggles are mainly an issue of poor management, and if the Wizards can mature their current trio and properly develop their bench, they will see major improvements from the last season.

 

 

25. Orlando Magic

 

The Orlando Magic drastically improved from last season, winning 12 games more than the previous. This was mainly due to Rookie Of The Year, Power Forward Paolo Banchero leading the charge. Besides Banchero, Franz Wagner is a valuable secondary scorer and perimeter defender for the team and is efficient from the three-point line. Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony were both extremely efficient in the backcourt and helped to provide the extra spark that the Magic needed. Fultz and Jalen Suggs added extra toughness perimeter defenders, each averaging over a steal per game. In the frontcourt, however, is where this team truly thrives. The team has a predominantly 3-man rotation at the Center position, with Wendell Carter Jr., Bol Bol, and Mo Bamba playing near equal minutes and have made a strong impact for the team whenever they’re on the court. The Magic’s main struggle is turnovers, which is mainly due to inexperience and should improve as the team matures. Additionally, the Magic should consider trading for more veteran talent and continue developing their untapped potential to strengthen their team. The Magic, therefore, has many upsides and a goldmine of young talent, and the only way to go from here is up.

 

 

24. Indiana Pacers

 

The Indiana Pacers season was somewhat of a disappointment because they failed to make the playoffs. This is because they traded for Tyrese Haliburton before the regular season and he has been electric for them, averaging 20.7 points and 10.4 assists per game. Additionally, Myles Turner anchors one of the league's toughest interior defenses that finished top three in the league in blocks per game and dominated the post with his shot-blocking ability averaging 2.3 blocks per game. In addition, Haliburton and Buddy Hield are elite three-point shooters, both averaging over 40 percent from behind the arc and averaging over a steal per game. Outside of their big three, they are building an established young core headlined by Rookie of The Year candidate Benedict Mathurin and including Aaron Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jordan Nwora, add efficient scoring and extra defensive depth to the perimeter. However, they mainly struggle with turnovers and were top five in the league for fouling, which puts them at a disadvantage, so they often allow more points than they typically should. With their combination of efficient scoring, unlimited depth, and stifling interior defense, expect this team to make a serious run at the playoffs next season. 

 

 

23. Utah Jazz

 

The Utah Jazz is a high-scoring team that mainly relies on the frontcourt for the bulk of their output. They are led by Power Forward Lauri Markkanen, who made his first all-star appearance this season by averaging 25.6 points per game on 49.9 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent from behind the arc. Rookie Center Walker Kessler is the most promising player on this roster, using his length mainly to be an advantageous shot blocker averaging 2.3 blocks per game, and the team's second-leading rebounder. Both Markkanen and Kessler average 17 rebounds per game combined. This helps the Jazz to be a top-five rebounding team in the league this season. In the backcourt, Jordan Clarkson, Colin Sexton, and newly acquired Kris Dunn provide plentiful scoring while being the team’s most reliable three-point shooters. This team uses its size and length to dominate the frontcourt and three-point shooting to dominate the backcourt. The biggest struggle for the Jazz this season has been turnovers, as they were one of the bottom three teams in this category, but this is mainly because they have one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. As their newest signings become more adjusted to the Jazz roster and Kessler develops further, the Jazz should rapidly return to playoff contention and competition in the Western Conference next season.

 

 

22. Chicago Bulls

 

The Chicago Bulls had a major letdown this season as they missed the playoffs after finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference last season. However, the dynamic duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are still playing extremely well, averaging a combined 49.3 points per game and adding extra perimeter defense, averaging a combined two steals per game. Center Nikola Vucevic anchors the post with his interior scoring, being, and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game. Patrick Beverly, Alex Caruso, and Ayo Dosunmu add strong perimeter defending to their backcourt. Additionally, the Bulls were among the top five teams in the league in field goal and free-throw percentage. They handle the ball well, play good defense without fouling their opponents, and use a combination of reliable scoring and even better defense to slow down their opponents and win games. The Bulls are an extremely gritty team, and don’t be surprised if they make a comeback this season and reestablish themselves as a serious playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

 

21. Brooklyn Nets

 

