“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” USA Basketball said in a statement.
“He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it’s in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
Things however became interesting when Leonard’s replacement was named with reports Boston Celtics guard Derrick White had earned the call up.
Derrick White got the call up. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesNo room for you Jaylen. Nick Cammett/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
The decision to go with White as the 12th man seemingly didn’t sit well with fellow Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown.
Brown is coming off his best season in the NBA where he won the Finals MVP after Boston defeated the Dallas Mavericks to win the title.
After news broke that White had been selected to replace Leonard, Brown took to social media where he posted three emojis looking through a monocle.
He followed that up a few hours later with a more direct message as he wrote: “@nike this is what we doing?”
Brown later deleted the post where he targeted Nike in the wake of his Olympics snub.
Jaylen Brown was seemingly not happy after being overlookedSource: Supplied
While Brown has every right to be upset after being overlooked, White has earned his place with his defensive abilities likely landing him the spot.
White is an elite defensive and two-way player who earned All-Defensive team honours for a second consecutive season.
His inclusion in the 12-man squad means the Celtics have three players heading to the Olympics with White, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday.
Team USA are chasing a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, in a run of dominance that has seen them win seven out of the past eight Olympics.
They will line up in Group C at the Olympics where they’ll go up against Puerto Rico, South Sudan and Serbia.
Group B consists of Brazil, France, Germany and Japan while Group A has Australia, Canada, Greece and Spain.
Ahead of the Olympics taking place Team USA will lock horns with Australia in Abu Dhabi with the match to take place on July 16 (AEST).
Winning an NBA championship can change everything.
For Denver last season, its inaugural title vaulted the already highly-regarded Nikola Jokic into elite company while it perhaps did even more for Jamal Murray, who feared a torn ACL made him “damaged goods”.
The year prior it was Golden State and a dynasty reborn. Revived, not just by the superstar trio that had been there all along, but the emergence of new talent too.
And in 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first-ever NBA title, led by one man — Giannis Antetokounmpo — who proved in an era of superteams that you can do it the hard way.
For Boston, while the 4-1 series win over Dallas capped off one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history, it all starts and finishes with two players.
Buzzer beater puts Mavs on the brink | 00:38
Because as much as this is a different Celtics team to the one that has come up short in the past few seasons, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have been the two constants in this era of Boston basketball.
On Tuesday when Brown was crowned Finals MVP after a dominant five-game stretch which saw him average 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and play elite defence, he was a hero.
But eight years ago when he was first introduced to the city of Boston, drafted by the Celtics with the third overall pick, the reception could not have been more different.
“That’s probably the worst one [reaction] I’ve gotten,” Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said at the time, with many in the crowd at Boston’s draft party at TD Garden booing the pick.
And that was just the start for Brown, who told reporters ahead of Game 4 against Dallas that when “you get scrutinised enough for a large part of your career, it becomes normal”.
“It’s kind of been that my whole career in a sense,” Brown added.
“Just being booed when you were drafted to saying you were overpaid, saying you were overpaid again. It’s been that the whole journey for me.
“It just becomes another headline.”
Jaylen Brown poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The headlines were there every time the Celtics couldn’t get over the hump, with talking heads debating that Brown and Tatum needed to be broken up — that Boston couldn’t be a genuine championship contender until one of the two emerged as the clear best player.
But sometimes there doesn’t need to be a clear best player, a true No. 1 option, for a team to win a championship.
Sometimes, more important than having that one player capable of putting the team on his back is having that one player who is capable of doing that but instead finds other ways to make an impact.
That was the case with Tatum in this year’s Finals series. The buckets weren’t always falling. But even if Tatum is a great scorer, the Celtics needed more than just that anyway if they were to win the championship.
They needed Tatum the playmaker and the five-time All-Star provided that, dishing out 12 assists in Boston’s Game 2 — just one short of his postseason record — and 11 in Game 5.
While Tatum’s first instinct has often been to take the shot, even if it wasn’t a great look, it was proof of his growth and maturity as a player and a leader that he understood in a team loaded with scoring options, he didn’t need to be that guy.
That guy that other people have long told him he needed to be.
“Think so?” Tatum said, smirking, when a reporter said he had probably been the “most scrutinised” player during this year’s playoffs.
With time and experience, Tatum has come of age. Brown too.
No.18! Boston crowned champs again! | 01:59
They have been on this journey together, even before Tatum got drafted to Boston in what was only Brown’s second year with the franchise.
Brown remembers a phone call from former Celtics executive Danny Ainge. He was in Spain. Málaga or Cordoba, to be specific.
“One of the two,” Brown said, adding it was around 4am.
“Don’t ask me why I was up. But Danny calls me, and he asked me, how do you feel about Jayson Tatum?
“I remember I played with him at camps, Top 100 camp. He was my roommate at the KD Elite Camp. We played on the same team in so many different [teams] — the Under Armour All-American game, we were roommates again.
“So it was like, I had a lot of experience with him. I played with him on the same team and there was a lot of respect. I said, I think it’s a great choice.
“Fast forward from there, we’ve been winning ever since.”
Jaylen Brown has come a long way. Elsa/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Although it was the periods where they weren’t winning that were the most important in putting Brown on the path to hoisting the Larry O’Brien and Bill Russell trophies.
First came the series against Golden State, who ended up going on to win the championship in 2022. But not before stealing Game 4 in Boston, after the Celtics had a chance to go up 3-1 in the series.
Then Boston went down in a seven-game series against Miami, who had to fight its way through the play-in tournament to even book a spot in the postseason in the first place.
Brown had eight turnovers and went 8-for-23 from the floor in Game 7 and looking back on that 103-84 loss in Boston, he described it as “embarrassing”. Embarrassing but motivating.
“I mean, last year, just falling short on your home floor, it definitely hurt. It was embarrassing, in my opinion,” Brown said.
“I felt like the team was relying on me. JT [Tatum] got hurt in Game 7 and I dropped the ball. To me, it was embarrassing. It drove me all summer, drove me crazy.
“In moments of embarrassment, in moments of coming up short, falling short is where the most growth takes place.”
Holiday stars as Boston down Mavs | 02:17
That growth has been most apparent on the defensive side of the floor, setting a goal to make the first team All-Defense and while that didn’t end up happening there was little doubting Brown took serious strides this season to improve his defensive versatility and all-round application.
It showed in the games where it mattered most.
But as much as Brown is right to point out that “experience is the best teacher”, he also made a concerted effort to stress this is a “new team” to the one that had fallen short in the past.
“All year long we’ve been hearing about the Celtics are the past, for the last six to eight months, that’s all we’ve been hearing is all the different shortcomings we’ve had in the past,” he said.
The criticism was valid. The Celtics had tripped up at the final hurdle in recent years. There were genuine concerns about how Boston would fare in clutch situations.
Tatum and Brown have been playing together for the Celtics since 2017. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But that was the old Celtics. A team that didn’t have an elite two-way player in Jrue Holiday, or a disruptive big man like Kristaps Porzingis, who changed the complexion of the series in the first two games.
They didn’t have this version of Derrick White either, with ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reporting on Friday he is a “prominent replacement candidate” for Team USA in the upcoming Olympics should Kawhi Leonard be unavailable due to his knee injury.
Wojnarowski added that extending White is a “priority” for the Celtics this summer, with the guard eligible for a contract extension worth $126 million over four years and otherwise set for free agency in 2025 if the two parties can’t come to an agreement.
Tatum, meanwhile, is also eligible for a supermax, five-year extension this summer worth around $315 million which would see him pass teammate Brown for the league’s richest contract.
Jrue Holiday was a smart addition. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
More than anything though, like the Nuggets of last season, this is a star-studded Celtics team that plays ego-free basketball.
That selfless playing style lends itself to elite ball movement that allows its role players to shine, with Xavier Tillman even splashing a 3-pointer — his first of the playoffs — in Game 3.
“I think that’s why the transition for me was really easy,” Tillman, who was traded to Boston earlier this season, said.
“Knowing that Jrue Holiday was an All-Star last year and he’s playing the role that he’s playing now and he’s not complaining. He’s working hard, he’s dedicating himself to the team day in and day out.
“It makes it a lot easier for a guy like myself to come in every day with that same attitude of wanting to better myself so I’m ready when I’m needed.”
The same goes for Porzingis, who was given the nickname of ‘The Unicorn’ by Kevin Durant back in 2016 and bounced around from New York to Dallas and then Washington before finding his home in Boston.
Kristaps Porzingis was a force on both ends (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“He’s seen a lot, he’s seen it all,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
“He’s seen success. He’s seen tough times. He knows what the league is all about. I think at this point in his career, winning is the most important thing.”
Boston did plenty of that during the regular season, finishing 64-18 to post its first 60-win campaign since 2008-09.
There was no guarantee everything would come together when it mattered most, having benefited from a relatively soft route to the Finals against teams without superstar names.
But when one of the Celtics’ own superstars went down and they travelled to Dallas for Game 3 with Porzingis unavailable, Boston still found a way to get the job done.
That, as it has all season long, started with being selfless and willing to sacrifice.
“I know sometimes talent doesn’t always mesh together. This does,” Holiday said.
“You saw it during the regular season. You’ve seen it throughout the playoffs, how any given night everybody is just unselfish.
“I feel like we sacrifice for each other. That’s kind of what makes it go.”
And that started with Tatum and Brown.
Celtics president Brad Stevens was told to break them up. Told that their skillsets overlapped too much, as if having two explosive, skilled and young wing players in the modern NBA was a bad thing.
“Give Brad Stevens a tonne of credit,” Doris Burke said after Boston’s Game 5 victory.
“Because how many years was it relentless? Break them up. They can’t play together. They can’t get over the mountaintop because their skillsets cross over too much.
The Boston Celtics have secured a record 18th NBA title, winning the Finals series 4-1 over the Dallas Mavericks and star guard Jaylen Brown was named the Finals MVP.
“It was a full team effort,” Brown said as he accepted the Finals MVP trophy named for Celtics legend Bill Russell.
The 27-year-old averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in five Finals games and delivered a strong defensive effort against Dallas star Luka Doncic, the regular-season scoring leader.
“I share this with my brothers and my partner in crime Jayson Tatum — he was with me the whole way so we share this together,” Brown said.
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No.18! Boston crowned champs again! | 01:59
The Celtics claimed their first title since 2008. They had reached the finals in 2022 only to come up short against the Golden State Warriors and last season they agonizingly failed to get back to the championship series, falling to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.
On a mission this season, the Celtics won a league-leading 64 regular-season games.
They swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals — Brown earning MVP honors in that series, too.
Brown, in the first year of a mammoth five-year, $286 million contract extension with the Celtics, earned his third All-Star nod, but it was Tatum, not Brown, most often pointed to as the team’s top star.
Snubbed for All-NBA honors and by selectors for the US Olympic basketball team for Paris, Brown now has the honor he really craved — an NBA title — and the Finals MVP to go with it.
Brown, who was taken third overall in the 2016 draft, shared a long, heartfelt embrace with Tatum as the final moments of the 106-88 clinching victory ticked off.
Brown said he’d left doubts from previous playoff misses go this season. “I never hung my head,” he said.
Re-live the announcement of the 2024 Finals MVP in our blog below!
The point guard, arguably the best player in the Eastern Conference this season — and certainly the best guard — was left off the 11-man Olympic roster revealed Tuesday by ESPN.
The U.S. guards are Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Stephen Curry. Of that group, Curry and Haliburton have yet to win a gold medal.
Brunson, who has had a better NBA season than all those players, was on the U.S. World Cup squad last summer that disappointed and failed to medal.
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He was outplayed during the tournament by Haliburton, but coach Steve Kerr said recently he was “high on our list” for the Paris Olympics.
Apparently not high enough.
The other players to make the cut are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis while Kawhi Leonard was later revealed on Wednesday to be the final addition to the roster.
Josh Hart was also part of the Olympic pool after participating in the World Cup but wasn’t a serious contender for a spot in Paris.
Giddey wins top seed, Lakers still alive | 01:38
Brunson, meanwhile, closed his landmark NBA season with another Player of the Week honor after averaging 38.5 points over the final four games.
It was the fourth time this season Brunson won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week and fifth since joining the Knicks — the most for the franchise since Carmelo Anthony.
The Knicks went 4-0 in the final week. Brunson shot 51 percent, including 50 percent from beyond the arc.
He’s also the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for March.
LeBron James (Lakers), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Kevin Durant (Suns), Joel Embiid (76ers), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Devin Booker (Suns), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Jrue Holiday (Celtics), Bam Adebayo (Heat), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Kahwi Leonard (Clippers)
This article first appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid were named among a 41-strong player pool for the USA’s 2024 Olympics basketball roster this week.
The star-studded roster will be whittled down to a 12-man squad for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, where the US will be chasing a fifth consecutive gold medal.
The provisional player pool contains 28 players who have represented the USA at an Olympics or FIBA World Cup, with 23 gold medals between them.
