-Originally published 12/22/20-
1) Milwaukee Bucks
2) Miami Heat
3) Brooklyn Nets
4) Philadelphia 76ers
5) Boston Celtics
6) Toronto Raptors
7) Indiana Pacers
8) Washington Wizards
_____________
9) Atlanta Hawks
10) Orlando Magic
11) Chicago Bulls
12) Charlotte Hornets
13) Detroit Pistons
14) Cleveland Cavaliers
15) New York Knicks
Atlantic
Boston Celtics
Last Season 48-23
Lost to Miami Heat 4-2 in Eastern Conference Finals
Projected Starters:
PG *Kemba Walker (20.4 ppg, 3.9 reb, 4.8 ast, .5 blk, .9 stl, 42.5% fg%, 38% 3p%)
SG *Marcus Smart (12.9 ppg, 3.8 reb, 4.9 ast, .5 blk, 1.7 stl, 37.5 Fg%, 34.7% 3p%)
SF *Jaylen Brown (20 ppg, 6.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.1 stl, 48% Fg%, 38% 3p%)
PF *Jayson Tatum (23.4 ppg, 7 reb, 3 ast, .9 blk, 1.4 stl, 45%, 40% 3p%)
C *Daniel Theis (9.2 ppg, 6.6 reb, 1.7 apg, 1.3 blk, 56 fg%, 33.3% 3p%)
The Celtics came up short of the Finals again last season, but saw a jump for Jayson Tatum that has him on MVP watch this season and saw him sign a massive deal to be the building block of the future. The Celtics flipped around a number of 1st round picks and ended up with Aaron Nesmith, a 6’6 guard (23 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 51% fg%, 52% 3p%-last season) from Vanderbilt and Payton Pritchard (13.5 ppg, 3.8 reb, 4.6 ast, 43.7 fg%, 37.9% 3p%), a 6’2 guard from Oregon. We’ll see if either gets much time after last season’s trio of 1st round picks: Carson Edwards, Romo Langford, (occasionally Taco Fall) and Grant Williams saw limited time and not much has freed up with all the starters returning for the C’s.
The Boston Celtics did very little in the offseason deciding to trade Enes Kanter (8.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and let Gordon Hayward get paid elsewhere and signing Tristan Thompson (12 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 ast) and Jeff Teague (10.9 ppg) in their place. Teague is 32 now but was still a solid contributor in 17 starts and off the bench for Minnesota and Atlanta. Kemba Walker is out until January recovering from stem cell injection in his left knee. Teague should start in his absence. Thompson averaged a double-double and shot over 50% on a dead Cleveland team last season.
The young core of Tatum, Brown and Smart determine the ceiling for this team. They play defense, they have depth, Tatum is a potential MVP, and plenty of young guys have room for growth to expand what this team is capable of.
Brooklyn Nets
Last Season 35-37
Lost to Toronto Raptors 4-0 in first round
Projected Starters:
PG *Kyrie Irving (27.4 ppg, 5.2 reb, 6.4 ast, 1.4 stl, 47.8 fg%, 39% 3p%-20 games)
SG *Caris LeVert (18.7 ppg, 4.2 reb, 4.4 ast, 1.2 stl, 42.5 fg%, 36.4% 3p%)
SF *Joe Harris (14.5 ppg, 4.3 reb, 2.1 ast, 48.6% fg% 42.4% 3p%)
PF Kevin Durant (26 ppg, 6.4 reb, 5.9 ast, 1.1 blk, 52%, 35% 3p%-2018/19)
C *Jarrett Allen (11 ppg, 9.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.3 blk,, 65% fg%)
Two off seasons in the making we finally get to see Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving together plus the coaching debut of Steve Nash. Mike’Dntoni will be an assistant for what should be a high scoring offense. The starting five will be one of the best in the league. Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan essentially split time at center last season (25.5 and 22 minutes-per-game respectively). Kyrie only played 20 games due to injury and didn’t play in the bubble. Brooklyn brought in Landry Shamet (9 ppg, 37.5% 3p%), Bruce Brown (9 ppg, 4.7 reb, 4 ast), and Jeff Green (9 ppg) to round out a bench unit that includes Spencer Dinwiddie (20 ppg, 6.8 ast), Taurean Prince (12 ppg, 6 reb), and DeAndre Jordan (8 ppg, 10 reb, 66% fg%). The real question is whether or not multiple picks and players will be packaged for James Harden or another star player. I don’t think that’ll be the case, it would dismantle this solid roster in order to bring in another ball dormant scorer beside Irving and take the ball out of Durant’s hands all together (not to mention the other ten guys on the roster).