The Brooklyn Nets were a team that had a lot of ups and downs last season. It started with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leading the team to a massive winning streak and a 2 seed in the east early in the season. Later in the season, they eventually decided that the experiment wasn’t working out and traded KD and Kyrie to the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, respectively. Forwards Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith were what got out of these trades. After the trade, the Nets could still secure the sixth seed in the east. Bridges had a breakout run in the playoffs, with Johnson and Dinwiddie helping to form an unlikely but solidified big three with the addition of increased perimeter defense. Additionally, Center Nick Claxton shot 72 percent from the field and averaged 2.5 blocks per game while anchoring their rock-solid interior defense that led the league in blocks per game this season, and their bench includes productive role players like Ben Simmons, Royce O’Neal, Yuta Watanabe, Finney-Smith, Seth Curry, Patty Mills, and Cameron Thomas. The Nets are also one of the league’s top five three-point shooting teams, with Watanabe, Joe Harris, and Curry shooting over 40 percent from behind the arc. Therefore, all it takes is one major franchise player to join the Nets to take them to the next level.

 

 

20. San Antonio Spurs

 

The Spurs have done it. They have earned the right to draft Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The Spurs were one of the worst defenses in the league and recently traded starting center Jakob Poetl to the Raptors. Wembayama will fill in this starting role and he should be the answer to their defensive woes, especially on the interior, where they finished bottom five in blocks per game and had the worst scoring defense in the league allowing 123.1 points per game. Wembanyama will be surrounded by efficient young scorers like Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, along with being aided on the perimeter by starting point guard Tre Jones who leads the team in steals. Additionally, the Spurs are a good rebounding team, and Wembanyama will use his impeccable length to dominate the interior and improve their defense. The Spurs have already established a solid young core, and Wembanyama may just be the missing puzzle piece the Spurs need in order to take their team to new heights.

 

  

19. Atlanta Hawks

 

The Atlanta Hawks had a disappointing season where they made minimal improvement since trading for Dejounte Murray to pair up with Trae Young in the backcourt. The dynamic duo of Young and Murray carry the bulk of the Hawk's offense scoring a combined 46.7 points per game and are also their best perimeter defenders averaging over a steal per game each. The Hawks are also a high-scoring team finishing top three in the league in scoring per game, as Young and Murray are also aided by other efficient scorers like Shooting Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who shot 40.6 percent from behind the arc, and Small Forward DeAndre Hunter. On the interior, Clint Capela is a rebounding machine, and John Collins and Onyeka Okongwu average over a block per game each. The Hawks rarely turn the ball over and play defense without fouling. The biggest problem with the Atlanta Hawks is the lack of team chemistry between Young and Murray. Both players are ball-dominant guards and were expected to impact the team immediately without any time to mature. There was also a tradeoff between the two, as one played well and the other did not. Therefore, team chemistry proved to be a serious issue with this team, even when it seemed like the Hawks were ready to light up the league. However, as the team gets more adjusted to the new lineup and both players become more acquainted with one another, the Hawks should improve on their season and use their offensive efficiency to make a serious playoff run as they did in 2021.

 

18. Toronto Raptors

 

The Toronto Raptors had an underwhelming season despite having the strongest starting five out of any team in the league. Pascal Siakam is the team’s leader, guiding the Raptors as their leading scorer and rebounder, and has solid playmaking for a Power Forward. Additionally, Small Forward O.G. Anunoby, who led the league in steals per game with 1.9 per game, and Point Guard Fred VanVleet added more perimeter defense to the team that led the league in steals this season. The Raptors also received Jakob Poeltl in a trade with the Spurs, which will provide better interior defense for the team as he averaged 1.3 blocks per game. The Raptors mainly struggled with scoring and were inefficient, as they were in the bottom five for field goal percentage and third worst in three-point percentage in the league. However, the Raptors are a top-five scoring defense and force many turnovers, which makes up for their poor output on the offensive end. This below-average season led to Nick Nurse getting fired, but the Raptors should make a comeback as they currently harbor most of the same players from their 2019 NBA Championship team. Overall, the Raptor’s experience and rock-solid defense should help them overcome this blunder, reappearing in the Playoffs next season.