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LeBron James and Kevin Durant have both been named in the2024 Olympics USA extended squad (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
The 39-year-old James will be chasing a third gold medal in what will be his first appearance at an Olympics since the 2012 London Games.
“The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent and I am thrilled that many of the game’s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games,” USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Grant Hill said in a statement.
“It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium.
“This challenging process will unfold over the next several months as we eagerly anticipate the start of national team activity.” Philadelphia 76ers star Embiid is set to play for the United States for the first time after pledging his allegiance to the squad last October.
The Cameroon-born superstar was eligible to play for the country of his birth, France and the United States, but opted for a US squad which will enter the Olympics as overwhelming gold medal favourites.
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The team will be coached by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, with Gonzaga University’s Mark Few, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Tyronn Lue and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra acting as assistants.
USA Basketball also announced plans for pre-Olympic Games in Las Vegas and London.
The US will play Canada in Las Vegas on July 10, before exhibition games against South Sudan on July 20 and Germany on July 22 at London’s O2 Arena.
USA basketball 2024 Olympics player pool: Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Trae Young.
Despite finally snapping their losing streak, there’s drama in the Lakers’ locker room as pressure mounts on Darvin Ham.
Plus the Warriors’ identity crisis and Milwaukee’s big issue it needs to solve amid the championship race.
That and more in our latest NBA Talking Points!
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Heat demolish Lakers without Butler | 01:10
‘TIP OF THE ICEBERG’: STARK REALITY AMID LAKERS’ LOCKER ROOM DISCONNECT
While Darvin Ham remains calm – at least on the surface – a storm is brewing in the background and, if you believe multiple reports, it could result in the Los Angeles Lakers coach losing his job.
The Lakers did what they needed to by making a statement against the Clippers – and a few more wins will do a whole lot of good when it comes to silencing the noise surrounding Ham’s future.
For it seems like an eternity ago the Lakers were crowned the inaugural winners of the NBA’s in-season tournament (IST), when Anthony Davis made a statement in a 41-point, 20-rebound performance against the Indiana Pacers.
Funnily enough, it was only a fortnight prior to that win that the Lakers had suffered a 44-point blowout loss to the 76ers, which prompted LeBron James to declare “a lot” needs to change.
The way the Lakers quickly turned things around before the IST could lend some weight to Ham’s argument that Los Angeles may not be too far away from looking like Western Conference contenders once more.
There is a difference though. The Lakers had won eight of their last 10 games before that match-up with the Pacers.
Can the Lakers turn around their season? (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
Right now, L.A. has lost 10 of its last 14 games.
“I’m tired of people living and dying with every single game we play… it’s ludicrous… this is a marathon,” Ham said after the Lakers’ latest loss to the Grizzlies.
He has a point. People can be too reactionary, too quick to overreact to one loss or one bad play. But this isn’t that.
This is a losing skid that has the Lakers 10th in the Western Conference. A losing skid that had a clearly frustrated James admitting “we suck right now” after the 127-113 defeat to Memphis.
On the other hand, Ham said it “seems to be” a “pattern” of rival players “stepping their game up when they come into our building”.
Or maybe the real pattern is there for everyone to see in the numbers, with the Lakers allowing more wide-open 3-point attempts a game (22.5) than any other team in the league.
That is despite having a defensive stopper like Davis that should naturally allow the Lakers to more heavily crowd the 3-point line and force opponents to beat them in the paint.
Whereas Ham has consistently called for patience and pointed towards the team’s injuries to explain their recent string of losses, the messaging from the Lakers’ players has been very different.
“We’ve got to do better as players to affect them to miss shots,” Austin Reaves said after the Memphis loss.
“They shot 51 per cent from three tonight. That’s not acceptable. We have to take it upon ourselves to do better.”
The Lakers were supposed to be in a strong position to take a swing for the title this season after making shrewd moves in the summer while also finding a way to keep five key players in James, Davis, Reaves, D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura together.
Giddey guides Thunder to statement win | 01:38
They added some much-needed outside shooting while maintaining enough continuity to set up the offence for a smooth transition from the 2022-23 season.
Injuries have played their part, with the loss of Gabe Vincent (knee) in particular proving a tough blow, but more important than anything else in recent years has been the health of James and Davis.
That has been hard to rely on in the past but so far this season the superstar duo have only combined to miss five games.
It is part of the reason why Ham needs a greater sense of urgency and understanding of why people are “living and dying with every game we play”, as he put it.
If multiple reports are to be believed Ham himself could be “living and dying with every game” he coaches too, with The Athletic claiming there is a “deepening disconnect” between the Lakers coach and the locker room.
That is according to six different sources, who “described that the disjointedness between the coach and team has stemmed from the extreme rotation and starting line-up adjustments recently from Ham”, according to The Athletic.
That is consistent with reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, who said on a recent episode of the No Cap Room podcast that player agents have even started voicing their concerns about Ham.
“I think this is the tip of the iceberg of this guy being legitimately on the hot seat right now,” Fischer said.
“There’s just a lot of chatter from people around the organisation that he’s not the guy that’s going to be able to get this thing over the hump. Now, look, they were able to overcome a 2-10 start last season to make the Western Conference Finals so he’s proven the ability to right a ship and steer them out of stormy waters to some beautiful island somewhere else in the postseason picture.
“But the noise is very loud. There’s a lot of people very frustrated. A lot of agents calling the front office frustrated about their guys not getting the right opportunities.”
If there is anything working in Ham’s favour it is his relationship with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, with The Athletic revealing she sent the Lakers coach a “lengthy text message of support” in the wake of the publication’s report detailing the team’s locker room disconnect.
IDENTITY CRISIS AT THE HEART OF WARRIORS’ WOES
Speaking of coaches under pressure, while Steve Kerr isn’t in the hot seat just yet he is certainly seeing plenty of criticism for his role in Golden State’s slow start to the season.
Most notable has been Kerr’s misuse of young forward Jonathan Kuminga, with a report from The Athletic last week claiming he had “lost faith” in the veteran coach allowing him to “reach his full potential”.
“(Thursday night) was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” one of the sources told The Athletic.
Thursday night, in that instance, referred to Kuminga spending the final 18 minutes of Golden State’s 130-127 defeat to Denver on the bench despite having scored a productive 16 points to go with four rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes of action.
Kuminga was not the only one to be frustrated with a lack of consistent playing time, with Jason Dumas of KRON4 also reporting that people around Moses Moody are “frustrated with the lack of having a role and the lack of consistency”.
The issue for Kerr is the fact that Kuminga and Moody’s reported frustration speaks to a broader problem for the Warriors, who for a few years now have been trying to delicately balance their championship ambitions while also looking forward towards the future.
A two-timeline strategy is always hard to pull off and while the Warriors did win a championship that was largely on the back of their already established superstar trio Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Plus, Jordan Poole also had a breakout year while Andrew Wiggins was a hero in the NBA Finals.
Now Poole is no longer on the team while Wiggins struggled earlier in the season. Then you have the ticking time bomb that has been Green and the reality that Thompson is not the player he once was.
And that is at the root of Golden State, and specifically, Kerr’s dilemma right now. He does not seem completely willing to accept that this Warriors team as a whole is not what it once was.
Younger players like Kuminga aren’t just pieces for the future, they are the team’s best options right now and need to be given more minutes to reflect that.
There was an interesting contrast in the loss to Denver which spoke to just where Kerr is going wrong and where a Western Conference contender like the Nuggets are going right.
Whereas Kerr opted to leave Kuminga on the bench, Denver coach Michael Malone showed no hesitation in pulling the more experienced Michael Porter Jr. from the line-up to play second-year wing Peyton Watson.
It proved the right call too as the 21-year-old made a clutch 3-pointer and then grabbed an important defensive rebound before Nikola Jokic tied up the game down the stretch.
There’s been frustrations from the Warriors younger players (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
Malone had the confidence in Watson and even if it didn’t pay off the Nuggets have shown a willingness to give their young guys opportunities, with Christian Braun repaying them for it in the NBA Finals after seeing consistent minutes off the bench throughout the regular season.
To his credit, Kerr has leaned more heavily on impressive rookies Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski, rewarding them for strong early season form with more minutes.
It may take time for Kerr and the Warriors to tighten up their rotations and given the competitive nature of the Western Conference, time isn’t something that is on Golden State’s side at the moment.
Perhaps the Warriors will make a big swing before the trade deadline in a desperate attempt to stay in the championship hunt.
Or maybe they will move some veteran pieces to further plan for the future in an admission that this indeed is the end of Golden State’s dynasty and start of a new chapter.
As Curry said himself last week, more than anything else the Warriors need to figure out who they are before anything else.
“It’s the nature of this team,” Curry said.
“It’s kind of materialised throughout the year. We’ve experimented a lot. Some for forced reasons. Some for us searching for an identity of what are our strengths and playing into that, and we haven’t found that.
“It’s frustrating for sure – we’re 32 games in and any team that is a seriously competitive contender, a good team, can usually answer that question. So, we have to get to that point for sure, before it’s too late.”
Maybe it already is for the old version of the Warriors. But it doesn’t have to be that way for the next one.
ISSUE BUCKS ‘NEED TO SOLVE’
Defence was a key question mark hanging over the Bucks after their big off-season moves … and it remains.
It was always going to take a hit after Damian Lillard took over from Jrue Holiday as the starting point guard, not to mention Adrian Griffin replacing Mike Budenholzer as head coach and implementing a whole new system.
But Milwaukee’s defence is ranked bottom third in the NBA over the course of the season.
Sure, it’s only January and the Bucks sit second in the East at 25-11 and look primed to go deep in the playoffs behind their potent offence that’s ranked third overall. However there’s legitimate concerns around whether or not they a defensive system that can win a championship – and it’s very much championship or bust for Griffin, Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company.
The Bucks have had defensive issues (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
After all, regular season records only mean so much and it’s also important to look at other data and teams’ process in assessing their overall profile, and in the Bucks’ case, championship credentials.
So how much do we read into it as we near the midway point of the season? With a juggernaut offence led by Lillard and Antetokounmp, can they simply score their way to a title if they become at least solid defensively? They might have to if they’re any chance of going all the way.
This was basically the model of 2023 champion Denver last season – it was ranked fifth in offence during the regular season, but ranked only 15th defensively (though the latter improved in the playoffs). It seems to be the direction the NBA is heading in, where defence is no longer seen as the be-all and end-all
It’s worth noting the Bucks’ current profile is the complete opposite to previous seasons where they were known as a stingy defensive team. Last season they were ranked fourth in defensive rating but were just middle of the road on offence.
And in losing Holiday, they lost the frontline of their defence that at times compensated for others, while Lillard’s backourt partner Malik Beasley, like Lillard, is also not regarded for his defence.
In saying this, Milwaukee has improved to the point where it has the 16th-best defensive rating since November compared to it being among the worst few teams in the first few weeks of the campaign. There was always going to be an adjustment made by Griffin, plus more data painting a clearer picture of where they sat.
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And so it’s not time to ring the alarm bells, but it’s something to monitor.
Because, again, when the Bucks come up against the best teams in the post-season, they’ll at least need to be able to hold their own defensively to contend for the major prize.
“They’re not dominant like they were last season, but they’re not at the complete bottom of the barrel like they were in the first couple of weeks of the season,” The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said on The Mismatch Podcast.
“It’s partially schemes still and partially personnel – obviously you lose Jrue Holiday and replace him with Damian Lillard and you have Malik Beasley, that’s not great point of attack defence. (Pat) Connaughton is not the same guy right now.
“Part of it is a lack of hustle – last season they were eighth best in points allowed in transition, this year they’re eighth worst in points allowed in transition.
“I think it’s a lot of little things adding up to make them average since they made the switch (to playing tighter and higher up). I don’t think it’s unfixable by any means … but they definitely do have to solve it.”
SLEEPING GIANT … OR A WASTED SEASON?
Are the Memphis Grizzlies the sleeping giants in the championship race? Or is this a mountain too tall to climb?
One thing’s for sure – the clock is ticking on their season.
It was always going to be a slow start out of the gates for Memphis while Ja Morant served his 25-game suspension. Then things became even more tough when Steven Adams suffered a season-ending injury on the eve of the campaign followed by Marcus Smart’s nasty ankle setback in the opening weeks.
It all added up to a disastrous 3-13 start to the season for Taylor Jenkins’ team to make for a worse scenario than most anticipated. It included the Griz sitting 6-19 prior to Morant’s return to the court, however when he did, the dynamic quickly shifted.
Memphis has gone 7-4 with Morant back in the fold to look much more like the title contender of recent seasons compared to the lottery side of the first quarter of the campaign.
“It’s a competitive team with Morant … I’m starting to see what their team could actually look like,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe told The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“Morant, Bane and Jackson – we know that’s a good foundation.
Grizz net biggest score to down Lakers | 00:39
But has too much damage already been done?
The Grizzlies currently have a 13-23 overall record as we approach the midway point of the season, sitting 13th in the West and 4.5 games outside a play-in spot.
