-Originally Published 11/5/21-
1) Brooklyn Nets
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 48-24, Eastern Conference Finals loss to Bucks (No Irving or Harden)
Ceiling: Kyrie Irving might be out in Brooklyn. It’s hard to imagine he hasn’t fractured his relationship with teammates and staff at this point whether he comes back or not after refusing the covid vaccine to this point. Kevin Durant and James Harden are enough to contend with the supporting cast. Patty Mills will probably start at point with Irving out and he’s a top addition. Joe Harris, Bruce Brown, Blake Griffin all return. DeAndre Jordan and Nicolas Claxton will rotate at center. Brooklyn was a toe away from eliminating the Bucks and moving to the finals without Kyrie and Harden last season, the roof is a championship.
What to Watch: This team has super star power, historically elite offense, enough defense and room for growth to improve. That’s without Kyrie. Watch two of the best offensive players in NBA history play whenever you get the opportunity.
Prediction: Champs
2) Milwaukee Bucks
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 46-26, Champs in 6 over Suns
Ceiling: A repeat. Donte DiVincenzo was out during the Championship run last season and his return will further strengthen the roster. Giannis Antetokounmpo should be considered one of the top-50 players of all-time at the age of 25. The core of Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Kris Middleton, and George Hill are all back. Seldom used Bobby Portis was forced to step up during the Finals and was a valuable contributor and an option to fit into the rotation. Grayson Allen is a welcome addition from Utah.
What to Watch: Depth was a question mark last season and should be again.
Prediction: East Finals
3) Utah Jazz
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 52-20, Lost in 2nd round to Clippers
Ceiling: Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale, Bojan Bogdanovic, 6th man of the year Jordan Clarkson, 6th man runner-up Joe Ingles, all return with Eric Paschall, and Hassan Whiteside providing reinforcements.
What to Watch: Mike Conley was missed when he was out last season. He’ll be key to this team maintaining its offensive and defensive prowess.
Prediction: Finals
4) Golden State Warriors
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 39-33, Play-in game loss to Grizzlies
Ceiling: Champs again. Stephen Curry tore down the league when healthy last season and nearly had the Warriors out of the play-in and into the playoffs. The time table for Klay Thompson’s return isn’t clear but whatever level he returns at could push them into the final. Draymond Green, Andre Igudala, Jordan Poole, Otto Porter Jr, Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, rookies Jonathan Kminga and Moses Moody make up a more talented rooster than the past couple seasons.
What to Watch: Steph is awesome but more contributors need to step as scoring options and reliable defenders.
Prediction: West Finals
4) Utah Jazz
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 52-20, Lost in 2nd round to Clippers
Ceiling: Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Donovan Mitchell, Royce O’Neale, Bojan Bogdanovic, 6th man of the year Jordan Clarkson, 6th man runner-up Joe Ingles, all return with Eric Paschall, and Hassan Whiteside providing reinforcements.
What to Watch: Mike Conley was missed when he was out last season. He’ll be key to this team maintaining its offensive and defensive prowess.
Prediction: West Finals
5) Phoenix Suns
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 61-21, Lost to Bucks in Finals
Ceiling: This squad can compete for a Championship again but the will the magic continue? Mikal Bridges was given a contract extension. Deandre Ayton hasn’t yet. Chris Paul isn’t getting any younger. Cameron Johnson looked good last season and vet Jae Crowder returns.
What to Watch: Booker and Ayton need to show they’re a superstar duo moving forward.
Prediction: Playoffs-2nd round
6) Miami Heat
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 40-32, 1st round loss to Bucks
Ceiling: Miami is due for a bounce back after adding Kyle Lowry to Jimmy Butler and PJ Tucker creating one of the most physical, aggressive, hard-nosed teams in the league. Bam Adebayo continues to grow and Tyler Herro fell off least season but will continue to improve as a wing with fellow youngin Duncan Robinson. A healthy Victor Oladipo will join in. Markieff Morris, Caleb Martin, and Dewayne Dedmon all add depth. This is a dangerous squad that can win the Championship again.