New York Knicks
Last Season 21-45
Projected Starters:
PG Immanuel Quickley (Rookie-Elfrid Payton will probably start season)
SG *RJ Barrett (14 ppg, 5 reb, 2.6 ast, 1 stl, 40% fg%, 32% 3p%)
SF Obi Toppin (Rooke)
PF *Julius Randle (19.5 ppg, 9.7 reb, 3 ast, 46% fg%, 27.7% 3p%)
C *Mitchell Robinson (9.7 ppg, 7 reb, 2 blk, 74% fg%)
The NY Knicks are doing something smart for once, punting on a season. With some young players in place (RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Kvin Knox, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Ignas Brazdeikis, Immanuel Quickley) the Knicks decided not to sink money into no-name free agents and will have money going forward. Immanuel Quickley was grabbed out of Kentucky at the end of the 1st round and hopefully he’ll develop into something as he’s the only guard with staying power on the roster. Veteran Elfrid Payton (10 ppg, 4.7 reb, 7 ast, 1.6 stl) was re-signed and vets Alec Burks (15 ppg, 4 reb, 3 ast, 38% 3p%) and Austin Rivers (8.8 ppg, 2.6 reb, 35% 3p%) were brought in with Dennis Smith Jr (5.5p/2r/3a) and Frank Ntilikina (6p/2r/3a) both holdovers and young guys that haven’t panned out as expected. Quickley won’t start a point but ideally he’s competent enough to start at some point in the season.
RJ Barrett will play mostly shooting guard again with more depth at forward. Kevin Know is slowing falling out of favor in NY with a logjam of talent at his position. Barrett can slide up, Toppin can slide up, and Julius Randle looks the part of a quality contributor. Ignas Brazdeikis could be a solid contributor as well. Mitchell Robinson is awesome and only plays 23 minutes-per-game but could log more if he continues to develop and can stay on the floor.
Philadelphia 76ers
Last Season 43-30
Lost to Celtics 4-0 in 1st round of Playoffs (Ben Simmons hurt)
Projected Starters:
PG *Ben Simmons (16.4 ppg, 7.8 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl, 58% fg%)
SG Danny Green (8 ppg, 3 reb, 41% fg, 36.7% 3p%)
SF Matisse Thybulle (4.7 ppg, 42% fg%, 35.7% 3p%)
PF *Tobias Harris (19.6 ppg, 7 reb, 3 ast, 47% fg%, 36.7% 3p%)
C *Joel Embiid (23 ppg, 11.6 reb, 3 ast, 1.3 blk, 1 stl, 47.7 fg%, 33% 3p%, 80% ft)
What a stellar offseason for the 76ers. Doc Rivers and Darrel Morri and the new head coach/GM duo and they did the best possible job making upgrades with the major contracts on the books. Talk of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid being “unplayable” together is at an all-time high and it falls on the shoulders of these two to figure it out. Al Horford and Josh Richardson (and the hefty contracts) are gone. Neither flourished offensively and both bogged down the lineups on the floor. Thybulle will get more minutes and continue to play a defensive role as the other personal swaps improve the three point shooting in Danny Green and Seth Curry. Dwight Howard (7.5 ppg, 7 reb, 1 blk, 73% fg%) will, I think, be a reliable backup when Embiid is off the floor (or has to take a night off) but really you don’t want that. Tyrese Maxey was grabbed with the 21st pick and could be one of the biggest steals of the draft. Shake Milton (9 ppg, 48% fg%, 43% 30%) will start to lose minutes as he comes along.
This will be an awesome team to watch. If Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid stay together and a trade isn’t made to bring another start in (James Harden) the pieces that were moved in and out will make the team fun to watch. Curry and Green will help the offense flow and I excited to see what Maxey will do. This team could make the Eastern Conference Finals.