  

 

17. Oklahoma City Thunder

 

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s season looked to be in jeopardy after their top-three pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren, got injured during the offseason. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder easily exceeded these expectations. Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31.4 points per game on 51 percent shooting from the field, led the team in steals with 1.7 per game, and averaged a block per game. Point Guard Josh Giddey leads the team in assists and has great rebounding ability for the guard position. Luguentz Dort and rookie Jalen Williams are also other very promising perimeter defenders. Aleksey Pokusevski leads the team in blocks and has anchored the team in Holmgren’s absence. The Thunder are a top-five scoring team in the league and forced the most turnovers per game out of any team in the league this season with 16.2 per game. When Holmgren returns to the team, he will use his length and shot-blocking ability to improve the Thunder’s interior defense and take this team to the next level. Despite being inexperienced, the Thunder makes up for it by using their size to score at will and play solid defense. Therefore, the Thunder have the foundation prepared to return to playoff prominence and are ready to compete in the Western Conference again.

  

16. Minnesota Timberwolves

 

The Minnesota Timberwolves made some serious noise when they received former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz to pair up with Karl Anthony Towns to form a fearsome duo in the post. Additionally, sophomore Shooting Guard Anthony Edwards made his first career all-star game and announced himself as a generational talent with his aggressive scoring ability averaging 24.6 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field and being a clutch scorer when needed. He was also the team’s best perimeter defender averaging 1.6 steals per game. The Timberwolves had the makings of a playoff contender serious about making it far. They scored efficiently and at a high clip, secured the perimeter, and anchored the interior easily, finishing top three in the league in field goal percentage and top five in the league in both steals and blocks per game. Towns were primarily used as a skilled interior scorer, as he has always been used throughout his career, while also being decent from behind the arc, and Gobert was a solid rebounder and shot blocker while shooting 65.9 percent from the field. The Timberwolves also have solid rotational players, notably Power Forward Jaden McDaniels and Small Forward Kyle Anderson, who added more defensive depth to their bench. However, the team’s chemistry was atrocious and was best exemplified in the playoffs when Gobert and Anderson got into a verbal altercation on the bench en route to a five-game route at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. This team has high expectations, but for a good reason, because if they succeed, they could be one of the greatest Timberwolves teams ever and one of the most feared in the Western Conference. Mainly, it will take longer before the Timberwolves are ready to make a deep run in a stacked Western Conference.

 

 

15. Dallas Mavericks

 

The Dallas Mavericks were heading into the season after a deep playoff run that saw them reach the Conference Finals in 2022. During the offseason, the Mavs traded Point Guard Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks but were able to trade for Center Christian Wood to fill in a much-needed vacancy at that position. During the season, Doncic had a career year averaging 32.4 points per game, shooting 49.6 percent from the field, and putting the entire team on his back. His greatest performance was a 63-point triple-double against the New York Knicks on December 27, which the Mavs won after Luka hit a crazy game-tying shot that sent the game to overtime. The Mavs season was going very well, but the franchise was still looking for a replacement for Brunson when they traded Shooting Guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Power Forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving. After Kyrie joined the team, Luka switched to Shooting Guard, and it looked like the Mavs were ready to make another deep run. However, in a tight Western Conference, the Mavs would lose four straight games and fall out of playoff contention. The Mavs averaged the second-fewest turnovers and drew the most fouls in the league, but they were bottom three in blocks per game and dead last in rebounding, indicating they need better interior depth outside Wood. Their current predicament may have been a case of bad timing, but this is also bad team chemistry between Luka and Kyrie that will take further time to develop before the Mavs are truly ready to return to competitiveness in the Western Conference. 

 

14. Los Angeles Clippers

 

The Los Angeles Clippers had a great year that saw the team finish fifth in the Western Conference and gain extra help to surround their dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. This most notably included Point Guard Russell Westbrook, whom they received late-season from the Los Angeles Lakers. Along with Westbrook, Norman Powell would also carry the help carry the load for the team in terms of scoring. The Clippers are a highly experienced team that can score efficiently, especially from behind the arc, where the Clippers were a top-three team in the league in three-point shooting, where Kawhi and recent acquisition Eric Gordon shot over 40 percent from the three-point line. Center Ivica Zubac would also lead the team in rebounds, blocked shots, and shot 63.4 percent from the field. Westbrook’s tenacious and aggressive play style helped provide the spark the Clippers needed to claim the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Additionally, PG, Kawhi, and Westbrook each averaged over a steal a game which boosted the Clipper’s perimeter defense. The Clippers are also a solid rebounding team, with PG and Kawhi averaging over 6 per game each. Westbrook leads the roster in assists. Overall, this Clippers team is very experienced and will be a tough test for any Western Conference matchup for the foreseeable future and have the potential to replicate their 2021 run to the Conference Finals if all goes well.