That mightn’t seem like much, but Memphis would need to make up a fair bit of ground in the always tough and competitive Western Conference.
Based on current standings, the Griz would need to jump both the Jazz and Warriors plus at least one of the Lakers, Suns, Rockets or Pelicans, who currently sit 7-10th, to just feature in the play-in.
Both teams that finished 10th in either conference (OKC and Chicago) at the end of last year’s regular season notched 40 wins. Based off those numbers, Memphis would need to go a minimum of 27-19 for the rest of the way to just make the play-in.
Locking in a guaranteed playoff spot is an even harder road and appears unlikely right now.
Of course, if Memphis was to limp into the playoffs, it’d likely be on the road for any series it plays in in anything key factor in its overall prospects.
No matter, the Grizzlies have enough talent and time on their side in a marathon NBA season, even if the clock is ticking. They frankly can’t afford many, if any, more bumps along the way – and they might need other teams in their conference to experience a couple.
UNSUNG HERO IN KNICKS’ RISE
From “some dude named Hartenstein” to the heart of the Knicks’ surge.
Nobody has played more minutes on the Knicks since the OG Anunoby trade than Isaiah Hartenstein, who has aptly replaced Mitchell Robinson while leaving every game looking like he went through a meat grinder.
The German-American draws blood regularly these days, showing off the latest scratches on his arm and hand following Sunday’s blowout triumph over the Wizards.
And while Hartenstein isn’t quite the same height as Robinson or as proficient an offensive rebounder, he does hold a very large and important advantage over the frequently injured starting centre.
Hartenstein is crazy durable.
Despite absorbing an inordinate amount of gashes and blows, Hartenstein is riding a consecutive games played streak of 157 — by far the most on the Knicks.
He was one of only 10 NBA players last season to log all 82, a point of pride and probably a prominent bullet point on his résumé for free agency negotiations this summer (yes, his contract is expiring).
But now his role is expanded and a lot more strenuous. When Robinson was around, Hartenstein was playing less than half the game.
But Tom Thibodeau doesn’t have much faith in the other centres on the roster — Jericho Sims and newcomer Precious Achiuwa — which means Hartenstein rarely leaves the floor.
He acknowledged that was an adjustment.
Brunson, Knicks beat 76ers, Embiid hurt | 00:50
“I think I had a slight little period on the road — I think it was at Orlando, at OKC, that road trip (last week) — where I kinda felt my body kind of going down a little bit,” Hartenstein said. “But I think now my body has gotten used to it. I take care of my body pretty good. So now, it’s just keep getting better in that role, and I think that’s something I can do on a consistent basis. … Now, my body is used to it. I don’t really get tired.”
In Sunday’s game, for instance, Thibodeau subbed out Hartenstein in the fourth quarter and tried to go small with Julius Randle at centre.
It lasted 65 seconds.
The Knicks gave up five points and Thibodeau quickly summoned Hartenstein.
“I just sat down. I put a towel around my shoulders and Thibs was like, ‘Isaiah,’ ” said Hartenstein, who finished with eight points and 19 rebounds, one short of his career high. “So I got back up.”
It’s hard to argue with the results. In the four games since the trade, Hartenstein is averaging a double-double (10.5 points, 13.5 rebounds) while leading the Knicks in steals (2.3) and blocks (3.0).
He’s also increased his play-making role, finding cutters such as Anunoby from the elbow while dishing out 2.8 assists per game since the trade. It has made ESPN analyst and Knicks fan Stephen A Smith look irrational for dismissing the centre on air when he said recently, “I got to deal with some dude named Hartenstein.”
“It’s fun,” Hartenstein said about his new responsibilities. “I think it’s definitely a role that I always envisioned myself being in.”
As we reach the quarter-way mark of the NBA season, it’s the perfect time to hit the pause button and reflect on how all 30 teams have fared.
It’s been a campaign filled with epic match-ups, big breakouts, incredible superstar performances, drama and entertainment including the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, while a host of shock contenders have emerged and others have endured a tumultuous start.
Taking into account the expectations for every team, their front office decision-making and generally what each franchise is hoping to achieve this season, here’s how we’ve graded the entire league through the first quarter.
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Grades for all 30 teams at the quarter-way mark of the season.Source: FOX SPORTS
ATLANTA HAWKS (9-13) — C-
Contending for a Play-In spot and hovering around .500, the Hawks are pretty well on pace to what most expected, if not slightly underwhelming. One thing’s clear — Quin Snyder’s team is just a middle of the road team and not a contender to come out of the East as constructed. Atlanta will at least score a ton, however is ranked among the worst teams defensively. And what’s the splash move they can make without breaking up Trae Young and Dejounte Murray? Jalen Johnson was enjoying a breakout season prior to getting struck down with injury in an untimely setback for both the third-year forward and Hawks at large.
BOSTON CELTICS (16-5) — A+
The clear frontrunner in the title race. It’s been a hot start to the season for a Celtics powerhouse that has gotten even stronger after the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — even if their true worth will be determined at the business end of the season – to boast the clear best starting five in the NBA. The early signs couldn’t be much better, with Porzingis in particular helping take Joe Mazulla’s team to another level at both ends of the floor as a rim protecting shot blocker and floor stretching five. Boston has the best record in the league, No. 4 defensive rating and No. 7 offensive rating. Full marks.
BROOKLYN NETS (12-10) – C+
Despite arguably battling the worst injury toll of any side in the league, the Nets sit just a game behind the sixth-seeded Cavaliers, and when healthy, have shown they can be a real handful. It’s largely been built around Brooklyn’s high-octane offence – ranked eighth in the league – as Cam Thomas has shined in a bigger role and Mikal Bridges has flourished as the true leader of the team. Ben Simmons’ ongoing back issue is however getting alarming. The Aussie could help the Nets improve offensively to give them a more well-rounded game. But when, or if, Simmons returns remains very much up in the air.
“He’s FAT”: Stephen A. SLAMS Zion | 02:30
CHARLOTTE HORNETS (7-14) – D+
Yes, the Hornets sit third-last in the East, but there’s a few things to factor in, largely their injury situation. Charlotte was without Miles Bridges for the first 10 games due to his suspension, while Terry Rozier also missed a key stretch. Since the aforementioned duo returned, LaMelo Ball suffered a nasty ankle injury, so we haven’t gotten a proper look at this Hornets team as constructed at full strength — a core that had the potential to contend for a Play-In spot. In saying all this, the Hornets have been a mess on the defensive end and have the fifth-worst net rating in the league, so they have a ways to improve, and injuries can’t be solely to blame for a team with the longest active playoff drought in the league dating back to 2016.
CHICAGO BULLS (9-15) – D
Are the Bulls … better without Zach LaVine? After a really grim start to the season, Chicago has curiously improved to 4-1 since LaVine was struck down with injury … time for a trade? You’d think Chicago has to pull the trigger on a move for either (or a collection of) LaVine, DeMar DeRozan or Nikola Vucevic at some stage to bring in long-term assets and continue to expose the likes of Coby White and Patrick Williams to bigger roles, as they have in recent times. Because what they have right now is the profile of a near enough lottery team despite being built to win now, so it desperately needs a reboot as the franchise arguably in the worst position of any. A big few months ahead for the front office.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (13-10) – C+
The Cavaliers have been simply solid this season. But for whatever reason, something has been off, while they haven’t had the same spark as last campaign and continue to struggle offensively. As good as Donovan Mitchell has been, just about every other Cleveland player bar Max Strus has struggled to take a step forward … plus is the Jarrett Allen/Evan Mobley froncourt viable long term? A team that was considered to be on the rise with a ton of potential has underwhelmed, even if its 13-10 record is far from disappointing. It comes in a particular crucial period with the franchise hoping to convince Mitchell to re-sign.
Aussie Exum POPS OFF for 7 x threes | 01:40
DALLAS MAVERICKS (14-8) – B
Another team that has probably surpassed expectations, sitting fourth in the West as an offensive powerhouse, even if the Mavs have struggled defensively. Luka Doncic has done Luka Doncic things, but beyond the Slovenian superstar and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs lack consistent production from the rest of their squad and have really struggled on the defensive end — even with exciting rookie Derek Lively providing a real presence as a centre. And how much do we trust Irving to stay healthy and/or to not act up? It’s been an overall positive season, but until they fix their defensive issues, Jason Kidd’s side can’t be considered a true contender to come out of the West.
DENVER NUGGETS (15-9) – A-
The defending champs are in cruise control, though Nikoka Jokic has somehow gotten better to really cement himself as the consensus best player in the league/world. With Jokic running the show in the Mile High City, it’ll always be a dominant force, but they’ve at times been too reliant on him, particularly when Jamal Murray was sidelined despite Reggie Jackson stepping up in a starting role. Of course, prioritising health and peaking come May and June is the prime concern for Mike Malone’s squad as opposed to regular season wins and finishing as high as possible, with things ticking along just fine despite a recent three-game skid and some question marks about their bench and depth as a whole following the departures of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.
Shades of the King – Bronny makes debut | 01:15
DETROIT PISTONS (2-21) – F
A season from hell. Things can’t get much worse than what they are right now for the Pistons … can they? They’ve dropped a franchise record 20 games on the trot and have a league-worst 2-21 record. Monty Williams is constantly changing the line-up in hopes of finding a spark – but that in itself has been a problem as nothing has felt settled or stable. The sporadicness of Jaden Ivey – both the guard’s form and how he’s being used by Williams – has personified the team’s struggles. And while Bojan Bogdanovic recently returned to give them some veteran leadership, it’ll take more than that to turn things around.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (10-12) – D+
Is the dynasty Warriors era finally over? It certainly appears to be amid a rough stretch with just four wins from their last 14 outings. Steph Curry is doing everything he possibly can right now, but where’s the help? And what would happen if he got injured? Veterans Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have underperformed and Chris Paul already suffered his first injury setback, while Andrew Wiggins looks a shadow of the star that helped guide the team to the 2022 championship. Meanwhile Jonathan Kuminga has struggled to evolve into the player the team would’ve hoped for, and their other youngsters don’t appear capable to take on bigger roles – or at least Steve Kerr hasn’t been willing to give it to them – so there’s more issues than answers right now. A shake-up could be coming, either to the rotation or via trade.
HOUSTON ROCKETS (11-9) – B+
There’s been some hiccups along the way, but it’s been an overall promising season for the West’s seven seed. Ime Udoka has brought an intensity, defensive focus (ranked second in the NBA) and professionalism to the team we haven’t seen in years — boosted by the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks as well as Alperen Sengun taking his game to another level. Some cracks started to appear over the last month or so and it felt like things could fall apart, but the Rockets have since steadied the ship in signs of genuine maturation. Houston does need to replicate its home form on the road, with just one away win so far (over reigning champ Denver), but there’s so much to like overall at the moment.
Davis dominates in mid season title win | 02:31
INDIANA PACERS (13-8) – A
That In-Season tournament run felt massive including taking down Eastern Conference powerhouses Boston and Milwaukee en route to the championship game. Even if they didn’t raise the trophy, the Pacers would’ve gained a ton of confidence and respect. Plus, not only did it give Indiana playoff-like atmosphere experience against some of the best teams in the league, it was the coming out of a superstar in Tyrese Haliburton under the bright lights. Can we finally admit the Pacers won the Sabonis trade? There’s simply a ton of excitement surrounding Indiana right now as one of the most fun teams to watch and best stories of the first quarter of the season that current sits fifth in the East. It’s largely been because of the Pacers’ potent No. 1 rated offence, though they’ve leaked points on the other end.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (12-1o) – B-
Should the league be officially on notice? The Clippers are two games above .500 after winning nine of their last 12. The slow start in the James Harden era is a thing of the past as Tyrone Lu’s side is figuring things out and looking a genuine threat with a new starting line-up after Russell Westbrook’s move to the bench. We’re also seeing all of their big three, Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, playing well in the same games more consistently, while the Clippers have the NBA’s No. 8 defensive rating and No. 8 net rating. It comes in a crucial season for the franchise, having gone all-in with this roster ahead of the opening of its new stadium next year. You still can’t help but think, as quickly as things have come together, they could again fall apart, with the health of their injury-prone stars key.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (14-9) – A-
They have to get extra marks for winning the In-Season Tournament, even if it ultimately counts for nothing from a bigger picture perspective. It’s otherwise been a similar-looking Lakers to last season — a robust defence but lacklustre offence and need for more consistent scoring alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with Austin Reaves struggling to step up in a bigger role and having more success as a sixth man. Through it all, LA is still 14-9 and getting close to full strength, with the likes of Jared Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent missing key time, while Cam Reddish has been a solid addition. The evergreen and soon-to-be 39-year old James is ageing like a fine wine and doing straight up freakish things at his age. Between James and Davis, who’s having one of his best defensive seasons, this team will always be a threat, plus you sense this Lakers team has room to grow with more continuity and could go on a run at some stage like last season.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (6-16) – D-
Operation keep their head above water until Ja Morant returns next week has been a fail for the Grizzlies, who’s also been without Marcus Smart and lost Steven Adams on the eve of the season to leave a bunch of key voids. Tyus Jones’ departure also can’t be understated as a guy who knew their system so well and how to run it whenever Morant was out. With that in mind, you can’t be too harsh on Taylor Jenkins’ crew. Morant will clearly provide a much-needed boost on the offensive end, but they also can’t expect him to return and magically solve all their problems. Not many lesser Memphis players have otherwise really stepped up with extra responsibilities, while Jackson Jr. hasn’t looked like the same defender without Adams there. The Griz have at least showed better signs in recent times to creep closer to having a somewhat respectful record and look capable of turning around its season with Morant and Smart back in the fold.