Toronto Raptors
Last Season 53-19
Lost 4-3 to Celtics in 2nd round
Projected Starters:
PG *Kyle Lowry (19 ppg, 5 reb, 7.5 ast, 1.4 stl, 41.6% fg%, 35% 3p%)
SG *Fred VanVleet (17.6 ppg, 3.8 reb, 6.6 ast, 41% fg, 39% 3p%)
SF *OG Anunoby (10.6 ppg, 5 reb, 1.4 stl, 50.5% fg%, 39% 3p%)
PF *Pascal Siakam (23 ppg, 7 reb, 3.5 ast, 1 stl, 45% fg%, 36% 3p%)
C Aron Baynes (11.5 ppg, 5.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 48% fg%, 35% 3p%)
Gone are Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. Pascal Siakam and newly re-signed Fred VanVleet are primed to be the two main pieces of the future. Aaron Baynes was brought in and his new skills as a three point shooter, something he couldn’t do earlier in his career, will be appreciated. Norman Powell (16 ppg, 3 reb, 49.5% fg%, 40% 3p%) will again be the top option off a thin bench. Terence Davis (7.5 ppg, 3 reb, 45% fg%, 38% 3p%) will probably see his role expanded the most from just under 17 minutes in 72 games a year ago. Pascal Siakam will probably play more center when they go small. This is still a quality team and they’ll be a middle seed in the playoffs. Health and depth are concerns but this should be one of the better defense teams in the league. The core of Lowry, VanVleet, and Siakam have played several years together now and they’ve proven they can pilot this team comfortably to the playoffs.
Central
Chicago Bulls
Last Season 22-43
Projected Starters:
PG Coby White (13 ppg, 3.5 reb, 2.7 ast, 39 Fg%, 35 3p%)
SG *Zach LaVine (25.5 ppg, 4.8 reb, 4.2 ast, 45 Fg%, 38 3p%)
SF *Otto Porter Jr (11.9 ppg, 3.4 reb, 1.8 ast, 44 Fg%, 38 3p%)
PF *Lauri Markkanen (14.7 ppg, 6.3 reb, 1.5 ast, 42 Fg%, 34 3p%)
C *Wendell Carter Jr (11.3 ppg, 9.4 reb, 1.2 ast, 53 Fg%)
Billy Donovan will be the new coach in Chicago and hopefully the guy to finally shape the young roster and point them in the right direction. Denzel Valentine (6 ppg, 2 reb, 1 ast), Thomas Satoransky (10 ppg, 4 reb, 5 ast, 47 Fg%, 37 3p%) and Cristiano Flicio (4 ppg, 4 reb, 63 Fg%) are the vets off the bench with Chandler Hutchison (8 ppg, 4 reb), Daniel Gafford (5 ppg, 2.5 reb, 1.3 blk, 70 Fg%), Ryan Arcidiacondo (4.5 ppg, 2 reb, 41 Fg%, 39 3p%) and rookie Patrick Williams hopefully key pieces with the starting core. Coby White is primed to start and take on more of a scoring role and much has been expected for seven footer Markkanen as he enters his 4th season. Patrick Williams was a surprise pick at #4, he didn’t start for Florida State in his single season but won ACC Sixth Man of the Year and has a seven foot wingspan on a 6’8 frame and can play multiple positions. This season will be a development year for the Bulls but they could win 30+ games and surprise if Donovan can find a good rotation and some of these young guys come along, they have the pieces.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Season 19-46
Projected Starters:
PG *Darius Garland (12.3 ppg, 1.9 reb, 3.9 ast, 40 Fg%, 35.5 3P%)
SG *Collin Sexton (20.8 ppg, 3.1 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 47 Fg%, 38 3p%)
SF Issac Okoro (Rookie)
PF *Kevin Love (17.6 ppg, 9.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 45 Fg%, 37 3p%)
C *Andre Drummond (17.7 ppg, 15.2 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.7 blk, 2 stl, 53 Fg%)
Are Garland and Sexton really the future? Will Love or Drummond be traded? The bench is Kevin Porter Jr., Cedi Osman, and Larry Nance Jr. and veteran cast-offs like Matthew Dellavedova, JaVale McGee, and Dante Exum (still only 25 surprisingly). Love is clogging over 25% of the salary cap this season and 19% next. This team just hopes to have 3-4 players from this roster pan out and still be on the team in a couple years. Garland, Sexton, Okoro, Porter Jr – watch those guys, the rest don’t matter. We’ll surely see a trade or two and some G-league guys you’ve never heard of playing by the end of the year.