 

  

13. New Orleans Pelicans

 

The New Orleans Pelicans entered the regular season after taking the Phoenix Suns to six games and acquiring C.J. McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers late-season. Therefore, there were high expectations for the first full season of Power Forward Zion Williamson, Small Forward Brandon Ingram, and Point Guard C.J. McCollum, and the Pelicans wouldn’t disappoint, and for the most part of the season, they would far exceed expectations. With Zion healthy for most of the season, he went on a tear and led the Pelicans up to the one seed in the Western Conference with his athletic and aggressive interior scoring, but in typical Zion fashion, he got injured, and the Pelicans came crashing down to the point where they lost the play-in tournament and failed to make the playoffs. This Pelicans team was extremely strong, with Zion, Ingram, and McCollum averaging a combined 71.4 points per game and being one of the best trios in the league. Zion shot 60.8 percent from the field, and both Ingram and McCollum shot almost 40 percent from behind the arc. Shooting Guard Tre Murphy shot 40.6 percent from behind the arc and 90.5 percent from the free throw line while averaging over a steal per game. Sophomore Small Forward Herbert Jones is valuable as a lengthy defender and led the team in steals with 1.6, along with Sophomore Jose Alvarado intimidating his opponents on the perimeter. The Pelicans were top three in the league in steals per game, allowing them to force many turnovers. Overall, the Pelicans can use their diversified and strong offense with shooting depth to score easily while having the defensive depth to slow down their opponents. Expect a healthy Pelicans team to make a strong run next season and solidify a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

 

 

12. Cleveland Cavaliers 

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers were a young team that was one player away from being a serious competitor in the Eastern Conference when they traded for former Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell would immediately impact the Cavs and played the best season of his career, scoring 28.3 points per game on 48.4% from the field and almost 38.6 percent from behind the arc, including a 71-point double-double against the Chicago Bulls on January 2. He also led the team in steals along with Point Guard Darius Garland, who shot 41 percent from behind the arc, and Small Forward Caris LeVert, averaging a steal per game. The forte of the Cav's lineup was the frontcourt duo of Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Power Forward Evan Mobley and Center Jarrett Allen, who averaged over a block per game each. As a result, the Cleveland Cavaliers would record the lowest-scoring defense in the league, only allowing 106.9 points per game while also being top five in turnovers forced and field goal percentage. Allen shot 64.4 percent from the field, and Mobley shot 55.4 percent. This resulted in the Cleveland Cavaliers getting a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Overall, though the Cavs may be young, they are tough as nails and can go toe-to-toe with any powerhouse team in the league, and they will continue to be competitive in the Eastern Conference and make life hard for any team they play against.

 

 

11. New York Knicks

 

The New York Knicks traded with the Dallas Mavericks for Point Guard Jalen Brunson prior to the beginning of the season to pair up with Power Forward Julius Randle. During the regular season, the big three of Randle, Brunson, and Small Forward R.J. Barrett would carry most of the Knicks’ scoring output averaging a combined 68.7 points per game. The Knicks were among the top three teams in the lowest turnovers per game. Randle averaged a double-double for the season and dominated the glass, helping the Knicks to become a top-three team in rebounding mainly due to the frontcourt of Randle and Center Mitchell Robinson. Additionally, the Knicks would trade for Shooting Guard Josh Hart from the Portland Trail Blazers, who would team up with Brunson in the backcourt heading into the playoffs. During the season, Hart shot over 58.6 percent from the field and 51.9 percent from behind the arc, while Brunson shot 41.6 percent from behind the arc and almost 50 percent from the field as well. From the bench, Shooting Guard Quentin Grimes also averaged almost 40 percent from behind the arc. Additionally, Guard Immanuel Quickly averaged almost 14.9 points per game off the bench and added some perimeter defense to the team by averaging a steal per game. Robinson averaged 1.8 blocks per game while also being a skilled rebounder. The Knicks are a team that is playing their best brand of basketball since the Carmelo Anthony era of the early 2010s and win games mainly by efficient scoring and dominating the post. This team should be a lock for playoff contention as the backcourt duo of Brunson and Hart continues to develop, and the frontcourt remains intact and aggressive defensively.