What to Watch: Lowry and Butler are the same aggressive temperament and that’ll probably work in this case. Herro and Bam struggled last season but a reboot should have this as a fun team to watch.
Prediction: Playoffs-2nd round
7) LA Lakers
Status: Championship Contender
20/21: 42-30, 1st round loss to Suns
Ceiling: LA rebuilt around Lebron and Anthony Davis by bringing 8 veterans to the roster. Russell Westbrook is the third star that will add scoring and stagger time with Lebron and AD off the floor. Vet Carmelo Anthony adds scoring. Dwight Howard is still a rim protecting center that’ll stagger time with Marc Gasol whose is a better shooter. Kendrick Nunn, Wayne Ellington, Trevor, Ariza, Malik Monk, and Ken Bazmore won’t all make the rotation but add another collection of wing options. For this team to succeed everyone has to play their role. Davis has to play some center, Westbrook has to defer and be selective in his shooting and whoever steps up into the key wing positions has to be able to hit big 3 pointers. It’s not the strong suit of the 3 stars. Health is the biggest obstacle.
What to Watch: How minutes are staggered with Lebron, AD and presumably Westbrook and Anthony running with the second unit. This could be the most exciting team in the league on a hot night with several future HOFers, friends and vets on the team.
Prediction: Playoffs-2nd round
8) Atlanta Hawks
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 41-31, Lost to Bucks in East Conference Finals
Ceiling: The Hawks fired Lloyd Pierce after a 14-20 start and Nate McMillian immedicably came in and pushed Atlanta to a 27-11 finish. The roster is stocked. Cameron Reddish didn’t even play for McMillian until the playoffs because he was recovering from injury and top defender DeAndre Hunter wasn’t healthy. With both in the fold and rookie Jalen Johnson jumping into the core of Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela, John Collins, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Herter, and bench vets Lou Williams and Danilo Gallinari this teams isn’t anywhere near its ceiling yet.
Prediction: Playoffs-2nd round
9) Denver Nuggets
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 47-25, 2nd round loss to Suns
Ceiling: Nikola Jokic won the MVP last season and will have the Nuggets pushing for a playoff run again. Hopefully Jamal Murry will recover and be with the squad again before the playoffs. Michael Porter Jr. was the healthiest he’s been since high school and looks the part of a star. A healthy Bol Bol will hopefully grow into a contributor. Trading for Aaron Gordon off the Magic last season gives the Nuggs another big time player to compete with the top of the West.
What to Watch: MPJ’s improvement. Superstar Jokic and Bol Bol if he gets time.
Prediction: Playoffs
10) Memphis Grizzlies
Status: Playoff Competitive
20/21: 38-34, First round lost to Jazz
Ceiling: Ja Morant and Xavier Tillman Sr and Desmond Bane were stars last season. If Jaren Jackson Jr can finally remain healthy this could be a difficult group to deal with. Steven Adams is a welcome veteran addition. Dillon Brooks and Kyle Anderson are great wings. This team knocked off the Warriors in a play-in game last week and could win a round this season.
What to Watch: Can Ja Morant and JJJ blossom into superstars?
Prediction: Playoffs
11) Boston Celtics
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 36-36, Lost in first round to Nets
Ceiling: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the two reliable pillars for a team capable of making a playoff run. Marcus Smart was re-upped for his defensive abilities and Robert Williams has been a force in the paint. Multiple pieces Kris Dunn, Carson Edwards, Al Horford, Enes Kanter, Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard, Josh Richardson, Dennis Schroder, Grant Williams and rookie Bruno Fenando look to be a threat on both ends of the floor for a team capable of making a run to the East Conference Finals.
What to Watch: Tatum has MVP buzz last season so Tatum and Brown should be able to make a run with this team if young players step in.
Prediction: Playoffs
12) Philadelphia 76ers
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 49-23, Lost in Hawks in 2nd round
Ceiling: Joel Embiid was in the MVP race last season and has is a top-10 player in the league. Ben Simmons has apologized to the team and might step away from the game leaving things in limbo.
