Northwest Division:
Denver Nuggets-
Projected Depth Chart: Jamal Murray, Isaiah Thomas
Gary Harris, Malik Beasley
Will Barton, Torey Craig, Juancho Hernangomez
Paul Millsap, Trey Lyles
Nikola Jokic, Mason Plumlee
Key Additions- Isaiah Thomas
OUTLOOK: The Nuggets had a promising season last year, but their expectations didn't live up to their promise as Paul Millsap went down with an injury early in the season, and despite this they still were 1 game from a playoff berth. This year, they don't have as much of a glut at each position with players expecting to play a specific amount of minutes, as their roles seem more defined and there is more of a hierarchy with their starting 5 and bench unit. I think this is the year we finally see this team find their identity, score a ton of points, and easily make the playoffs, possibly as a top 4 seed.
Biggest Question- Will Denver be just good enough defensively to vault into a top 4 seed?
PROJECTED SEED: 5th
Minnesota Timberwolves- Projected Depth Chart: Jeff Teague, Tyus Jones
Derrick Rose, Josh Okogie
Andrew Wiggins,Luol Deng, CJ Williams
Taj Gibson, Anthony Tolliver
Karl Anthony Towns, Gorgei Dieng Key Additions- Josh Okogie OUTLOOK: Until Jimmy Butler is traded, it's very difficult to determine the lower seeds in the playoff picture in the Western Conference, but I think that it's safe to say that no matter who they get back for Butler, they're not going to have anywhere near the impact that he did for this team last season. This season looks like it's only going to end up resulting in one thing: a major overhaul to the TWolves Management, and coach Thibs looking for work again.
Biggest Question- Can KAT lift this mismanaged team into the playoffs?
PROJECTED SEED- 12th Oklahoma City- Projected Depth Chart:
Russell Westbrok, Dennis Schroder, Ray Felton
Andre Roberson, Alex Abrines, Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot
Paul George, Terrance Ferguson
Patrick Patterson, Jerami Grant
Steven Adams, Nerlens Noel Key Additions- Dennis Schroder, Nerlens Noel OUTLOOK: OKC had one goal this past off season, which was to sign PG13 to a long term extension, which they accomplished, and they also somehow traded Melo while receiving value in return in Dennis Schroder, who will be playing a role that he was made for in being a change of pace, high volume point guard off of the bench. They also signed Nerlens Noel, who should fit seamlessly in OKC's uber athletic 2nd unit. They will be an extremely tough out in the playoffs, as they had one of the highest defensive ratings in the NBA when Roberson was on the floor last season.
Biggest Question- Can they play Schroder in crunch time 5 man units, or will they have to sacrifice spacing for defensive versatility again?
PROJECTED SEED- 4th
Portland Trail Blazers- Projected Depth Chart:
Damien Lillard, Wade Baldwin, Anfernee Simons
CJ McCollum, Seth Curry, Nik Stauskas
Mo Harkless, Evan Turner, Jake Layman
Al Farouq Aminu, Caleb Swanigan
Jusuf Nurkic, Zach Collins, Meyers Leonard Key Additions- Seth Curry OUTLOOK: Portland may suffer from what Masai feared if he kept the same roster going into this season, which is a roster has playoff fatigue and feels like they're playing out the season to seemingly lose the same way in the playoffs, rinse, repeat. They didn't address their core weaknesses due to Neil Olshey tying up their cap in bench fodder with Turner and Leonard, and they didn't try to take a risk by trying to sign Boogie, and rather stood pat with Nurkic. I think that this will be the last season that we see the Dame and CJ back court together, which is a shame because they could have been a contending team if they were able to get one more star to play with those two players if they hadn't made awful personnel decisions two years ago. Biggest Question- Will Portland make a major move at the deadline, or will they wait until the off season to make a major move? PROJECTED SEED- 9th
Utah Jazz- Projected Depth Chart:
Ricky Rubio, Dante Exum, Raul Neto
Donovan Mitchell, Thabo Sefolosha, Alec Burks, Grayson Allen
Joe Ingles, Royce O'Neale
Derrick Favors, Jae Crowder
Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Ekpe Udoh Key Additions- No one OUTLOOK: Utah didn't make any moves this off season outside of re-signing all of their key free agents in Exum and Favors, and they should be a team that makes a major step in becoming a contender in the West with their internal improvement, superb coaching, and stellar depth. The Jazz has a very good core with their starting 5, and Mitchell and Gobert continuing to lead this team and get better this season. I think that they have a real chance of catapulting into being the 2nd best team in the conference this year.