 

10. Memphis Grizzlies

 

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team known for their extremely promising young core and great coaching, leading them to become one of the most competitive teams in the Western Conference. In the backcourt, Ja Morant is the main focal point of the offense, using his quickness to blow by defenders, attack the rim, and defend the perimeter, leading the team in steals per game. Shooting Guard Desmond Bane also averages about 40% from the three-point line, and both players, along with being efficient scorers, are also skilled rebounders in the backcourt and averaging almost 11 rebounds per game between the two of them. Defensive Player of the Year, Power Forward Jaren Jackson Jr., anchors the interior while scoring 50.6 percent from the field, being the team’s leading rebounder, and averaging three blocks per game, leading the league. Center Steven Adams adds extra size and is the team’s leading rebounder, averaging over a block per game. Off the bench, Shooting Guard Luke Kennard is the team’s best shooter averaging 52.6 percent from the field and 54% from behind the arc, while Point Guard Tyus Jones also adds solid shooting and perimeter defense as well. The Grizzlies were an extremely strong team defensively, finishing top three in the league for steals, blocks, and rebounds per game. Although the team had a solid regular season, it was overshadowed by off-the-court issues, mainly surrounding Ja Morant. Regardless, the Grizzlies are a scrappy team that annoys their opponents defensively and is a blur on the offensive end. The FedEx Forum, was the best homecourt advantage in the league this season, holding a home record of 35-6. Therefore, the Grizzlies are a mainstay in the NBA’s foreseeable future whether people like it or not.

 

  

9. Sacramento Kings

 

The Sacramento Kings had the greatest turnaround out of any team in the NBA this season, winning 18 more games than the previous season and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They also accomplished this feat while being the third seed in a stacked Western Conference and stretching the defending champion Golden State Warriors to a high-scoring seven-game series. Point Guard De’Aaron Fox leads the team in scoring, having the best year of his career, averaging 25 points per game and shooting 51.2 percent from the field. He also leads the team in steals averaging 1.1 per game. However, the offense's focal point for the Kings this season, without a doubt, has been Power Forward Domantas Sabonis, whom they received in an exchange with the Indiana Pacers for Tyrese Haliburton. Sabonis operates as a point-center, using his interior scoring, shooting 61.5 percent from the field, and runs the floor like a general leading the team in assists. Sabonis also led the league in rebounds averaging 12.3 per game. Rookie Small Forward Keegan Murray and Shooting Guard Kevin Huerter averaged over 40 percent from behind the arc. As a result, the Kings also finished as the highest-scoring team in the league and were also top three in both field goal percentage and assists per game. The Kings are a developing team that has clearly indicated the ability to control the game's pace and score efficiently while working as a collective unit to win games. The Kings are a team that will only gain more strength as this season prevails. Therefore, “Light the Beam!”.

 

 

8. Golden State Warriors

 

The Golden State Warriors have always been renowned for their fast-paced offense and impeccable three-point shooting in their backcourt. The Point Guard Stephen Curry and Shooting Guard Klay Thompson are still going strong, as they are both shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line and both averaged a combined 51.3 points per game. Curry’s quickness, ball handling, and mobility were on full display during the regular season and throughout the playoffs, while Thompson continued to be a consistent shooter, causing double trouble for any team that dares to test them. Small Forward Andrew Wiggins and Shooting Guard Jordan Poole also help to provide athletic scoring and extra perimeter defense. Power Forward Draymond Green and Center Kevon Looney are the team’s leading rebounders and best interior defenders, averaging 16.5 rebounds between them. However, a weak spot for this team is a lack of size in the post as Anthony Davis and LeBron James dominated them on the interior during the playoffs, and James Wiseman, who was supposed to be their franchise big, became injury prone. Age is also a major concern because many of their cornerstone players, like Curry, Klay, and Green, have surpassed the age of 30. However, the Warriors lead the league in assists per game at 29.8 and are top three in the league for both scoring and three-point percentage. The Warriors have been an offensive powerhouse for years, and if their big three remain healthy, the Warrior’s success will continue to be feared by defenses across the league.