Tobias Harris, Danny Green, Seth Curry, Matisse Thybulle, Tyrese Maxey, and new addition Andre Drummond are playoff capable. This team was supposed to be two superstars, a star (Harris) and a HOF coach (Doc Rivers) and a deep bench but its looking like one often injured superstar, a good player, a HOF coach on the hot seat and a solid bench.
What to Watch: Embiid could make a run at MVP. Maxey could develop into a stud.
Prediction: Playoffs
13) LA Clippers
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 47-25, Lost to Suns in Western Conference Finals
Ceiling: Kawhi Leonard is recovering from serious injury for the second time in his career and again we have no timetable for return. Paul George was shooting lights out to being last season and figures to have more of a burden this season. Most of the role players in Nicolas Batum, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Terrance Mann, Marcus Morris Sr, and Ivica Zubac return and Eric Bledsoe was brought in as well. A team expected to battle in-house against the Lakers for a Championship suddenly looks like a first round playoff exit without Leonard.
What to Watch: Can Paul George hit another level and carry the Clippers on his back?
Prediction: Playoffs
14) Chicago Bulls
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 31-41
Ceiling: Major moves were made in bringing in DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Tony Bradley. Rookies Ayo Dosunmu from Illinois and Coby White are young pieces. Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Nikola Vucevic, last season’s trade haul, make up a whole new group. This team is has been rebuilt with competing for the East in mind. This can be a playoff team with the talent that could win a round.
What to Watch: Chemistry and roles. DeRozan has to find a role and LaVine doesn’t have to be the sole scorer anymore. Caruso should be a nice add. Vucevic didn’t get a chance to provide much last season.
Prediction: Play-in game. Playoffs.
15) Dallas Mavericks
Status: Playoff Competitive
20/21: 42-30, Lost in first round to Clippers
Ceiling: Luka Doncic will again look to drag this roster through the regular season and playoffs. Jalen Brunson and Tim Haradaway are top scoring threats. This team trapped with Kristaps Porzingis and his significant drop off but massive contract. If they can’t find a way to move him they’ll be stuck again this season. Sterling Brown, Reggie Bullock, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kieber, Dwight Powell are all contributors. Jason Kidd wasn’t a good coaching hire either. It’s possible this goes real south and this team doesn’t make the playoffs at all but they should.
What to Watch: Superstar Luka Doncic. Hopefully his coach and teammates don’t sabotage an elite player.
Prediction: Play-in game. Playoffs.
16) Portland Trail Blazers
Status: Playoff Contender
20/21: 42-30, First round loss to Nuggets
Ceiling: Damian Lillard has turned down trade rumors but the pressure will be on if the Blazers struggle again this season. CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic are his top running mates. Norman Powell, Robert Covington, Derrick Jones Jr, Nassir Little round out a group expected to help Lillard win the West. A run to the Western Conference Finals like 2019 is possible but not probable.
What to Watch: Appreciate Lillard for the dominate scorer that he is and watch him while he’s around.
Prediction: Play-in game. No playoffs.
17) New York Knicks
Status: Playoff Competitive
20/21: 41-31, First round loss to Hawks
Ceiling: A projected bottom-5 team in the league last season the Knicks stunned everyone. AJ Barrett and Manuel Quickley will continue to improve. Obi Toppin must adjust to the NBA. Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, and Kemba Walker will be heathy stars and Nerlans Noel, and Evan Fournier will be top contributors.
What to Watch: Can this team sustain or will they regress after overachieving last season? Under Thibodeau they slowed play (30th in pace) and were the top defense in the league (104.7) in points allowed. If that play slips they probably don’t have the firepower to keep up with everyone.
Prediction: Play-in game. Playoffs
18) Charlotte Hornets
Status: Building
20/21: 33-39
Ceiling: LeMelo Ball helped elevate this team when he was on the floor last season. Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier, PJ Washington and all took turns exploding for career high nights in points as the Hornets were the most entertaining team in the league. Gordon Hayward was banged up but can add another dimension to the team when healthy, which seems unlikely at this point in his career. Last season’s draft pick Vernon Carey Jr and this season’s rookie Kai Jones will hopefully give them a big man to work with. This squad could surprise and lock in a top 6, avoiding a play-in game, if development is ahead of schedule.