Detroit Pistons
Last Season 20-46
Projected Starters:
PG Killian Hayes (Rookie-Derrick Rose will probably start season)
SG Delon Wright (6.9 ppg, 3.8 reg, 3.3 ast, 1.2 stl, 46 Fg%, 37 3p%)
SF Jerami Grant (12 ppg, 3.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 47 Fg%, 39 3p%)
PF *Blake Griffin (15.5 ppg, 4.7 reb, 3.3 ast, 35 Fg%, 24 3p%-18 games)
C Mason Plumlee (7.2 ppg, 5.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 61.5 Fg%)
Detroit is still strapped under Blake Griffin’s massive contract that’s tacking up over 31% of the cap this season. It’s a shame that he’s clogged up the cap and can’t stay healthy, because his game has evolved to add a three-point shot and he has the ability to handle the ball and play some point-forward. When his contract is up in a couple years and he’s looking for one more mid-level contract to close out his career a championship contender is going to get a steal on a well rounder role player that can push a team towards a trophy. As it stands, way too much money was dumped into signing Grant and Plumlee in the offseason. The players under contract in the 2022-2023 season (after Griffin’s contract is off the books and the team has flexibility) are rookies Killian Hayers, Saddiq Bey, Isiah Stewart, 2019 rookies Sekou Doumbouya and Deividas Sirvydis plus Grant and Plumlee. I don’t see how those two are part of the plans for the future. Derrick Rose has an expiring contract and both his play and pay will be an attractive trade pieces that can be swapped for building blocks. Next season, in the last year of Blake’s contact, he will be an attractive expiring to trade as well so the rebuild really starts next season when the Pistons can start to cash in picks and a we have this season to gauge which of this first wave of young guys will be the building blocks going forward. This team isn’t going to be much fun to watch this season, check back next year.
Indiana Pacers
Last Season 45-28
Lost to Miami Heat 4-0 in 1st round (Victor Oladipo Injured)
Projected Starters:
PG *Malcom Brogdon (16.5 ppg, 4.9 reb, 7 ast, 43 Fg%, 32 3p%)
SG *Victor Oladipo (14.5 ppg, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 39 Fg%, 31.7 3p%-19 Games)
SF *T.J. Warren (19.8 ppg, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.2 stl, 53.6 Fg%, 40 3p%)
PF *Domantas Sabonis (18.5 ppg, 12.4 reb, 5 ast, 54 Fg%, 25 3p%)
C *Myles Turner (12 ppg, 6.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.1 blk, 45.7 Fg%, 34.4 3p%)
Now off to the Atlanta Hawks of the late 2000s-early 2010s. A team that makes the playoffs every season comfortably and never has a shot to win the Championship. The Pacers are a blue-collar lets-power-through-and-knock-people-out attitude. Sabonis is now an all-star and Oladipo is back healthy and that makes a huge difference, but this team just isn’t making a playoff run against the top of the East. They tied for 2nd highest FG% at 47.6% last season, 7th in assists (25.9), tied for 10th in blocks (5.2), and was top-5 in fewest turnovers per-game (12.7) so they’ll be solid.
Milwaukee Bucks
Last Season 56-17
Lost to Miami Heat 4-1 in 2nd round
Projected Starters:
PG Jrue Holiday (19 ppg, 4.8 reb, 6.7 ast, 1.6 stl, 45.5 Fg%, 35 3p%)
SG Donte DiVincenzo (9.2 ppg, 4.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.3 stl, 45.5 Fg%, 33.6 3p%)
SF *Khris Middleton (20.9 ppg, 6.2 reb, 4.3 ast, 1 stl, 49.7 Fg%, 41.5 3p%)
PF *Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.5 ppg, 13.6 reb, 5.6 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 55 Fg%, 30 3p%)
C *Brook Lopez (12 ppg, 4.6 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.4 blk, 43.5 Fg%, 31 3p%)
No team in the East made as many off-season moves as Milwaukee. In an attempt to show Giannis they can compete and convince him to re-sign after the season the Bucks moved Eric Bledsoe and George Hill to the Pelicans for Jrue Holiday. It seems they’ve killed the depth on the team making it hard to identify which 2-3 bench players will help push them through the playoffs. Free agent additions D.J. Augustin, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig and Bobby Portis join Pat Connaughton and D.J. Wilton to make up the bench unit. They’ll power the Bucks through the regular season but no one looks to be especially threating for opposing defenses or an any additional skillset off the bench that would be a great attrition to push the team past Miami, Philadelphia, Toronto, Brooklyn in late Eastern playoff rounds.
The Bucks lead the NBA outscored opponents by 10ppg last season (Clippers were 2nd at 6.4), owned a +6.1 FG%, and +5.9 rebounds edge, all top of the league in running through the regular season but the Western Conference is getting more difficult. Brooklyn will compete for the title and Washington and Atlanta will add depth. Giannis has been schemed out of games before and his supporting cast hasn’t been enough to support him. He can’t shoot outside allowing teams to pack the paint against him and he hasn’t shown that he can operate out of certain schemes and I don’t know that the upgrades will push the Bucks to a Championship. This will be a fun team to watch, they’ll play defense, they have shooters, Giannis is still a monster, but this team only cares about a Championship and they’re going to come up short.