7. Phoenix Suns

 

The Phoenix Suns went through a season of drastic change, especially since last season. This season the Suns struggled to a fourth-seed finish and lost 19 more games than the previous season. The backcourt duo of Shooting Guard Devin Booker and Point Guard Chris Paul remained the offense's focal point. Booker had the best scoring season of his career, averaging 27.8 points per game on 49.4 percent shooting from the field, while Booker and Paul combined for 14.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Center DeAndre Ayton would average a double-double in points and rebounds, leading the team in field goal percentage shooting 58.8 percent from the field. The Suns have remained efficient offensively and strong on the interior, as they were top five in the league for assists, blocked shots, and offensive rebounds per game. Later in the season, the Suns would trade their two best forwards, Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, with the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Power Forward Kevin Durant. During the handful of games that KD played for the Suns during the regular season, he shot 57 percent from the field and 53.7 percent from behind the arc, leading the team in three-point percentage. Durant was also effective on the defensive end, averaging 1.3 blocks per game, leading the team to a strong regular season finish. However, the lack of depth that the Suns had and facing a Denver Nuggets team that was stronger than ever cut their season short in the Conference Semifinals. There is also much uncertainty because though Booker is starting to reach his prime, KD and Paul are both over the age of 30, with Paul currently 38 years old. The Suns have reached a crossroads after hiring Frank Vogel to be their new head coach after getting rid of Monty Williams. Overall, the Suns have a strong and experienced offense that has been ready to compete for a championship but lacks the necessary depth to compete with other true contenders in the Western Conference. Their great ball movement, great three-point shooting, and dominant rebounding should keep them competitive for years to come, but they must rebuild proper depth and decide whether to build their offense around either Booker or KD to maintain proper team structure.

 

 

6. Milwaukee Bucks

 

The Milwaukee Bucks had an interesting season, to say the least. They successfully outlasted the preseason title favorite Boston Celtics to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They won 58 games, which gave them the league’s best overall season record by one game, and they won 7 more games than the previous season. The forte of this squad was their frontcourt, led by Power Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Defensive Player of the Year Candidate, Center Brook Lopez. Giannis had the best regular season of his career, averaging 31.1 points per game on 55.3% field shooting and a double-double in rebounds. Giannis would use his length and athleticism to zoom past defenders, throwing down vicious dunks offensively and shutting his opponents defensively. Lopez was a rock in the post for the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the team in blocks with 2.5 and playing a stretch five role because of his ability to shoot from behind the arc. This frontcourt and Bobby Portis helped the Bucks lead the league in rebounding with 48.6 rebounds per game. In the backcourt, they were led by Point Guard Jrue Holiday and Shooting Guard Grayson Allen. Holiday continued to use his size to bully smaller defenders and led the team in steals with 1.2 per game and assists with 7.4 per game, being a strong two-way player for the team. Allen was the team’s leading three-point shooter averaging almost 40 percent from behind the arc and adding extra value as a perimeter defender. Small Forward Kris Middleton played a good regular season being a consistent starter but led the Bucks in scoring during the postseason, indicating he could be returning to 100 percent amidst a lingering knee injury. There were high expectations for the Bucks to at least make a run back to the conference finals and rematch with the Celtics. The Bucks would face the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, who had a down year after being the one-seed the previous year themselves. However, in game one, Giannis suffered a lower back injury that would see him miss back-to-back games before returning for game four. However, the Heat was on fire as the Bucks had no answer for Jimmy Butler, and they would lose in five games. Successful head coach Mike Budenholzer got fired because of this defeat. The Bucks showed that they combined experience and physicality to control opponents by dominating the glass and playing aggressive defense. This will be an interesting season for the Bucks as they adapt to Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin being their next head coach and readjusting during the offseason to compete for another championship, hopefully.