What to Watch: LeMelo Ball and Miles Bridges chemistry. They’re an awesome watch and two key pieces to the building process.
Prediction: Play-in. No Playoffs.
19) Minnesota Timberwolves
Status: Building
20/21: 23-49
Ceiling: The Timberwolves are looking to compete in the playoffs this season if the trio of Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards can hit their ceiling. The problem is KAT’s defense, ANT’s youth and Russell’s inconstancy. Josh Okogle, Naz Reid, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley provide a solid group of role players but this group has to play defense and crave to improve and compete. The tools have been here but they’ve sucked much like the Kings.
What to Watch: Defense
Prediction: Play-in game. No Playoffs.
20) Indiana Pacers
Status: Building
20/21: 34-38
Ceiling: The Pacers just missed the playoffs last season and were knocked out of the first round the previous five years. Talented again with Malcom Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, returning Caris Levert, and flash-in-the-pan TJ Warren hitting the floor as the key pieces this team again has no superstar, or surefire star, to hang their hat on. Myles Turner will probably be traded as they try to free up money for changes in the future. Torrey Craig, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, TJ McConnell are all key contributors. Another 1st round playoff exit is the cap again.
What to Watch: 6th in score at 115.3 per clip last season they should score again. They also give up, you guessed it, 115.3 per game. 25th in the league.
Prediction: Play-in game. No playoffs.
21) Cleveland Cavaliers
Status: Building
20/21: 22-50
Ceiling: Drafting Collin Sexton and Darious Garland in back-to-back drafts raised the question if the two could play together. The moniker “Sexland” is fantastic but Sexton’s rookie deal doesn’t look like it’s going to be extended and he’ll probably be moved for pieces to complement Garland and rookie Evan Mobley. Larry Nance Jr, Jarrett Allen, 2nd all-rookie team member Isaac kore and vet Ricky Rubio will all be contributors for a team that could be in the play-in for the playoffs. This team is headed in the right direction but the East will be tough this season. Kevin Love is still dead weight and championship level moves probably can’t be made until cap space freed up by the two years remaining on his contract become available. If growth by the young players is stunted or a couple guys don’t pan out that could be a setback but these team is still looking at a bottom-10 record in the league even if they have the talent of a middling team.
What to Watch: Sexton, Garland, and Mobley’s development.
Prediction: Lottery
22) Sacramento Kings
Status: Rebuilding/Tanking
20/21: 31-41
Ceiling: De’Aaron Fox and Tyese Haliburton are excellent young guards that probably won’t be able to play together. Marvin Bagley will probably need be moved or he’ll walk at the end of the season and Buddy Hield was nearly moved to the Lakers. Hopefully staying is improving Richaun Holmes, Harrison Barnes, and rookie Davion Mitchell. It a perfect world the all these guys stay and develop under Walton and push into the playoffs. But this is Sacramento, in a constant state of flux, rebuilding and not competing in the west.
What to Watch: Presumably Haliburton, Homes, and Mitchell are three pillar of the future. Walton will probably be out after this season for a competent coach. Keep an eye on the play of these three.
Prediction: Lottery
23) Washington Wizards
Status: Building/Tanking
20/21: 34-38
Ceiling: Bradley Beal managed to stay on the roster and pieces have been put into place to alivate the pressure, help build, and hopefully keep him in tow. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Spencer Dinwiddle are two vets that’ll add scoring. Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma are in from LA to hopefully flesh out the rotation. Rui Hachimura and rookie Corey Kispert hope to be cornerstones for the future.
What to Watch: Bradley Beal will continue to put on heroic performances while he’s on the roster. If the pieces come together he might even stay. Can this squad stay (fun and) competitive?
Prediction: Lottery
24) San Antonio Spurs
Status: Rebuilding
20/21: 33-39
Ceiling: The question is how much longer is Pop going to coach? Dejoute Murray, Lonnie Walker, Derrick White, and Devin Vassell are promising young pieces but this team isn’t very talented. Young pieces will hopefully keep the Spurs in position for a play-in game but this team is probably going to get buried in the West.