Southeast
Atlanta Hawks
Last Season 20-47
Projected Starters:
PG *Trae Young (29.6 ppg, 4.3 reb, 9.3 ast, 1.1 stl, 43 Fg%, 36 3p%)
SG Bogdan Bogdanovic (15.1 ppg, 3.4 reb, 3.4 ast, 1 stl, 44 Fg%, 37 3P%)
SF *De’Andre Hunter (12.3 ppg, 4.5 reb, 1.8 ast, 41 Fg%, 35.5 3P%)
PF *John Collins (21.6 ppg, 10 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.6 blk, 58 Fg%, 40 3p%)
C *Clint Capela (13.9 ppg, 13.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.8 blk, 63 Fg%)
Atlanta is ready to push for the playoffs behind Trae Young. Capela was shipped in from Houston last season but didn’t get an opportunity to play. He’ll be an excellent addition and rim runner for the Hawks. Bogdanovic adds a star that can score with Young and Colln. Hunter was drafted out of Virginia last season to help with the teams poor defense and figures to improve in year 2. Off the bench rookie Onyeka Okongwu could be an awesome, athletic forward in a similar mold to Collins. He gained a lot of traction heading into the draft and Hawks grabbed him at 6. Third year marksman Kevin Huerter (12 ppg, 4 reb, 4 ast, 38 3p%) will be the 6th man and second year man Cam Reddish (10.5 ppg, 3 reb, 1.5 ast, 1 stl) needs to shoot better (38 Fg%, 33 3p%). The Hawks have also brought in a solid group of veteran guys in Rajon Rondo (7p/3r/5a), Danilo Gallinari (18p/5r/2a), Tony Snell, Solomon Hill, and Kris Dunn. Young is the worst point guard defensively in the league and Dunn is one of the best. On the defensively end they’ll be better than the almost 120 ppg given up last season. There are some good teams ahead of the Hawks in the East and I think it’ll be another year before they could win a playoff sears, but this team has made smart moves and will win some games.
Charlotte Hornets
Last Season 23-42
Projected Starters:
PG LaMelo Ball (Rookie)
SG *Devonte Graham (18.2 ppg, 3.4 reb, 7.5 ast, 1 stl, 38 Fg%, 37 3p%)
SF Gordon Hayward (17.5 ppg, 6.7 reb, 4 ast, 50 Fg%, 38.3 3p%)
PF *PJ Washington (12.2 ppg, 5.4 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 45.5 Fg%, 37.4 3p%)
C *Cody Zeller (11 ppg, 7 reb, 1.5 ast, 52 Fg%)
The Hornets continue rebuilding mode with LeMelo ball, PJ Washington, Devonte Graham (last season’s most imporved player). Young guys Malik Monk (10 ppg, 3 reb, 2 ast), Miles Bridges (13 ppg, 5 reb), and the Martin twins (Cody 5p/3r/2a and Caleb 6p/2r/1a) will hopefully be part of the rebuild. Vets Cody Zeller, Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier (18 ppg, 4 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 40 3p%), and Bismack Biymbo (7 ppg, 5 reb, 1 blk) will all have their contributions. Hayward adds offense and leadership, Rozier and Biymbo defense. The Hornets way overpaid Hayward with a four year $120 million dollar contract that they’ll certainly regret. I’m not sure who else was offering the almost 31-year-old often injured former all-star $30 million per-year. It potentially ties their hands from re-signing their young guys should a few of them pop and prevents them from signing other free agents. In exchange, they get a player that ideally moves to the bench if Bridges or Monk continues to improve and stays healthy (fingers crossed). They will be feisty and an underrated watch with Bridges dunks, Ball’s passing, Hayward free to return to Utah Jazz form and lots of young guys hopefully building towards a future playoff team, but they’ll be one of the worst teams in the NBA.