 

5. Los Angeles Lakers 

 

The Los Angeles Lakers made major improvements from the beginning of the season. The Lakers initially started off the season winless at 0-6 and were one of the worst teams in the league at the beginning of the season before improving enough to win the seventh seed in the Western Conference and go on a deep playoff run that led them to the Conference Finals before getting swept by the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers were led by the dominant frontcourt duo of Small Forward LeBron James and Power Forward Anthony Davis, scoring 54.8 points per game combined. LeBron was a matchup nightmare like always, using his strength to bully defenders physically and was the team's primary playmaker on offense, while Davis proved himself as the league’s quintessential defensive anchor, doing everything from aggressive rebounding and using his quickness to swipe at defenders and block shots. Point Guard D’Angelo Russell and Shooting Guard Austin Reaves currently lead the backcourt. The Lakers got Russell in a late-season trade with the Timberwolves to replace Russell Westbrook, whom they traded to the Clippers. Both Russell and Reaves can score extremely efficiently, with Reaves shooting 52.9 percent from the field and Russell shooting 41.4 percent from behind the arc. The Lakers have developed strong depth with Small Forward Lonnie Walker IV and new acquisition, Power Forward Rui Hachimura providing an offensive spark from the bench, while Point Guard Dennis Schroder and Power Forward Jarred Vanderbilt have also provided the Lakers with extra defensive value. Additionally, the Lakers were one of the highest-scoring teams in the league and played as a complete unit that played strong defense without fouling and used an aggressive style of offense that drew many fouls. Therefore, expect the Lakers to make a comeback and re-establish themselves as a championship candidate next season.

 

 

4. Miami Heat

 

The Miami Heat have become the feel-good story of the NBA this season. They came into the season after finishing as the one seed in the Eastern Conference the season prior and reaching the Conference Finals, only to lose to the Celtics in a 7-game series. The Heat would take a sharp decline and lose nine more games than the previous season to finish as the eighth seed. The Heat still made a Cinderella run to the NBA Finals by dodging giants like the Milwaukee Bucks and gaining redemption on the Boston Celtics in the process. The Heat is mainly led by their leading scorer Small Forward Jimmy Butler, and Center Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. Butler is the face of this franchise, known for being a fierce competitor who will take over games with his clutch scoring, and he is also a tough defender on the perimeter, averaging 1.8 steals per game. Adebayo is the team’s main defensive anchor, and he is mainly known for using his athletic ability to secure rebounds and will drive to the basket with full force if any open space is left in the post. Both Butler and Adebayo also combined for three steals per game. In the backcourt, Point Guard Kyle Lowry adds experience and extra perimeter defense to the lineup averaging a steal per game, and Max Strus is a reliable three-point shooter, shooting 35 percent from behind the arc. Additionally, both Butler and Adebayo shot over 50% from the field. The Heat have also built strong shooting depth as Small Forward Caleb Martin and Forward Duncan Robinson shot over 40 percent from behind the arc during the playoffs, while Kevin Love and Max Strus provide extra shooting depth to an already loaded bench. Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent are their best bench players, as their scoring outputs helped lead the Heat to crucial wins, especially in the Boston Celtics series. The Heat were also top three in the league in scoring defense, and turnovers forced. The Heat is a resilient team that works together and wears their opponents down with their insane shooting depth and relentless grit, making them perhaps the most exciting team in the league right now. The Heat have built a serious title contender in the Eastern Conference, and it will be fun to watch them continue to grow and become stronger and dominate the Eastern Conference for the foreseeable future. 

 

 

3. Boston Celtics

 

The Boston Celtics had a great regular season, but given their lofty expectations for the postseason, it was a massive disappointment. The Celtics entered the season as the favorite to win it all this season after losing to the Golden State Warriors in last year’s finals. The Celtics are led by their duo of Small Forward Jayson Tatum, who had the best season of his career, averaging 30.1 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field, and both Tatum and Brown averaging 56.7 points per game combined. Brown also had the best scoring season of his career, averaging 26.6 points per game on almost 49.1 percent shooting from the field. Point Guard Marcus Smart added extra toughness on the perimeter and led the team in steals averaging 1.5 steals per game. Centers Al Horford and Robert Williams III averaged a combined 2.4 blocks per game on the interior. On the bench, Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White provided volume scoring from the bench, with Brogdon averaging 14.9 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting from behind the arc. As a team, the Celtics were top five in the league for scoring offense and free throw percentage and were also one of the league’s best three-point shooting, rebounding, and shot-blocking teams. The Celtics had everything they needed to win a championship, but a lack of urgency in the playoffs is what led to their ultimate demise. During the playoffs, the Celtics struggled against the Philadelphia 76ers and only won in seven games in a series where they were down 3-2 after Game 5 and lost their first three straight against the Miami Heat before deciding it was time to make a comeback. Although the Celtics could force another Game 7 at home, the Heat got the job done and ended the Celtic's season. Regardless, with the right coaching, the Celtics should improve next season, as this was their first season under interim head coach Joe Mazzula and they will continue to be championship candidates over the next couple of seasons as Tatum and Brown reach their primes.