What to Watch: The improvement of young guys to see which will
Prediction: Lottery team. No play-in game.
25) Toronto Raptors
Status: Building
20/21: 27-45
Ceiling: The Raptors played in Miami last season due to Canadian covid protocol. Kyle Lowrey is out but Fred VanVleet, OG Anumoby, Pascal Siakam, Stanley Johnson, Cameron Payne, Norman Powell are all returning veterans. Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic have been added along with rookie Scottie Barnes. The squad should rebound and be involved in a play-in game but doesn’t have the talent to compete.
What to Watch: The development of Precious, Barnes and Anumoby are going to be huge with Vanleet hopefully a pillar for the future. Siakam’s status will be huge as well. The Raptors would like him to be part of the core but he’s from “star” to “above average” pretty quick and could be traded.
Prediction: Out of Playoffs
26) New Orleans Pelicans
Status: Building
20/21: 31-41
Ceiling: Zion surprised everyone when he stated he would be recovering from foot surgery for an injury suffered over the summer. His return status is unknown. The rest of the roster is a hodgepodge of parts for first year coach Willie Green Brandon Ingram figures to be the second star and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Devonte Graham, Josh Hart, Kira Lewis Jr, Jaxon Hayes, and Jonas Valanciunas are the primary contributors. Can some combination of Hayes, Valanciunas, and Zion play together? Are Graham, Hart and Lewis going to be reliable guard?
What to Watch: When the fuck will Zion be back? Can this team work around him? All the pieces on the roster don’t fit. There are already questions on whether Zion will ask out sooner than later if a team can’t be built around him.
Prediction: Lottery
27) Houston Rockets
Status: Tanking
20/21: 17-55
Ceiling: #2 pick Jalen Green and reclamation project Kevin Porter Jr blends with John Wall, Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, Daniel House Jr, and Kenyon Martin Jr to form a fun, squad that pushes teams every night. Playoffs aren’t anywhere in sight. John Wall stepping up as a contributor would either be excellent for him to increase his trade value and contribute while he’s still a Rocket. This is a lottery team.
What to Watch: Rookie Jalen Green as he is given full command to shoot away.
Prediction: Lottery team. Bottom-5
28) Orlando Magic
Status: Tanking
20/21: 21-51
Ceiling: Rookie Jalen Suggs, rookie Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, Ignas Brazdelkis, Wendell Carter Jr, Michael Carter-Williams, Markelle Fultz, RJ Hampton, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac. A few vets and several teams that hopefully show more potential. This is going to be one of the worst teams in the league. Every player on the roster has question marks. If Jalen Suggs is the best player on the roster by seasons end is that the best outcome? Cole Anthony has been iffy in season one. Wendell Carter has been ok. Mo Babma has been a zero. Harris and Isaac have injury issues and Fultz….has a list of issue he seems to have overcome but we have no record of consistency. By seasons end if Suggs is good, Anthony and Bamba improve and Fultz, Isaac and Carter are building blocks it’ll be a raging success.
What to Watch: Even in losing efforts this could be a fun team to watch with lots of young potential.
Prediction: Lottery
29) Detroit Pistons
Status: Rebuilding
20/21: 20-52
Ceiling: Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Luka Garza, Isaiah Livers, and Killian Hayes are all young hopeful centerpieces to the rebuild. Jerami Grant was a revolution last season and will hopefully continue his solid play and role as a veteran leader.
What to Watch: Cade Cunningham. The hopeful savior of the franchise.
Prediction: Bottom-5, Lottery
30) Oklahoma City Thunder
Status: Tanking
20/21: 22-50
Ceiling: A few pieces become part of the rotation moving forward with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the star and Darius Bazley, Tony Bradley, Luguentz Dort, Theo Maledon, and Isiah Roby all looking promising. With somewhere around 30 draft picks in the next 6 years it’s possible that none of these players are on the roster for long.
What to Watch: Shai? This team might be dead last on the “watchability” power rankings.
Prediction: The squad was competition last season and will be again while landing in the lottery.