Miami Heat
Last Season 44-29-Lost to Lakers 4-1 in the Finals
Projected Starters:
PG *Goran Dragic (16.2 ppg, 3.2 reb, 5 ast, 44 Fg%, 36.7 3p%)
SG *Duncan Robinson (13.5 ppg, 3.2 reb, 1.4 ast, 47 Fg%, 44.6 3p%)
SF *Jimmy Butler (20 ppg, 6.7 reb, 6 ast, 1.8 stl, 45.5 Fg%, 24.4 3p%)
PF *Meyers Leonard (6 ppg, 5 reb, 51 Fg%, 41 3p%)
C *Bam Adebayo (16 ppg, 10.2 reb, 5 ast, 1.3 blk, 1 stl, 55.7 Fg%)
The Heat will be in a great position to navigate the Eastern conference and content for a Championship again. The new additions include Maurice Harkless (defense), Avery Bradley (ball handling, outside shooting), and rookie Precious Achuwa (defense). Tyler Herro (13.5 p/4r,2a/39 4p%) was a steal in the draft last season and undrafted Kendrick Nunn (15p2r/3a/35 3p%) was a huge find. Andre Iguodala and Kelly Olynyk return to the bench as well. Adebayo signed a massive extension to lock him in as the face of the franchise going forward. His passing ability allows the offense to run through his hand, he can defend multiple positions, and is a consistent shooter. Dragic’s ability was a huge loss when he missed significant finals time last season. Miami continues to be one of the best organizations in the NBA and professional sports in identifying talent and developing talent. This will be a fun team to watch.
Orlando Magic
Last Season 33-40-Lost to Milwaukee 4-1 in the 1st round
Projected Starters:
PG *Markelle Fultz (12 ppg, 3.3 reb, 5 ast, 1.3 stl, 46.5 Fg%)
SG *Evan Fournier (18.5 ppg, 2.6 reb, 3.2 ast, 1 stl, 46.7 Fg%, 40%)
SF James Ennis III (6.6 ppg, 3.6 reb, 44 Fg%, 35 3p%)
PF Aaron Gordon (14.4 ppg, 7.7 reb, 3.7 ast, 44 Fg%, 31 3p%)
C Nikola Vucevic (19.6 ppg, 11 reb, 3.6 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 48 Fg%, 34 3p%)
Vucevic and Fournier are top of the “Best Players You’ve Never Watched” list. Markelle Fultz is continuing to rebuild his shooting motion but he gained confidence last season and looks promising. Aaron Gordon’s home is probably not in Orlando but he has two years left on his deal, Fournier is an expiring. Orlando hasn’t been in trade talks recently nor have they been in contention for anything, they’re going to have to decide what to do with these two. Jonathan Isaac would have started in place of Ennis giving the Magic a solid starting five, but he suffered a horrible knee injury and he’s out for the season and that could effectively change the Magic’s plans for the season. The depth isn’t great. Lottery pick Cole Anthony from UNC will log big minutes, Michael Carter-Williams was productive last season (7p/3r/2a) after bouncing around the league his entire career it looks like he found a fit. Terrence Ross (14p/3r/35 3p%) will be the 6th man. Mo Bambo (5p/5r/1b/34 3p%) and 2019 1st rounder Chuma Okeke (missed last season with ACL injury) will be expected to make an impact. This will be a squad fighting for one of the last playoff spots at the end of the season.
Washington Wizards
Last Season 25-47
Projected Starters:
PG Russell Westbrook (27.2 ppg, 8 reb, 7 ast, 1.6 stl, 47 Fg%, 26 3p%)
SG *Bradley Beal (30.5 ppg, 4.2 reb, 6 ast, 1.2 stl, 45.5 Fg%, 35 3p%)
SF Davis Bertans (15.4 ppg, 4.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 43 Fg%, 42 3p%)
PF *Rui Hachimura (13.5 ppg, 6 reb, 1.8 ast, 46 Fg%, 29 3p%)
C *Thomas Bryant (13.2 ppg, 7.2 reg, 1.8 ast, 1 blk, 58 Fg%, 40 3p%)
Washington was one of the few teams that had the ability to match contracts for Westbrook, so they did, and flipped John Wall who hasn’t played in two years and a heavily protected 1st round that probably won’t be collected on until 2026. Westbrook and Beal make Washington a playoff team in the East. Hachimura has Draymond Green like effort, Davis Bertans was an underrated free agent signing Troy Brown Jr (10 ppg, 5 reb, 34 3p%), Rookie Deni Avdija are great young guys off the bench. Robin Lopez floated around the Bucks bench last season behind his brother but could add a few minutes here as could point guard Raul Neto who was buried on the 76ers depth chart last season. Part of the Wiz Kids youth movement are Moritz Wagner, Cassius Winston and underrated undrafted rookie Yoeli Childs. Childs averaged 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 22 points on almost 50% shooting from 3 for BYU last season. He could be a surprise G-league story in a couple years. I think this team will surprise the league and win some games they shouldn’t and they’ll land comfortably in the playoffs.