MIAMI HEAT (13-10) – B
You can be glass half full or half empty on the Heat depending on what your expectations are. But never sleep on Erik Spoelstra and company — and this season has proven no different despite Miami being without Tyler Herro for a key chunk of the season (though it’s becoming increasingly hard to trust the team to ever be consistently healthy). Miami just finds useful pieces to surround Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo with including draftee Jaime Jaquez Jr., while Duncan Robinson has enjoyed a bounce back season and the returning Josh Richardson has been a useful addition. There’s still a few question marks, with the Heat rated average on both ends of the floor amid a stretch of five losses from their last eight, but they’re in a good spot when Herro and now Adebayo return from injury all things considered.
Silver breaks silence on Giddey drama | 00:43
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (16-7) – A-
It’s all kind of just going according to script for any team that lands a superstar in the off-season. Sure, the Bucks still have to improve significantly to just become an OK defensive team as they adjust to life with Damian Lillard. But through what’s felt like a slow start to the season under new coach Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee sits equal second in Eastern Conference and just a game behind Boston with the equal-third best record in the entire league. Not only are the Bucks figuring out how to best integrate Lillard with the rest of the team — most importantly, alongside star teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo — as well as other new pieces, but Khris Middleton is still (very slowly) being ramped up to full minutes. Reports of locker room drama involving Bobby Portis and Griffin is also a worry so early in the campaign. In some ways, all the apparent concerns make their .696 winning percentage even more impressive, but it’s very much is championship or bust season in Milwaukee, so expectations are rightfully high.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (17-5) – A+
Ticks all around for the team with the fourth-best net rating in the league. Seemingly the most improved team in the NBA this season, or at least, the team that’s made the jump from a playoff side to a true contender. Indeed, what the Timberwolves are doing feels real, built around the league’s No. 1 ranked defence led by Rudy Gobert getting back to some of his best form at that end of the floor. Minnesota has elite size otherwise that’s really worried opposition teams, while Karl-Anthony Towns is playing at a high level to function effectively alongside Gobert in the frontcourt, while Anthony Edwards just keeps getting better and better. And all of this despite Jaden McDaniels only appearing in roughly half their games due to injury.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (13-11) – B-
Are they good or not? The opinion on this team seems to flip-flop quicker than any either — and the Pelicans are an enigma of sorts. But when they’ve been at full strength, there’s an argument the Pelicans can compete with anyone in the Western Conference. The Pels have in recent times shown what they can do with all their pieces on the court together including winning seven of their last 11 games. Willie Green’s side has weapons at both ends of the floor and is deep, while Zion Williamson has looked fantastic at times despite some queries around his overall professionalism and commitment to his craft. Though a blowout loss at the hands of the red-hot Lakers in the In-Season Tournament semis was a misstep, there’s reason to be bullish about how far New Orleans could go this season if things click.
NEW YORK KNICKS (13-9) – B
It’s been a solid, but unspectacular start to the season for the Knicks, who have struggled against the best teams but are rated top 10 in all three of offensive, defensive and net rating. Despite this, New York still appears to be a move away from being a true contender that’s capable of hanging with the likes of Boston, Milwaukee and Philadelphia out East. Mitch Robinson being ruled out for at least the next two months after ankle surgery is clearly a big blow, while the wing/guard rotation feels crowded after New York brought in Donte DiVincenzo. Quintin Grimes even expressed frustration over his role given so much of the team’s offence is predicated around Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. How far can a team go that leans so heavily on those three on the offensive end?
Curry tops Wemby in battle of the stars | 01:11
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (15-7) – A+
The rebuild couldn’t be going much better. In fact, could the Thunder be sneaky contenders in the West? They’ve exceeded expectations this season to surge ahead of their time as the third-youngest team in the NBA. OKC is the only team in the NBA with a top six offensive and defensive rating, while it’s third in net rating. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a legit MVP contender, Chet Holmgren has been Rookie of the Year good to provide another dimension to Mark Daigneault’s squad and Jalen Williams has taken a leap forward in his second season. Plus, whoever Daigneault puts on the court, which can at times be fluid, always competes hard and buys in on the defensive end. All of this with a mountain of draft picks at their disposal to further upgrade their roster, there’s perhaps no team better positioned overall. The only real negative has been Josh Giddey’s underwhelming form on the court — not helped by the off-court investigation — as the Aussie struggles to find his role in an altered system.
ORLANDO MAGIC (16-7) – A+
The unexpected dark horse in the Eastern Conference behind it’s No. 2 rated defence and budding young guns. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are blossoming into stars, leading a team with killer instinct that’s taken several big scalps including the Nuggets and Celtics – arguably the best two teams in the NBA. It’s been all the more impressive considering Marklette Fultz has been limited to only five games due to an ongoing knee injury, though the guard’s absence has at least opened up more opportunities for the likes of Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony to really take their games to the next level. Meanwhile Joe Ingles has added an invaluable veteran presence off the bench.
Embiid passes Barkley in stellar fashion | 01:23
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (15-7) – A
You’ve got to respect the way the Sixers consistently remain in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, particularly after overcoming the James Harden drama that was. With Joel Embiid leading the charge in another MVP-calibre season and Tyrese Maxey emerging as a superstar, anything feels possible with these Nick Nurse-led Sixers. A faster-paced offence (ranked second in the NBA) and still rock solid defence (ranked ninth) under Nurse’s system has so far equated to the best net rating in the league. Veterans Nicholas Batum and Robert Covington have meanwhile been valuable additions on the wing from the Harden trade and provided better depth — plus Philly has a bounty of draft picks it can use to further bolster its roster. Should again be one of the key contenders to come out of the East, if not go a step further.
PHOENIX SUNS (12-10) – B-
It’s hard to get a proper read on Frank Vogel’s Suns given their new big three is still yet to share the court together this season. That was set to change this week with Bradley Beal’s imminent return, but now Kevin Durant is out, so the trio staying healthy will always be a concern. But Beal’s absence doesn’t completely let Phoenix off for a near .500 start given the franchise has gone all-in on a title with this roster, particularly given the defensive concerns have so far been validated. While it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, the Suns have still managed to stay in touch with the top teams in the Western Conference and shown they can compete with anyone. Though Durant has wound back the clock, this team will go as far as Devin Booker takes it in a new point guard role, while their role players have stepped up to fill voids.
Celtics reign top of the East | 00:59
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (6-16) – D+
To no great surprise, it’s been tough goings for the new-look Blazers this season as they move into rebuild mode after trading away Damian Lillard – but still have a blend of veterans in key roles. That slow start has been exasperated by Anferne Simons being sidelined for most of the season to date due to injury, while a host of other key names have also missed time. Portland has actually been solid on the defensive end, however is ranked second-last offensively in an area Simons will improve it. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before Scoot Henderson is handed the keys as the starting point guard role, with the Pick 3 draftee, Simons and Shaedon Sharpe the future of this franchise.
SACRAMENTO KINGS (13-8) – B+
After a slow start to the season, the still heavily offensive-focused Kings have gotten a roll in recent times with five wins from their last seven to make a charge in the Western Conference standings. De’Aaron Fox just keeps getting better and better, in the best form of his career and playing at an MVP level with a much-improved three-point stroke, while Malik Monk might be the most underrated player in the NBA as a sneaky Sixth Man of the Year candidate. The issues on the defensive end remain a problem though and have halted Sacramento from making the jump from being a fun – but potent – team last season to a legit West contender to be taken more seriously.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (3-19) – D-
Expectations recalibrated. A team some thought was capable of making a run for the Play-In with the addition of Victor Wembanyama has been a mile off and is in contention for having the worst record in the league. They’ve dropped a franchise record 17 straight games and … well, look like a young team still figuring things out and their identity as a whole. The Spurs have been a mess at both ends of the floor – rankled dead last offensively and sixth-last defensively for the league’s worst overall net rating. The Jeremy Sochan point guard experiment has been abandoned, and right now, outside of Wembanyama, there’s not a heap to be bullish about on the roster for the future (though Wembanyama might be more than enough). But again, this is a team that was always going to suffer from some type of growing pains and can at least say they planned for such pain by committing to a rebuild — even if they weren’t expected to be this bad. Hard to give a team a fail that just landed a generational talent, who’s looked as a good as advertised.
‘Not who we are!’ Pop BURNS home crowd | 00:30
TORONTO RAPTORS (9-14) – C-
A contender for most confusing team in the NBA in terms of what it’s trying to accomplish, currently sitting outside the Play-In qualification. The Raptors have dropped four in a row amid struggles at both ends of the floor under new coach Darko Rajaković. If they can’t get things together soon, a trade involving Pascal Siakam and/or OG Anunoby by the deadline seems likely given both can become free agents at the end of the season. It very much feels like Scottie Barnes’ team now in a brilliant third season from the forward as the franchise cornerstone they should build around, while every other Raptor feels expandable.
UTAH JAZZ (7-16) – D
How long until the Jazz commit to all-out rebuild mode? Despite having a surplus of draft picks from the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell trades, Utah has attempted to regenerate its roster on the run and stay competitive in the always loaded West — evident by its off-season move for John Collins. However the team has really struggled this season compared to last. While the absence of Lauri Markannen in recent times hasn’t helped and Walker Kessler has also missed a key chunk of the season, the Jazz have dropped five of their last six games and are plummeting quickly in the West standings in campaign getting away from it. Given Utah owes OKC a top-10 protected pick, don’t be surprised if Will Hardy shakes things up soon and puts his younger players into bigger roles, while the Jazz could also be sellers ahead of the trade deadline to ensure the franchise takes something away from this season.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (3-19) – F
It’s been bad. The Wizards have just one win from their last 15 games to remain anchored in a bottom two seed with Detroit in the East. While it’s been by design after Washington off-loaded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in the off-season for long-term assets, there hasn’t been much get excited about by the way of young players impressing. And so there’s not many positive takeaways for this season outside of the Wizards potentially ending up with a top draft pick. This year’s Pick 7 Bilal Coulibaly figures to move into a bigger role as the season goes on, while Washington’s other high-end draftees look like misses that haven’t warranted increased opportunities. Jordan Poole has been a big disappointment, while the ex-Warrior and/or Tyus Jones could find themselves in another jersey by the deadline.
What are the Power Rankings? This is our attempt to rank every NBA team from best to worst. We take wins and losses into account, but also the quality of opposition faced and whether teams are likely to get healthier or improve going forward. It’s a little bit ‘who’s hot and who’s not’; part predictive, part analysis of what’s happened. If Team A is above Team B, we’d probably tip A to beat B at a neutral venue.
Every NBA team analysed in our Power Rankings.Source: FOX SPORTS
1. BOSTON CELTICS (14-4)
Who else but? Continuing on from last campaign’s dominant regular season, the Celtics appear to have gotten even stronger with the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Integrating such key pieces to a rotation can take time for teams to adjust, but not Boston, having posted a top eight offensive rating and top three defensive rating. Still undefeated at home, the Celtics’ +9.6 point differential is the best in the league. Not only do they have top-line stars, most notably Jayson Tatum, who’s having another MVP-calibre season, but Joe Mazulla’s rotation is arguably the deepest and most talented in the NBA. It’ll help them mitigate injuries (provided they don’t come at the business end of the season). Can anyone stop them? The clear best team in the league right now.
2. DENVER NUGGETS (13-6)
The reigning champs have been in cruise control in the early parts of the season, while Jamal Murray has been limited to eight games due to a hamstring injury … yet they still sit second in the West standings at 13-6 and have a top 10 offensive and defensive rating. It included a particularly strong start to the season before the Nuggets hit a lean patch, dropping four of five games as their less experience and depth compared to last season showed. But a road win over the Clippers on the second half of a back-to-back without Murray, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon displayed championship DNA at its finest and would build huge belief in the second unit and team as a whole. Jokic remains out-of-this-world good as the current frontrunner for the MVP in what’d be his third overall. Oh and they’re also the only other team still unbeaten at home.
‘Wait a minute!’ Smith blasts ‘idiots’ | 02:01
3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (13-4)
One of the big surprise packages so far, Minnesota is emerging as a legitimate contender before our eyes. In fact, it’s the Wolves we thought we were getting last season after three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert joined the team, as his twin tower frontcourt pairing with Karl Anthony-Towns is starting to flourish. Sitting first in the West with the best defensive rating in the entire NBA – built around Gobert, and great size and flexibility that’s really troubled opposition – the Wolves have taken the leap into the top tier of teams. Then there’s the Anthony Edwards piece, with the star guard evolving into a MVP-level superstar that plays both ends of the floor and has a certain dog and killer instinct about him that reminds you of some of the game’s all-time greats.
4. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (13-5)
The new-look Bucks are starting to figure things out – and that’s a scary prospect for the rest of the NBA. After a slow start, Milwaukee has won eight of its last nine games and is beginning to live up to the hype after recruiting Damian Lillard to join forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo and create one of the most dominant one-two offensive punches in the NBA. Though the Bucks have the fourth-best offence in the league, there’s still issues at the other end of the floor, with a bottom 10 defensive rating. Brook Lopez is starting to rediscover his dominant defensive form from last season, but misses having Jrue Holiday out on the perimeter, while Khris Middleton is still ramping up to full health after off-season knee surgery. If they can make improvements on the defensive end to at least be middle of the road, the Nuggets showed last season you don’t necessarily need to have an elite defence to win it all. Could they simply score their way to a title?
5. PHILADLEPHIA 76ERS (12-6)
Couldn’t have navigated the James Harden trade saga much better. It was addition by subtraction for the Sixers, with Harden’s departure paving the way for Tyrese Maxey to evolve into a superstar – even if he’s cooled off from his epic early-season heights – while Joel Embiid continues to do Joel Embiid things. The star centre has also improved as a facilitator, averaging a career-best 6.6 assists per game. Philly also added a host of handy role players in the Harden trade plus assets it could use to recruit another star by the trade deadline. They sit top four in the East and have the second-best points differential (+8.7) in the NBA, having shown a ruthlessness to really crush teams. Nick Nurse’s team has the second-best offence – playing with more movement and freedom than last season – to go with a top 10 defence. A team with all the tools to make another deep playoff run.
6. ORLANDO MAGIC (13-5)
The other shock riser – and this one has been even more unexpected – including riding a current seven-game winning streak. Orlando was seen as a fun, budding team on the rise, but not many could’ve predicted Jamahl Mosley’s side would be this good, this fast. The Magic have the third-best record in the East and their improvement has largely come behind a more robust defence – currently the second-best in the league. They simply have guys who compete hard every game like Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony, while Paolo Banchero has taken his game to new heights alongside co-star Franz Wagner, an elite running partner who’s still somehow underrated. Joe Ingles has also provide invaluable leadership and stability off the bench. The Magic, who’ve taken down arguably the best two teams in the NBA in Boston and Denver, have done all of this with Markelle Fultz missing most of the season with a knee injury!
Booker torches the Garden with dagger 3 | 00:37
7. PHOENIX SUNS (11-6)
The Suns are coming. Despite Bradley Beal being restricted to three games due to a back issue and Devin Booker also battling injury, they’re still sitting in the upper echelon of the always competitive West. Kevin Durant has wound the clock back to look like… well, prime Kevin Durant, while Booker too has had some monster performances top really ascend his status to the top-line superstars. What’s also been encouraging is how recruits Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen have stepped up with more opportunities and Jusuf Nurkic might have found his perfect landing spot. It’s the defensive end of the floor where there’s still some issues, but sitting 11-6 despite their new big three having never played together yet and there’s huge reason for optimism in the Valley of the Sun.
Giddey starts for OKC amid investigation | 00:50
8. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (11-6)
Another big improver and team that looks genuinely ready to contend, perhaps slightly ahead of its time. OKC is ranked top seven both offensively and defensively and doesn’t seem to fear anyone. The impact of former Pick 2 Chet Holmgren has been significant, with the gun big man emerging as the unlikely frontrunner for Rookie of the Year over Victor Wembanyama, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be crazy good to back up his breakout 2022/23 season. Mark Daigneault is generally getting better production across the board from the likes of Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe, allowing him to be more flexible with his line-ups. The hovering allegations about Josh Giddey have been the only real downside amid an indifferent start to the season for the Aussie, but there’s so much to like about what the Thunder are doing. And all of this with a mountain of draft picks at their disposal to upgrade the roster when they see fit. Look out.
9. DALLAS MAVERICKS (11-6)
The forgotten contender in the arms race following last season’s big disappointment, even after they acquired Kyrie Irving. But Luka Doncic looks like a man on a mission – with a better roster around him including a barrage of three-point shooters. It’s the offensive end of the floor where Dallas has really excelled – boasting the No.3 offensive rating – while they do have a ways to improve defensively to be taken more seriously as a legit contender. But the Doncic-Irving duo has proven to be a real handful, plus in Dereck Lively II the Mavericks have a promising big man for the first time in several years. It’d be nice to see more consistency from Josh Green, though the Aussie remains an important member of the rotation and has had some bright moments.
Kings topple Warriors for Group C throne | 00:57
10. SACRAMENTO KINGS (10-7)
The beam is starting to come alight. After a 2-4 start to the campaign where the Kings looked like a big regression contender, they’ve rediscovered their spark, going 8-2 over their last 10 games including 4-2 over a recent road trip. The offence from last season is starting to come back too, led by De’Aaron Fox amid a spectacular start to the season from the star guard, who’s averaged a career-best 3.1 three-pointers per game. And Mike Brown’s team has improved at the other end of the floor to become middle-of-the-road defensively. Keegan Murray hasn’t quite taken the second-year leap in what could really propel the Kings to another level, which might be more likely to come in the forward’s third season.
11. LA LAKERS (11-8)
It’s been an up and down start to the season for the Lakers — and perhaps they’re ultimately not the contenders we thought they were amid a host of other Western Conference sides improving. While it’s still early days, LA has had issues at both ends of the floor — mainly the offensive end (ranked bottom three in three-point shooting) — as Darvin Ham works through finding his best line-ups after a few off-season changes to the roster. They’ve also been affected by injury and have struggled on the road (3-6). Beyond Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who’s still freakishly good at near age 39, there’s a lack of other consistent production, even if D’Angelo Russell has bounced back from a disappointing playoff series, while Austin Reaves hasn’t had the breakout season come expected in year three and has been moved to the bench.
LeBron suffers WORST loss in NBA career | 00:51
12. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (10-8)
The Cavs have overcome a slow start to the season to get on a roll in recent times, having won six of their last eight games. We frankly haven’t seen Cleveland at full strength enough yet this season to get a real grasp of where this team is at – a team that finished top four in the East last season. The core remains as talented as some of the top sides and the addition of Max Strus has been a big win to add much-needed three-point shooting on the wing. The Caves don’t really want for anything, though there’s question marks of whether the Even Mobley-Jarrett Allen frontcourt is viable long-term given the spacing issues. It comes in an important juncture and season at large for the franchise as it’ll be hoping to convince Donovan Mitchell to stick around long-term, in one of the potential trade narratives to keep an eye on.
13. NEW YORK KNICKS (10-7)
When it’s all clicking for the Knicks, they’re a strong unit. Jalen Brunson proved last season was no aberration, backing up his breakout campaign to again lead this team, while Julius Randle and RJ Barrett haven’t been quite as consistent even though the latter has shown an improved three-point stroke. New York does have a top-five ranked defence and the 11th-best offence, but Tom Thibodeau’s squad has struggled against the best teams in the league. From that perspective, how far can a Brunson-Randle-Barrett trio go — even with an improved roster around them? Might be one big move away from seriously contending.
Knicks stun Heat with comeback in NY | 01:16
14. INDIANA PACERS (9-7)
With Tyrese Haliburton in this kind of form, anything might be possible. Haliburton is putting together an All-NBA level season, averaging stupidly good numbers across the board (25.9 points on 51 per cent shooting, 3.8 triples and 11.9 assists per game). It’s been key to the team’s promising 9-7 start to the season, with claim to the league’s No.1 offensive rating while averaging 127 points per game. It’s completely opened the Pacers up defensively though …and where’s Haliburton’s help coming from? Myles Turner’s minutes are down, while Rick Carlisle seemingly can’t decide if he wants to develop Benedict Mathurin as a starter or just play veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield heavy minutes, with the latter more of a win-now move. Bruce Brown has been a handy addition, but he’s more a role player than anything. Another team to watch ahead of the trade deadline.
15. MIAMI HEAT (10-8)
Another team that’s hard to figure out, albeit hampered by injuries, As if coming off an NBA Finals appearance as the eighth seed didn’t already make it tricky enough! The Heat have at least navigated the majority of the opening weeks without star guard Tyler Herro, who looked set for a huge breakout season as Miami’s leading scorer, and they’ve clearly missed his offence. The good has been good — including a seven-game winning streak and Bam Adebayo rolling in a career-best season to take on the mantle as Miami’s alpha. But the bad has been bad — opening the campaign 1-4 and currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak, while there’s question marks of the team’s depth.
16. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (10-9)
One of the biggest enigmas in the NBA … are still an enigma? There’s been some good and some bad — including a five-game losing streak — and they’ve all-round just been an average side. It’s a somewhat disappointing return for a franchise that spent parts of last season as the No.1 seed in the West and could be so much more with Zion Williamson. But the former No.1 pick hasn’t yet lived up to expectations and has appeared frustrated at times with how the team is going and his role. Frankly, we haven’t seen Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum on the court together enough to get a proper gauge of how good they can be. McCollum’s lung injury did open the door for Dyson Daniels to play more minutes though and show a glimpse of the Aussie young gun’s promising future.
17. LA CLIPPERS (8-9)
Still adjusting to life with James Harden, the Clippers might’ve worked things out. After starting the Harden era 0-5, Tyronn Lue’s side has since won five of its last seven games as it starts to move up the West standings. There were always to be growing pains with Harden and a need to fine-tune rotations, which has ultimately seen Russell Westbrook move to the bench. Well, over their last six games, the Clippers have the best defensive rating in the league, while Harden is coming off his best game yet as a Clipper with a season-high 26 points, five triples and five steals. Paul George’s hot start to the season hasn’t been talked about enough too amid the team’s struggles.
18. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (8-10)
It’s hard to know what to make of Golden State at times and how much we judge Steve Kerr’s team on reputation. Some predicted the addition of Chris Paul would take the Warriors to the next level, but right now they’re sitting just inside the Play-In qualification. It’s been the same story as last season — they rely too much on Steph Curry, Klay Thompson has been inconsistent and unreliable, Draymond Green has been engulfed in drama and the young players haven’t stepped up (but haven’t necessarily had opportunities to). Andrew Wiggins has meanwhile fallen off a cliff to leave a big scoring void, but Kerr doesn’t quite seem prepared yet to pass the baton to the next crop. They’ve gone 2-8 in their last 10 games and Paul has already suffered his first injury setback of the season.
Curry tops Wemby in battle of the stars | 01:11
19. HOUSTON ROCKETS (8-8)
Ime Uodka has done some sort of job in his first 16 games as Rockets coach. A team considered a potential improver looks like a genuine playoff team. It’s been a bit of a seesaw — with revolving winning and losing streaks — but this team is highly disciplined defensively, helped by the addition of Dillon Brooks, is deep and has beaten reigning champion Denver twice. Having an established point guard in Fred VanVleet has provided more overall structure and Alpereen Sengun looks like a mini Jokic in a brilliant breakout season from the 21-year old centre. And to think the Rockets tried — and failed — to land Brook Lopez in the off-season in what would’ve almost certainly prevented Sengun from doing what he’s doing now. A really impressive start in H-Town in a big tick overall. Now just to replicate their home form (8-1) on the road (0-7) — and more Jock Landale too please!
20. ATLANTA HAWKS (8-9)
One thing you can count on with Atlanta — it’s going to score in bunches. The Hawks have the No. 5 offensive rating this season while averaging 122.5 points per game — trailing only Indiana — driven by Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Jalen Johnson’s emergence has offset John Collins’ departure, and so the forward’s injury leaves a big hole in Quin Snyder’s streamlined rotation — that has featured Patty Mills for all of five total minutes this season. After a promising start to the season, the Hawks have gone 2-5 over their last seven games, so they have a few things to figure out ahead of tough upcoming schedule including playing Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Denver in their next five games. Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu remain locked in a minutes split at centre, but you sense it’s only a matter of time before Okongwu is given full rein.
21. BROOKLYN NETS (9-8)
The Nets have managed to keep their head above water despite battling a host of injuries to the likes of Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, Cameron Johnson and Cam Thomas. Considering the amount of changes to the line-up, Brooklyn would be happy to currently be sitting ninth in the East including currently riding a three-game winning streak. The team has also had the sixth-toughest schedule in the league, according to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, while Mikal Bridges hasn’t quite had the breakout season some anticipated yet. With all that in mind, there’s a fair bit of upside when — or if — the Nets get fully healthy.
22. TORONTO RAPTORS (9-10)
Offence has been the main concern for the Raptors — in particular their bottom-five ranked three-point shooting. As good as Scottie Barnes has been in a breakout season from the forward, it’s hard to get a grasp of this team’s identity. One game it’s Barnes leading the charge, the next it’s Pascal Siakam, while OG Anunoby has struggled amongst it all and Jakob Poeltl has been used sparingly despite costing the team a first-round pick and getting a juicy contract extension. Could they be sellers at the deadline? Dennis Schroder has at least enjoyed a strong season as the team’s new point guard to get back to some of his best form of years past.