 

 

2. Philadelphia 76ers

 

The Philadelphia 76ers were always a team that was extremely competitive in the Eastern Conference but struggled to get past the Eastern Conference semi-finals over the past couple of seasons despite having a stacked roster year in and year out. However, firing head coach Doc Rivers and replacing him with former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse may be the one major tweak the Sixers need to win a championship. The Sixers are led in the frontcourt by their dominant Center, Joel Embiid, who won the MVP award this season after leading the NBA in scoring with 33.1 points per game on 54.8 percent shooting from the field and averaging a double-double in rebounds, along with averaging 1 steal and 1.7 blocks per game defensively. In the backcourt, Shooting Guard James Harden was the team's main playmaker, averaging a double-double, leading the league in assists with 10.7 per game, and using his ball handling to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, while Point Guard Tyrese Maxey is the team’s best three-point shooter, shooting 43.8% from behind the arc. All three of these players average a combined 74.4 points per game and are easily the main focal point of the Sixer's offense. The Sixers also have strength and depth on their bench as Point Guard De’Anthony Melton has been extremely valuable as a consistent scorer and perimeter defender, averaging 1.6 steals per game, and have strong shooters as Small Forward Georges Niang and newly acquired Power Forward Jalen McDaniels are shooting over 40% from the three-point line. As a team, the Sixers led the league in three-point percentage with 38.7 percent and free-throw percentage with 83.5 percent and were also top three in the league in scoring defense and being one of the best teams in the league for field goal percentage. The Sixers have built up much momentum heading into this season, stretching the Boston Celtics to 7 games, and going up three games to two after game five. However, Harden is a free agent this offseason, and the Sixers must promise a winning season if this team stays intact. This team, The Sixers, is a team that runs an efficient offense that is extremely potent on the perimeter, controls the interior, and has all the tools needed finally win a championship, and especially get over the conference semi-finals hump.

1. Denver Nuggets

 

The Denver Nuggets are having a banner year this season as they won the top seed in the Western Conference with a 53-win record and made a five-game improvement on the previous season. This team revolves around Center Nikola Jokic is the league’s quintessential point-center, as he uses a combination of size, post moves, and shooting to destroy opponents effortlessly. Jokic also uses his vision to create endlessly for his teammates to make plays inside the post and on the perimeter. Jokic currently leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists, averaging a near triple-double for the regular season and the playoffs, including postseason averages of 30.1 points per game and 46.6 percent shooting from the three-point line. Point Guard Jamal Murray has taken over games during the playoffs with his rhythmic shooting, especially on the perimeter, and added extra value and has risen to the occasion when the Nuggets needed him the most, scoring 26.7 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting from behind the arc during the playoffs. Shooting Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Small Forward Michael Porter Jr. were their best three-point shooters during the regular season, averaging over 40 percent from the three-point line and remaining reliable scorers during the playoffs. Power Forward Aaron Gordon has added value as a strong athletic scorer whose aggressive style of play has complemented Jokic well on the interior. On the bench, Small Forward Bruce Brown provides extra depth as an extra scorer and perimeter defender. As a team, the Nuggets led the league in field goal percentage by shooting a combined 50.4 percent from the field, were top three in the league in assists, and were among the top five in the league for three-point percentage. The Denver Nuggets, put into simple words, is a sophisticated bully ball. They have the size and the strength to compete with anyone in the league and use their teamwork, experience, and lights-out shooting to obliterate them. The Nuggets are on their way to becoming the NBA’s and the Western Conference’s emerging dynasty, and it will be exciting for them to win more championships in the near future.