Biggest Question- Can Utah be GSW's next big test in the West? PROJECTED SEED- 3rd
Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors- Projected Depth Chart: Stephen Curry, Shaun Livington, Quinn Cook
Klay Thompson, (Patrick McCaw), Jacob Evans
Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala
Draymond Green, Jonas Jerebko
Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell, (DeMarcus Cousins) Key Additions- DeMarcus Cousins, Jonas Jerebko OUTLOOK: The Warriors added DeMarcus Cousins to a already historically great starting lineup. Once he returns from injury, they'll have the most talented starting 5 on paper in NBA history. Their only weakness this season may be how well DMC meshes once he returns, and if he can guard at a decent level come playoff time. If he doesn't, and he doesn't play in crunchtime, his patience and character will be tested yet again, and if he doesn't accept his role on this team, GSW may have some decisions to make come playoff time...
Yet after saying all of this, they're still a huge favorite to threepeat this season. Biggest Question- Which team will provide the biggest test against the Warriors come playoff time? PROJECTED SEED: 1st
LA Lakers- Projected Depth Chart: Rajon Rondo, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso
Kentavious Caldwell Pope, Josh Hart, Svi Mykhailiuk
Brandon Ingram, Lance Stephenson
LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Michael Beasley
Javale Mcgee, Michael Beasley, Moritz Wagner, Ivica Zubac Key Additions- Rajon Rondo, Javale Mcgee, Lebron James OUTLOOK: The Lakers added the best player in the NBA, and rumors will continue to swirl around their team this season about impending free agents and future trade targets. After they struck out in the PG13 and Kawhi sweepstakes, they decided to sign a bunch of veterans on one years deals and pursue new free agents and potential trade targets next off season. This year, the Lakers will need to determine who they want to keep in their young core, and it would be in their best interests to play their younger players more minutes than the 1 year players, though it's to be determined if that will be the case if LeBron doesn't trust them as the season progresses. Biggest Question- Can the Lakers play the full regular season without a big man who can play at least 20 effective minutes per game?
PROJECTED SEED- 6th
LA Clippers- Projected Depth Chart: Patrick Beverley, Shea Gilgeous Alexander, Milos Teodosic
Avery Bradley, Lou Williams, Jerome Robinson
Danilo Gallinari, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Sindarius Thornwell, Tyrone Wallace
Tobias Harris, Mike Scott
Marcin Gortat, Montrezl Harrell
Key Additions- Shea Gilgeous Alexander, Jerome Robinson OUTLOOK: The Clippers are in a transition year with a bunch of players who are expecting to play, but they don't have many players that they can count on to produce month to month due to durability and consistency issues. They built this team with an eye on 2020 free agency, looking to make a big splash in a deep pool of star players, so it's pretty unlikely that they'll make a big move this season unless they can trade for one of their future targets right now for a discounted cost.
Biggest Question- Will the Clippers make a trade for Jimmy Butler? PROJECTED SEED- 13th Phoenix Suns- Projected Depth Chart: Isaiah Canaan, Shaquille Harrison, DeAnthony Melton, Elie Okobo
Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Troy Daniels
Josh Jackson, TJ Warren
Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Dragan Bender
DeAndre Ayton, Tyson Chandler, Richaun Holmes
Key Additions- Trevor Ariza, Mikal Bridges, DeAndre Ayton
OUTLOOK: The Suns added to their core of young players by drafting Ayton, and acquiring Bridges in a draft day trade. Due to them not addressing their PG position, and their team having a plethora of wing players, it seems extremely likely that they will experiment with Booker at the 1, which is an experiment worth trying to improve his ball handling and decision making in a year where they're just aiming to developing their young players and tanking for another high lottery pick. Biggest Question- Can DeAndre Ayton learn the defensive schemes quickly enough to avoid being one of the worst defensive big men/highest foul rate players in the NBA this season? PROJECTED SEED- 14th Sacramento Kings- Projected Depth Chart:
DeAaron Fox, Frank Jackson
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Buddy Hield, Yogi Ferrell
Justin Jackson, Ben McLemore
Marvin Bagley III, Nemanja Bjelica, Skal Labissiere
Willie Cauley Stein, Harry Giles, Zach Randolph, Kosta Koufos Key Additions- Marvin Bagley, Nemanja Bjelica
OUTLOOK: The Kings need two of Fox, Bagley, and Giles to become high level starters in order to be in playoff contention in 2-3 years. It's been so long since this team made the playoffs and had any direction, and I truly feel sorry for Kings fans. On the bright side, they have one of the best commentating crews in the NBA. Biggest Question- Can Harry Giles be in ROTY contention after being one of the most hyped High School players ever, despite having 2 major knee surgeries in recent years? PROJECTED SEED- 15th
Southwest Division(SOUTHWEST DIVISION PREVIEW PODCAST- http://stretch4pod.libsyn.com/website/southwest-division-preview): Dallas Mavericks- Projected Depth Chart: Dennis Smith Jr, Devin Harris, Jalen Brunson
Wes Matthews, JJ Barea,
Harrison Barnes, Dorian Finney Smith
Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki, Max Kleber
DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Powell, Salah Mejri Key Additions- Luka Doncic, DeAndre Jordan OUTLOOK: The Mavericks made a calculated gamble by moving up in the draft to acquire Luka Doncic, the 19 year old wonderboy. They also added DeAndre Jordan 4 years later, who should fit seamlessly with a pick and roll heavy offence. This team had major issues closing out games last season, and normally bringing in a rookie decision maker wouldn't improve this major area of concern, but Doncic was the most accomplished young player coming into the NBA at 19 years old, and he has shown wisdom beyond his years. Even if the Mavs don't make the playoffs this season(which I think that they can if they make a move to improve their depth), they will be one of the most interesting league pass teams this season with an extremely bright future. Biggest Question- Will Doncic win ROTY and help the Mavericks become a playoff team as soon as this season? PROJECTED SEED: 10th
Houston Rockets-
Projected Depth Chart: Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, Michael Carter Williams
James Harden, Eric Gordon
James Ennis, Carmelo Anthony Gerald Green
PJ Tucker, Carmelo Anthony
Clint Capela, Nene, Marqueese Chriss Key Additions- James Ennis, Carmelo Anthony OUTLOOK: The Rockets added Carmelo for the vet minimum this off season, and by all indications, it looks like they plan to bring him off of the bench this season. I believe that he will have a bounce back year after a brutal year with OKC in 2017-18, as he will have more rhythm spot up opportunities with Houston, and he will also have numerous opportunities to be the number one scorer against bench units this season. The addition of James Ennis will not be as big of a downgrade as many believe in comparison to Ariza, especially at the expected values of their role given the amount of money each of them will earn this upcoming season. They look to have made the Anderson/Chriss deal with their eye on the trade deadline in adding one more wing player, but they should be a very good regular season team regardless, and an extremely tough out come playoff time again this season.
Biggest Question- Will the Rockets make a move at the deadline to improve their wing rotation? PROJECTED SEED: 2nd
Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Depth Chart: Mike Conley, Andrew Harrison, Mario Chalmers
Dillon Brooks, Wayne Selden, Marshon Brooks
Kyle Anderson, Chandler Parsons,
JaMychal Green, Jarren Jackson Jr, Omri Casspi
Marc Gasol, Ivan Rabb
Key Additions- Kyle Anderson OUTLOOK: The Grizzlies continue to delay their inevitable painful rebuild by hanging on to Marc Gasol, and continuing to build around him and Conley despite their limited roster depth and overall talent. If Mike Conley continues to have Achilles issues, this team will undoubtedly have another lottery season, and they will find themselves in a worse situation than they are currently in, with an even older Gasol, and an injury riddled starting PG with no value with his massive contract. If both Conley and Gasol are healthy, this team will be in contention for a playoff seed, but at this point, that seems extremely unlikely given their teams injury history. Biggest Question- Will the Grizzlies blow up their roster and trade Gasol, and potentially Conley as well(same question as last year)? PROJECTED SEED: 11th New Orleans Pelicans
Projected Depth Chart:
Elfrid Payton, Frank Jackson, Jarrett Jack
Jrue Holiday, Ian Clark,
E'Twuan Moore, Darius Miller, Solomon Hill
Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle,
Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Cheick Diallo
Key Additions- Elfrid Payton, Julius Randle OUTLOOK: The Pelicans made significant changes to their rotation by adding Julius Randle, and essentially swapping Rondo for Payton. Payton has a lot to prove this upcoming season, as he will need to play significant meaningful minutes for a potential playoff team for the first time in his career, and although Rondo has his faults, Payton will have big shoes to fill since Rondo had such a positive impact on this team from a leadership standpoint, especially on offence. The Pelicans are still extremely thin on the wing, but their talent and depth in the front court should once again continue to help mask that against most of the non elite teams in the league.
Biggest Question- Can Anthony Davis once again drag this team on his back to the playoffs in a tough Western Conference? PROJECTED SEED: 8th
San Antonio Spurs-
Projected Depth Chart: DeJounte Murray, Patty Mills, Derrick White
DeMar Derozan, Marco Belinelli, Bryn Forbes
Rudy Gay, Lonnie Walker
LaMarcus Aldridge, Davis Bertans, Dante Cunningham
Pau Gasol, Jakob Poeltl Key Additions- DeMar Derozan, Marco Belinelli, Jakob Poeltl OUTLOOK: The Spurs decided to rebuild on the fly rather than blow up their roster after the Kawhi Leonard situation unfolded, in an attempt to remain a playoff team during Pops remaining years as Head Coach. This will be his toughest test in terms of coaching a roster to a playoff seed in a deep Western Conference in 20+ years, as the Spurs extremely limited spacing in their starting 5 unit especially will likely be a big issue since their best players games seem to overlap. They also got worse defensively, which has been a big part of their identity during their run with Pop, something they may not be able to consistently rely on with slower, smaller, or older players at key positions. Biggest Question- How will Pop manage to get this mid range happy team into the playoffs yet again? PROJECTED SEED: 9th |