23. UTAH JAZZ (6-12)
Lauri Markkanen is doing everything he can, but fair to say this season hasn’t started nearly well as last for the young Jazz. You could see it going either way in Utah — but it’s been tough goings for Will Hardy and company. After struggling in the opening games before getting injured, Walker Kessler now finds himself coming off the bench, though that should change soon, while Keyonte George has moved into the starting line-up in Hardy’s bid for more playmaking and movement in that opening five. The Jazz however still have major issues at both ends of the floor, and at some stage, they’ll need to commit to a path of either competing for the playoffs or rebuilding, as right now it feels like they’re trying do both but failing to achieve anything.
24. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (5-11)
Just when the Hornets were starting to turn their season around, the near worst possible thing happened – LaMelo Ball suffered another setback to his troublesome ankle that required surgery earlier this year. At full strength, Charlotte has a solid roster that could contend for the playoffs, but it hasn’t had all its key pieces on the floor together at once, with Ball central to everything. Controversial forward Miles Bridges has taken no time to get up to speed since returning from suspension, and now he and Terry Rozier in particular will need to take on a much bigger load with the Hornets’ franchise superstar sidelined for the next several weeks.
25. CHICAGO BULLS (5-14)
If it wasn’t already clear, it’s time to blow it up. Things are a mess for the Bulls right now — a team built to win now is a ways off and is sitting all the way down as the Eastern Conference 13th seed amid a five-game losing streak — including dropping eight of their last nine. If Chicago’s situation doesn’t improve, which, right now, it’s hard to see how it does, expect one — or both — of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan to be wearing a different jersey by the trade deadline. At least then Chicago can start building with a new nucleus, because the current one is stuck in NBA purgatory — where no team wants to be.
26. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (5-12)
Going according to script after the Damian Lillard trade as the Blazers prioritise developing their emerging crop of youngsters including Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson, who should eventually take over the starting point guard job. Portland recently snapped an eight-game losing streak, with its offence the key area letting it down. Anfernee Simons having only played one game due to a thumb injury clearly hasn’t helped. Elsewhere, Aussie duo Matisse Thybulle and Duop Reath are getting more opportunities in the rotation to show their worth, with the former’s defensive prowess again proving valuable.
27. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (4-13)
When is Ja Morant free to return again? It’s the question the Grizzlies would be repeatedly asking themselves amid a grim 4-13 start to the season as perhaps the most disappointing team. Because sure, having no Morant for over a quarter of the season is significant, but the Grizzlies have looked like a lottery team without him. It includes the Griz being ranked dead last in three-point shooting with the second-worst rated offence. Unlike Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. has struggled to step up with extra offensive opportunities. And as if it couldn’t get any worse, Marcus Smart is now sidelined for the next several weeks after suffering a nasty ankle injury. They did finally end their 0-8 winless drought at home — the last team to do so — after beating Utah on Thursday.
28. SAN ANTONIO SPURS (3-14)
The Spurs are probably lucky they’re not even lower (not that there’s much scope). But it’s been the very definition of growing pains and teething issues for the rebuilding team in welcoming Victor Wembanyama into its young core despite the No.1 pick’s sensational start to his career. San Antonio is in the midst of a 12-game losing streak to sit dead last in the West, while its -12.9 point difference is the worst in the NBA. Maybe expectations were simply set too high amid the hype around ‘Wemby’ — but just because they’re not playing well doesn’t mean their future isn’t bright. The Spurs are simply in experiment and trial and error mode — so even a Play-In appearance feels unlikely right now. Devin Vassell missing five games due to an adductor injury hasn’t helped their cause.
Spurs fall short despite Wemby heroics | 00:51
29. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (3-15)
Not that the Wizards were expected to be any good this season, but it’s probably been even worse than imagined, with Kyle Kuzma the sole shining light. It took for Washington to play the Pistons to end a nine-game losing streak and pick up its fifth overall win nearing the quarter-way mark of the season. Jordan Poole and Tyus Jones have underwhelmed, though neither have played big minutes amid some curious rotation decisions from Wes Unseld Jr. Ranked bottom 10 at both ends of the floor, the Wizards are officially in all-out tank mode and could be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
30. DETROIT PISTONS (2-16)
Perhaps the most alarming thing is that the Pistons started the season 2-1 and looked like a sneaky improver! Well, they’ve since lost 15 on the trot to hold the worst record in the NBA, with the eighth-worst defence and fourth-west offence. This is a team some thought could start climbing the standings after spending years going to the draft. But Detroit is still behind newer rebuilding teams like Portland, San Antonio and Washington, while Monty Williams can barely figure out his rotation and which players will help take this franchise forward. Having Cade Cunningham back has been important and rookie Ausar Thompson and second-year centre Jalen Duren have both impressed, but it looks set to be another long season in the Motor City — even if Bojan Bogdanovic’s imminent return will help.
It was always the expectation that the Philadelphia 76ers would part ways with Harden after the All-Star guard demanded a trade in June earlier this year.
For Philadelphia, it was a simple waiting game as the franchise looked to get the kind of return that it could later flip to land the top-tier star the Sixers need to keep Joel Embiid happy.
It was a similar situation when Ben Simmons sat out the first 54 games of his final season with Philadelphia before being traded for Harden.
The commentary at the time was similar too.
That the longer wait general manager Daryl Morey waited the more the Sixers wasted Embiid’s prime. But Morey held firm in his belief that patience would win out.
At the time it looked to be the case, with Morey landing Harden in a move that catapulted the 76ers back in contention. Now history is repeating itself. Although there is a key difference.
This time around the Sixers didn’t trade Harden for a star player. There wasn’t one on the market and may not be one available for some time now.
But crucially they did receive two first-round draft picks as part of the Harden trade, which Morey will now use in negotiations as he looks to secure that all-important star teammate for Embiid.
James Harden has been traded. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
There would be a greater sense of urgency if it wasn’t for the form of young guard Tyrese Maxey, who was just named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
“He eased the 76ers’ mind to doing this now,” NBA insider Brian Windhorst said on SportsCenter on Wednesday.
That, of course, doesn’t mean the Sixers front office is going to complacent in the belief the good times will keep coming and that the 22-year-old will continue playing at this level.
Speaking on ‘NBA Today’, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski — who broke the news of the trade on Tuesday afternoon — said Morey now has a vision that he can sell Embiid.
“The Sixers believe they can offer now a package comparable to what Jrue Holiday went for earlier this season from Portland once Milwaukee had moved on from him,” Wojnarowski said.
“They see that in their minds they can offer up that kind of package for the next available star guard or wing player and that’s going to be the Sixers’ goal in the short-term around Joel Embiid, to fortify this team again before the playoffs and then bring back those expiring contracts.
Clippers smash the Spurs in L.A. | 00:48
“This is a team now that could have up to $50-65 million in salary cap space this summer. There may not be the big free agent for them to go out and use it on but it opens up the door for trades for teams that are looking to get money off and certainly with those picks and with those assets, you look again at the February trade deadline and then this summer.
“That is what Daryl Morey is selling Joel Embiid on — that this is a season that can still end with a playoff run and that then there’s a future around him in Philly where they’re going to try to sell him on reshaping this roster and putting together the kind of team that Joel Embiid can look around at Boston, look around in Milwaukee and say I can compete with those guys.”
Milwaukee, of course, traded for Damian Lillard this summer to put the superstar guard alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo while Boston added Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to an already stacked roster headlined by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Now the pressure is on the Sixers, who are 2-1 to open the season, to make the kind of move that could help them compete with those two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
So, what happens next? Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
“I think the mandate is the same,” Windhorst said on ‘NBA Today’.
“Even if James Harden was happily on the 76ers and had signed a beautiful extension this offseason, they were under the same amount of pressure after a couple of seasons where they underachieved and the comments Joel Embiid made over the offseason.
“They were under pressure to get deeper into the playoffs this year, to make a run and win in the Eastern Conference. That’s one of the reasons why they changed their head coach, regardless of what was going to happen with James Harden.
“That’s the reality when you have a star player of this level, when you have an in their prime MVP. It is the mandate of Daryl Morey and Elton Brand and that organisation to keep Joel Embiid engaged and believing the team can compete for a championship.”
Windhorst added he understands Embiid is “in a good place”, although this is still very much a developing situation that will hinge on what exactly the Sixers can land in a trade and how quickly they can do it.
‘Four straight 3’s!’: Curry lets loose | 01:15
That is according to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne, who said Embiid is in “wait-and-see” mode. There would be no shortage of rival teams ready to pounce if he grows impatient.
“Joel looks at this like a poker player. Do I have big stack of chips next to me — talent — or do you have a short stack?” Shelburne said on SportsCenter.
“The question that everyone will be watching with Joel for the rest of this year and for as long as he gives them is how long and how patient is he going to be for them to find that third star?” she later added on ‘NBA Today’.
“Because a ‘26 first-round pick, a ‘28 first-round pick, he’ll be done with his prime by then. What about this year? What about next year?
“He doesn’t need to give them that much longer of his time to do something with those picks and I think that’s really the bottom line when it comes to a star player. They did well in this trade, they got back the two first-round picks.
“That was a red line for them. They had to have two first-round picks, what do you do with them now and how quickly?”
James Harden has been traded. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)Source: AFP
Well, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that Chicago’s Zach LaVine and Toronto’s OG Anunoby are two “names to watch” when it comes to potential trade targets.
“Some of the early chatter on names to watch with Philadelphia: Zach LaVine and OG Anunoby. LaVine is the kind of scorer/ball handler the Sixers could use. Anunoby is the versatile defender Philly needs against Boston/MIL in the playoffs,” wrote Mannix on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Meanwhile, NBA insider Marc Stein wrote on his latest Substack that “it wouldn’t surprise me if Morey, knowing his history, has even loftier secret targets”.
It could take a while though for those targets to emerge, especially if they are bigger names given teams are unlikely to hastily trade away a star player this early in the season.
It is a point Sam Amick of The Athletic made when breaking down what comes next after the Harden trade, describing it as an “unavoidable truth”.
“It’s safe to assume Morey has a list of targets for his possible replacement, but he’s also well aware that it could take some time for those players, whoever they might be, to become available,” Amick wrote.
“That’s the unavoidable truth that comes with this time of year when most teams remain hopeful enough about their prospects that the willingness to deal is relatively minimal. The annual uptick in desperation doesn’t typically come until later – like, say, much closer to the league’s Feb. 8 trade deadline.”
Could Philadelphia go after Zach LaVine (right)? (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Another key date to watch is December 15, when players who signed new contracts over the offseason can be traded.
As Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports pointed out, it is not as if the Celtics would have been expecting Jrue Holiday to suddenly become available so a trade well before the February deadline is not out of the picture either.
Although Fischer poured cold water over the likes of LaVine, Anunoby and Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam being trade targets.
“For all the noise surrounding Zach LaVine’s availability in Chicago, the Bulls have explored his market for the same reasons Philadelphia likely wouldn’t be interested in obtaining him: questionable defensive chops and winning formula and his gargantuan contract,” he wrote.
“The Raptors’ soon-to-be free agents Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby have yet to be real, gettable players on the market.”
He also added that even if there is the possibility that a big name is made available to trade in the near future that is at least not the case right now.
That, in turn, means there will be only more of a spotlight on just how long Embiid is willing to wait around.
Zion takes charge as Pelicans prevail! | 00:39
“By all accounts, Embiid remains committed to Morey and the Sixers’ organisation, awaiting what further tinkering will come this year or next summer,” Fischer wrote.
“And yet rival front offices are surely curious to see how long Embiid’s patience will last. That has further led opposing personnel to expect Philadelphia will actively target reinforcements this season, as opposed to waiting to score in free agency after another of Embiid’s prime years has come and gone.
“But there is no clear target who is clearly available. We’re not even five games into the regular season, roughly a third of the sample size most organisations require before making sweeping decisions on what needs to be tweaked up and down their rosters.”
Harden being traded was the first step for the Sixers. What happens next though is more important and the whole league will be watching.
The Bucks pulled the trigger on one of the biggest trades in recent seasons, landing point guard Damian Lillard to partner Giannis Antetokounmpo as they aim to head back to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, can Australia’s very own Josh Giddey and his emerging Oklahoma City Thunder squad progress to the playoffs after falling agonisingly short last season?
Here at foxsports.com.au, we’ve run our eye over all 30 teams. Read on for our bumper NBA season preview!
Analysis: It was only three seasons ago that the Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals, but in the two campaigns since, they’ve been bundled out in the first round. It’s clear what this team wants to do, considering they possess a stack of shooters, including Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic and the emerging Saddiq Bey. They also added Patty Mills and Wesley Matthews in the offseason as well as drafting shooting guard Kobe Bufkin. The back-court of Young and Dejounte Murray, who signed a 4-year, $120 million extension, is one of the best in the league. They compliment each other well and showed that in the first round of the playoffs, when taking two games off the Celtics. Quin Snyder took over as coach towards the end of last season and is an upgrade on Nate McMillan, who was fired heading into the All-Star break. Snyder has had a full offseason with the Hawks which is important, and that, coupled with the addition of two savvy veterans, should see Atlanta improve on last season and make some noise in the East.
Prediction: 6th in the East
BOSTON CELTICS
Gained: PF Kristaps Porzingis, PG Jrue Holiday, G Oshae Brissett
Lost: SG Marcus Smart, F Grant Williams, F Robert Williams, PG Malcolm Brogdon
Analysis: The Celtics have made the conference finals in three of the last four seasons but keep finding a way to fall short. Favoured by many to win it all in 2022-2023, it was a disappointing playoff campaign last season, taking six games to beat the Hawks, seven to progress over the 76ers in the conference semis before losing in seven against the Heat. Something needs to give in order to get over the hump, so GM Brad Stevens decided to make a number of huge moves this offseason, including orchestrating a bumper trade to acquire Porzingis. Unfortunately, that mean tough-nosed fan favourite Marcus Smart had to go. The Celtics also picked up Jrue Holiday in the Damien Lillard-to-Milwaukee three-team trade. In addition, star forward Jaylen Brown ensured his future in Boston by signing the richest NBA deal ever. Throw in MVP candidate Jayson Tatum and the Celtics boasts one of the most potent offenses in the NBA and are as well as they’ve ever been placed to win their first title in 15 years.
Prediction: 1st
BROOKLYN NETS
Gained: PG Dennis Smith Jr, G Lonnie Walker, F Noah Clowney (draft), G Dariq Whitehead (draft)
Lost: F Yuta Watanabe
Analysis: The question on the lips of many is ‘will Ben Simmons ever get back to his best?’ The Aussie star has barely been sighted over the past two seasons (just 42 games) and has become an NBA whipping boy. However, there have been good signs in the offseason/preseason that Simmons is ready to perform like we know he can. Simply put, he’s going to have to for this Nets team to have any chance of winning at least one playoff series. Defensively, Simmons makes this team much better, and that aspect is going to have to be a strength for a Nets side who lack a superstar. Mikal Bridges emerged last season after being traded from Phoenix as a part of the Kevin Durant deal. Of course, the Nets boast several draft picks from the Durant and Kyrie Irving (Dallas) trades, so perhaps the front office could use those in future deals to improve their team immediately. However, until that happens, the Nets are just a middle-of-the-road team.
Prediction: 12th
Ben Simmons.Source: Getty Images
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Gained: Brandon Miller (1st round draft pick)
Lost: G Dennis Smith Jr, Kelly Oubre Jr, Kai Jones
Analysis: The Hornets were never in the hunt last season, finishing with one of the worst records in the league (27-55). They are likely to be significant improvers this time around, even though it likely won’t end in a playoff berth. Charlotte drafted Alabama guard/forward Brandon Miller with the second overall pick, and he’s a player who should boost this team right away as he was the most-ready-made prospect in the entire draft. LaMelo Ball is a star, who inked a massive five-year extension, but his absence through injury for most of last season was noticeable. The Hornets really could have used Miles Bridges, but his future on the team is uncertain. Bridges, who didn’t play at all last season, was suspended 30 games by the league after being charged with domestic violence. He was due back this season but has since violated a protection order. There are some good, young pieces on this roster (Ball, Miller), and underrated players who are more than capable (PJ Washington, Mark Williams) and will improve from last season, I just don’t think there are a team primed to challenge in the East just yet.
Prediction: 13th
CHICAGO BULLS
Gained: G Jevon Carter, F Torrey Craig
Lost: G Pat Beverley, F Derrick Jones Jr.
Analysis: It’s fair to say the 2022-23 Bulls were a big disappointment. The 40-42 record indicates a mediocre team, which is what they were, despite boasting Zach Lavine, Demar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. With so much money tied up in those three players, there isn’t much wiggle room for the Bulls to improve their roster and barring the pick-up of some needed point guard depth in Jevon Carter, they didn’t really get a whole lot better in the offseason. Sadly, Lonzo Ball will again miss yet another season with his troublesome left knee. He would have been a huge help. High draft pick Patrick Williams hasn’t kicked on like the franchise would have expected, and if anything, regressed last season. At this stage, the Bulls are a middling team and with Lavine, DeRozan and Vucevic not getting any younger, I don’t envisage them scaring anyone in the East.
Prediction: 9th
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Gained: G Max Strus, F Georges Niang, G Emoni Bates (draft)
Lost: F Cedi Osman
Analysis: Donovan Mitchell was excellent in his first season with the Cavs, averaging over 28 points a game, building a strong back-court with the talented PG Darius Garland who should only improve again in what is his fifth year in the league. Evan Mobley impressed in his second season, showing off plenty of versatility. After winning 51 games in the regular season, was an anticlimactic end for the Cavs, losing to the Knicks 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs. They were able to get better in the offseason as they didn’t lose any key players but were able to add a couple of sharpshooters in Max Strus and Georges Niang. The Cavs are one of the better teams in the East, but until they can win at least a series in the postseason, they aren’t yet a serious threat for the title.
Prediction: 3rd
Donovan MitchellSource: Getty Images
DETROIT PISTONS
Gained: F Joe Harris, G Monte Morris, G Ausar Thompson (draft)
Lost: G Cory Joseph
Analysis: The Pistons have a new coach in the well-regarded Monty Williams and plenty of young pieces who should enjoy long NBA careers. The return of Cade Cunningham is key. He was very good as a rookie and improved in his second season but only played 12 games before a stress fracture ended his season, although there was seldom a shot he didn’t like which affected his shooting percentage. Jaden Ivey is Cunningham’s running mate in the back court and he made huge strides last season. Jalen Duren is Detroit’s centre of the future while rookie Ausar Thompson will have an immediate impact defensively. It won’t be hard to win more games than they did last season (17) but it won’t be for at least a couple of years until we see the Pistons be in a position to challenge for a championship.
Prediction: 14th
INDIANA PACERS
Gained: G Bruce Brown, F Opi Toppin, G Ben Sheppard (draft), F Jarace Walker
Lost: G Chris Duarte
Analysis: There were plenty of decent signs from this Pacers team last year, despite missing the postseason with a 35-47 record. Tyrese Haliburton was one of the league’s best point guards and was rewarded with a new contract. The Pacers added the tenacious Bruce Brown from the championship winning Nuggets and playing around him will only improve this team’s effort. Bennedict Mathurin looks set for a very good career in this league after showing out as a 6th man in his rookie season. Expect to see him in the starting line up in the near future. The Pacers should improve on last season’s record.
Prediction: 11th
MIAMI HEAT
Gained: C Thomas Bryant, F Jaime Jaquez (draft)
Lost: G Gabe Vincent, G Victor Oladipo, F Max Strus
Analysis: It was a remarkable run from the Heat last season, progressing to the NBA Finals from the Play-In Tournament. The catalyst for that run was the play of Jimmy Butler, who had one of the all-time finals series. There was a time during the offseason where it appeared Damian Lillard would end up at the Heat, but it was the Bucks who swooped in, which caught the ire of a few Miami players, notably Butler. However, they have to let bygones be bygones and focus on the team they have. Tyler Herro’s return from a wrist injury is a big boost but the losses of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus will be felt as both players were strong contributers last season. With that said, the Butler-led Heat will again be competitive with Herro and Bam Adebayo to feature prominently. After last season, you just can’t count this team out.
Prediction: 7th
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Gained: PG Damian Lillard, G Malik Beasley, C Robin Lopez
Lost: PG Jrue Holiday, G Grayson Allen
Analysis: After being bundled out in the first round last year (the sixth ever No.1 seed to lose to an 8 seed), superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo made no secret that the Bucks had to make improvements soon or he might be out of there. The front office were obviously listening as the Bucks pulled off one of biggest trades in recent memory when acquiring Portland point guard Damian Lillard. Unfortunately, they had to part ways with fan favourite Jrue Holiday but it was clear it was a move Milwaukee had to make to get back into the NBA Finals. It’s the first time both Lillard and Antetokounmpo have played with another star player and the veteran point guard’s best chance of winning a championship after toiling away in Portland in recent seasons. Giannis may have only just signed a new three-year extension worth $186m (USD), but the clock is ticking on this new partnership. The Bucks have to win now as the franchise have committed so much money to both Antetokounmpo and Lillard to the tune of over $122m (USD) a year between the two of them. In fact, Antetokounmpo and Lillard are the two highest earners in the NBA annually ($62m, $60.8m respectively). The Bucks’ first round exit last season resulted in coach Mike Budenholzer’s firing. He’s been replaced with former Toronto assistant and rookie head coach Adrian Griffin.
Prediction: 2nd
Milwaukee’s trade for Damian Lillard sent shockwaves through the NBA.Source: AFP
NEW YORK KNICKS
Gained: G Donte DiVincenzo
Lost: G Derrick Rose, F Obi Toppin
Analysis: The Knicks won just their second playoff series in 10 years when defeating the Cavs 4-1. It was one of their better seasons in recent memory and they’ll hope to build off that. The Jalen Brunson acquisition was a terrific move with the point guard taking his game to a new level in New York after getting out from under Luka Doncic’s shadow in Denver. Immanuel Quickley also had a career-best season, resulting in a runner-up finish in the sixth man of the year race. There are no out-and-out superstars on their roster, but they have a very good core of Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett and are a well-coached team. They will be thereabouts again.
Prediction: 5th
ORLANDO MAGIC
Gained: G Anthony Black (draft), F Jett Howard (draft)
Lost: F Bol Bol
Analysis: There’s plenty to like about this team and the way they finished off last season, and if it wasn’t for such a sluggish start, the Magic would have likely made the Play-In Tournament. Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero was immense from day dot for the Magic, averaging nearly 21 points and seven rebounds a game. He leads a young team that just got younger in the offseason, adding Anthony Black (6th overall) and Jett Howard (11th overall) in the draft. Orlando just inked an extension with handy guard Cole Anthony who is plenty versatile and will be a sixth-man of the year contender this season. Are the Magic a serious threat? Far from it, but they should provide plenty of entertainment as they continue navigating through a rebuild.
Prediction: 10th
Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic may surprise some people this season.Source: AFP
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Gained: G Pat Beverley, F Kelly Oubre
Lost: F Georges Niang, G Shake Milton
Analysis: We will start with the elephant in the room. What in the world is going on with James Harden? At this stage, it doesn’t appear he’ll be on the floor for the 76ers’ opening game against the Bucks on Friday (AEDT). What happened? Well the relationship between Harden and GM Daryl Morey has disintegrated badly with the star guard publicly calling out Morey numerous times this offseason in addition to requesting a trade (which hasn’t been granted). Harden opted into his contract and picked up his $35.6 million (USD) option but then wanted to be traded. In Harden’s eyes, he should have been offered a long term deal and wasn’t so Morey can’t be trusted. New coach Nick Nurse will have to go on without Harden, who led the league in assists last season. Joel Embiid was able to win his first MVP this season, and while he will still be one of the best players in basketball with or without Harden, he may not be as effective as last season without Harden running point. The 76ers have picked up a couple of good role players in Beverley and Oubre Jr, the latter who will instantly improve the team’s three-point shooting.
Prediction: 4th
Has James Harden played his last game for the 76ers?Source: AFP
TORONTO RAPTORS
Gained: G Dennis Schroder, G Gradey Dick (draft)
Lost: G Fred VanVleet
Analysis: It’s a new dawn for the Toronto Raptors, who fired Nick Nurse after an underwhelming 10th placed finish last season and replaced him with rookie NBA head coach Darko Rajakovic. All-Star forward Pascal Siakam is the star of the show, but he’ll need help from the likes of Scottie Barnes and OG Anunoby with Fred VanVleet leaving in free agency. It was somewhat of a sophomore slump for Barnes last season but expect him to bounce back. He’s a stat sheet filler who is improving his shooting range so if the Raptors are to play well, he’ll need to be better. Rookie Gradey Dick is a three-point threat which is desperately needed, especially in VanVleet’s absence. They are a long way from getting back to a championship, but their best form would be good enough to progress to the playoffs and perhaps win a series.
Prediction: 8th
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Gained: G Jordan Poole, G Tyus Jones, G Landry Shamet, F Bilal Coulibaly (draft)
Lost: G Brad Beal, G Monte Morris, F Kristaps Porzingis
Analysis: The Wizards said farewell to Brad Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, their two best players. Beal is a huge loss as he was the heart-and-soul of this team, but it was a necessary change to trade him onto a contender as they weren’t getting anywhere with him as the team’s first scoring option. Instead, they’ll rely on walking bucket Jordan Poole and the newly extended Kyle Kuzma. Poole has his shortcomings, but he proved when given the chance to start at the Warriors, that he could post big numbers. Bilal Couliabaly is a promising high draft pick who should find himself playing quite a bit in his rookie year. They might prove to be a plucky team at times, but make no mistake, the Wizards will be finishing near the bottom of the standings in the East.
Prediction: 15th
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Mavericks
Gained: F Grant Williams, G Seth Curry, G Dante Exum, C Richaun Holmes, C Dereck Lively II (draft)
Lost: F Reggie Bullock
Analysis: The Mavs suffered a late-season collapse, missing the playoffs despite heading into the All-Star break with a 31-26 record. That collapse coincided with the arrival of Kyrie Irving in late February. Whether Irving and Luka Doncic can coexist is the big question. They went 5-11 when playing together last season, but with the benefit of a full offseason under their belt together, expect that record to prove to be an outlier. Dallas added several handy role players which will help defensively, including Grant Williams from the Celtics. Aussie Dante Exum is back in the NBA with Dallas and he too will had plenty of starch defensively. Tipping the Mavericks to hit back from a disappointing 2022-2023 and progress to the postseason.
Prediction: 7th in the West
Can Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic coexist in Dallas?Source: AFP
Denver Nuggets
Gained: G Justin Holiday
Lost: G Bruce Brown, F Jeff Green
Analysis: Last season’s champs did it with the ears pricked in the end as the nonchalant, harness racing-loving Nikola Jokic proved he was the best player in the NBA with his first title. Guard Jamal Murray made a big leap last season, earning a place on the All-NBA team while Michael Porter Jr. hit big shots time and time again. The departure of Bruce Brown is hard to replace, but there a couple of younger players like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson who can play a similar role. The Nuggets didn’t get much better, but they won’t need to to go back-to-back as was the ease they cruised to a championship last season. At this early stage, the West is between the Nuggets and Suns with a bit of a gap to the rest of the teams.
Prediction: 2nd
Golden State Warriors
Gained: G Chris Paul, G Cory Joseph, Brandin Podziemski (draft)
Lost: G Jordan Poole, G Donte DiVicenzo
Analysis: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green may be in the twilight of their careers, but as long as that core is on the floor, Golden State can never be counted out. Jordan Poole was traded to the Wizards, with veteran PG Chris Paul joining the Warriors. It’s hard to envisage what Golden State will look like with Paul joining the fray, but there’s no doubt he adds another level head and basketball smarts to a team that aren’t lacking in those areas. The key is Steph Curry and whether he can continue to play at such a high level. The Warriors adding a savvy vet in Cory Joseph while Jonathan Kuminga improved vastly last season and has been near outstanding in preseason action. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski is another who has been balling out for the Warriors this preseason. They’ll shock some people and make a deep run.
Prediction: 5th
Houston Rockets
Gained: G Amen Thompson (draft), G Cam Whitmore (draft), F Dillon Brooks, G Fred VanVleet, C Jock Landale, F Jeff Green
Lost: G Kevin Porter Jr, F KJ Martin
Analysis: Were willing to make a splash in free agency, giving rich deals to Fred VanVleet and the polarising Dillon Brooks. From an outsiders perspective, it may look like Houston paid overs for these two players, but for a young team yearning for experience, they are good acquisitions. VanVleet will be good for 20 points a night, while Brooks’ defensive prowess can’t be overstated, despite his shortcomings. Houston traded last season’s point guard Kevin Porter Jr. because of serious legal issues, so VanVleet will be required to earn every cent of his $128.5m (USD) contract. The Rockets drafted Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in the first round to add to a young core of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr and the very impressive big man Alperen Sengun. There will be more growing pains for this group this campaign, but they should eclipse last season’s 22 win total.
Prediction:13th
LA Clippers
Gained: G Kobe Brown (draft), Kenyon Martin Jr
Lost: G Eric Gordon
Analysis: This shapes up as a huge season for the Clippers. In what has been indicative of the past few seasons, they were bundled out after a 4-1 first round series loss to the Suns with Paul George missing the entire series. When Kawhi Leonard and George joined the team in July 2019, many thought the Clippers would soon be winning championships or at the very least, contesting the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case with injuries playing a big factor as Leonard and George have only played together in 142 of a possible 308 games, going an impressive 96-46. That stat alone should give Clippers fans hope that if these two superstars can stay on the court, it bodes well for their title chances. However, from what we’ve seen recently, it is a big if.
Prediction: 3rd
LA Lakers
Gained: C Jaxson Hayes, F Taurean Prince, F Christian Wood, G Gabe Vincent
Lost: G Malik Beasley, G Dennis Schroder
Analysis: The Lakers have probably one of the more well-rounded rosters heading into a new season than they have in years past. Depth has been the concern in those recent seasons, but the Lakers were able to add some handy pieces such as Christian Wood and Gabe Vincent, which will potentially be low risk, high reward signings. Both are very handy players, Wood especially on his day. With that said, the burning question is whether 38-year-old LeBron James shows any sign of slowing down. It doesn’t appear he is just yet and with running mate Anthony Davis at the peak of his powers, the Lakers look well placed to make another deep run with these added parts to the roster expected to be key.
Predicition: 6th
LeBron James is gearing up for season 21.Source: AFP
Memphis Grizzlies
Gained:
Lost:
Analysis: The Western Conference will be extremely competitive this season, and despite winning 50 games in 2022-2023 to finish second, the Grizzlies are a team who may find themselves sliding down the standings. Star point guard Ja Morant will miss the first 25 games and centre Steven Adams is out for the entire season with a knee injury. The conference is so strong and a slow start without Morant might be too tough to overcome later in the season. Adding Marcus Smart via trade was a shrewd move after gun defender Dillon Brooks left for Houston in free agency. The Grizzlies are a tight-knit bunch who are well-coached, but their lack of top-tier talent outside of Morant may hurt them in a season a number of teams in the conference are expected to ascend.
Prediction: 10th
Minnesota Timberwolves
Gained: G Shake Milton
Lost: F Tauren Prince
Analysis: Intriguing team are the Wolves. On paper, they have one of the more talented starting fives in the league, but for one reason or another, they can never seem to gel as a unit. Anthony Edwards as a bona fide superstar and has earned every cent of the bumper new $260 million (USD) deal he signed in the offseason. For mine, he’s Minnesota’s most important player, however what will also be critical to the Timberwolves’ success will be how the frontcourt pairing of Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert will work. Minnesota sold the farm for Gobert before last season but his form was mixed at best. He didn’t see much time on the floor with KAT though with the latter only appearing in 29 games last season. One thing that this team doesn’t lack though is confidence. Point guard Mike Conley isn’t short of belief in this group, stating at Minnesota’s media day, “I think that last year our team, if we were healthy, we were a team that could have been the Denver Nuggets of last year”. Huge call, but it’s hard to disagree that if these talented group of players can find a way to put it altogether, the Timberwolves can make some noise this season.
Prediction:8th
Timberwolves star Anthony EdwardsSource: Getty Images
New Orleans Pelicans
Gained: G Jordan Hawkins (draft)
Lost: C Jaxson Hayes
Analysis: After a terrific first couple of months, the Pelicans dropped off to finish 9th in the West last season and were eliminated during the Play-In Tournament after a loss to the Thunder. At the moment, they are simply a middling team who don’t have the firepower to challenge for a title. Australia’s own Dyson Daniels, Herbert Jones and sharpshooter Trey Murphy III are three players set to make a big leap this season and improve on their strong end to 2022-2023, but outside of them, a lot of guys have hit their ceiling. There’s talent on this roster, notably Zion Williamson, but he just can’t stay healthy. If the Pelicans were to make into the playoffs, it wouldn’t be a shock, but there’s as good a chance they miss out completely. The concern is that they didn’t really improve in the offseason other than adding rookie Jordan Hawkins in the draft whereas other teams around them in the standings in the West, did.
Prediction: 11th
Oklahoma City Thunder
Gained: F Davis Bertans, G Cason Wallace (draft)
Lost: F Dario Saric, C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Analysis: Every Aussie’s first or second favourite team made huge strides last season. The Thunder were one game away from progressing to a seven-game playoff series, but were defeated by Minnesota in the Play-In Tournament. Conventional wisdom suggests they’ll improve on that result with last year’s number two overall pick Chet Holmgren to now feature in the line-up. It’s essentially Holmgren’s rookie year after missing all of last season with a foot injury. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved he is one of the most prolific scores in the league last season and the Thunder will go as far as he takes them, while Josh Giddey took a huge leap in his development Giddey was able to score more effectively last season, and many experts expect him to enjoy a breakout campaign in 2023-2024. A starting five of Giddey, SGA, last season’s outstanding rookie Jalen Williams, Holmgren and Lu Dort will make some noise in the West, and if they can keep those four core players together, success appears imminent at some stage over the next four to five seasons.
Prediction:9th
Phoenix Suns
Gained: G Brad Beal, C Jusuf Nurkic, G Grayson Allen
Lost: G Chris Paul, G Landry Shamet
Analysis: The Suns arguably possess the most potent trio of scorers in the league with Brad Beal joining Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix. The Suns gave away quite a bit to land Beal, including giving away Chris Paul and a number of draft pick swaps. Phoenix will be hoping Beal can be that piece that can help them get back to the NBA Finals after failing to progress pass the second round in the last two seasons. In addition, Durant has had the benefit of a full offseason with the Suns after arriving halfway through 2022-2023 campaign. They loom as the biggest threat to Denver in the West, and betting markets reflect that with the Suns and Nuggets $3.75 joint favourites to win the conference. While centre Deandre Ayton is a loss, former Trail Blazer Jusuf Nurkic is no slouch, and will certainly be an offensive threat down low that opponents can’t take lightly. The additions of bench players Grayson Allen, Bol Bol and Chimezie Metu ensures the Suns’ depth won’t be an issue.
Prediction:1st
The NBA’s newest superstar trio: Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.Source: Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers
Gained: G Scoot Henderson (draft), F Kris Murray (draft)
Lost: G Damian Lillard
Analysis: The end of an era in Portland. Star guard Damian Lillard, after 11 seasons of tremendous service, was traded in the offseason to Milwaukee. It was a move both teams had to make, as the Trail Blazers weren’t able to build a strong enough team around Lillard to contest. However, as sad as it is to see a player like Lillard go, Portland fans are ready for the Scoot Henderson show. Henderson fell to the Trail Blazers at pick number 3 in the 2023 NBA Draft, and will probably be the main option offensively. Anfernee Simons is a future All-Star who improved last season while Jerami Grant, who inked a rich five-year extension, can score from anywhere on the court while former number 1 pick Deandre Ayton will command plenty of respect from opponents. Depth is the concern for the Trail Blazers, but even though they are in the midst of a rebuild, they will have their moments this season.
Prediction: 14th
Sacramento Kings
Gained: G Chris Duarter, C Nerlens Noel, G Sasha Vezenkov (Euroleague)
Lost: C Richaun Holmes
Analysis: The question is, can they back up last season’s somewhat surprising third-placed finish in the West? They had the talent, but they were able to put it altogether and break a lengthy playoff drought. They wound up being bundled out by the Warriors in the first round, but that’s nothing to scoff at. The West is always a tough conference, so it’s hard to be confident they’ll nab a top four seed, but one thing is for sure – the Kings haven’t got worse. Sacramento have added Sasha Vezenkov from the Euroleague, and he’s shown in the preseason that he’ll be a player that has to be closely guarded on the perimeter from opposition defenses. Superstar point guard De’Aaron Fox is just hitting his prime so expect him to build on last season’s career best campaign, which resulted in a maiden All-Star appearance.
Prediction:4th
San Antonio Spurs
Gained: F Victor Wembanyama (draft), F Cedi Osman, G Reggie Bullock
Analysis: It’s safe to say they’ll be one of the most-watched teams this season, particularly early on because of the addition of one Victor Wembanyama. The 224cm, 19-year-old is the most hyped prospect since LeBron James and for good reason. His rare size blends with an unique skillset blends which creates a type of player that hasn’t been seen before in the NBA. While Wembanyama will undoubtedly make this team better, it’s still a very young roster in San Antonio. Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell are nice pieces who are improving but growing pains are to be expected again from the Spurs. Plenty will disagree, but this team will struggle to finish better than the bottom two in the West even with their shiny new toy.
Predicition:15th
Victor WembanyamaSource: AFP
Utah Jazz
Gained: F John Collins, F Taylor Hendricks (draft), G Keyonte George (draft), Brice Sensabaugh (draft)
Lost: C Juan Toscano-Anderson
Analysis: The acquisition of John Collins from Atlanta in a trade will help this burgeoning roster. Collins joins a frontcourt consisting of the up-and-coming centre Walker Kessler and All-Star Lauri Markkanen. In the back-court, Jordan Clarkson is a sharpshooter who can go on a tear with the drop of a hat, while Collin Sexton has flashed glimpses. Consistency is the issue with him, but if he can figure that out, he has a tonne of upside. There’s plenty to be excited about for Jazz fans, including three first round draft picks. But while they might not go deep into the playoffs, it wouldn’t shock to see them nab a lower seed and contest a Play-In match.
