NBA 2024-25 Season Preview

The 2024-25 NBA season is officially underway with excitement in so many different areas. Just like practically every year, we have some familiar faces in new places. Paul George is now a Sixer, CP3 is joining Wemby in San Antonio, Klay left his long residence in The Bay for Dallas, and so much more. The Celtics will defend their 18th title, breaking their tie at 17 with the Lakers and their first ring since 2008. In the East, the Knicks look to be their strongest competition, adding star wing Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, with hopes of bringing a title back to The Garden. So here it is, my 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, jam packed with standings/playoff/award predictions, team-by-team rosters and write-ups including insight on each team, and so much more. I hope you enjoy!

Standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1 – Boston Celtics 61-21
2 – New York Knicks 57-25
3 – Milwaukee Bucks 53-29
4 – Philadelphia 76ers 51-31
5 – Orlando Magic 50-32
6 – Indiana Pacers 49-33
— PLAY IN
7 – Cleveland Cavaliers 45-37
8 – Miami Heat 43-39
9 – Toronto Raptors 35-47
10 – Chicago Bulls 30-52
— ELIMINATED
11 – Atlanta Hawks 30-52
12 – Detroit Pistons 26-56
13 – Washington Wizards 24-58
14 – Brooklyn Nets 23-59
15 – Charlotte Hornets 21-61

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1 – Minnesota Timberwolves 57-25
2 – Denver Nuggets 55-27
3 – Phoenix Suns 52-30
4 – Sacramento Kings 50-32
5 – Dallas Mavericks 47-35
6 – New Orleans Pelicans 45-37
–PLAY-IN
7 – Oklahoma City Thunder 44-38
8 – Memphis Grizzlies 43-39
9 – Los Angeles Lakers 39-43
10 – Houston Rockets 38-44
–ELIMINATED
11 – Utah Jazz 38-44
12 – Los Angeles Clippers 35-47
13 – Golden State Warriors 31-51
14 – Portland Trail Blazers 31-51
15 – San Antonio Spurs 27-55

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Playoff Predictions

EAST

Play-In Tournament:
– 8 Miami over 7 Cleveland – Miami earns the 7-seed
– 9 Toronto over 10 Chicago – Chicago is eliminated
– 7 Cleveland over 9 Toronto – Cleveland earns the 8-seed, Toronto is eliminated

1st Round	EC Semis	EC Finals	EC Champs
1 – Boston vs. (BOS in 4) 8 – Cleveland
4 – Philadelphia vs. (ORL in 6) 5 – Orlando	1 – Boston vs. (BOS in 6) 5 – Orlando
		1 – Boston vs. (NYK in 7) 2 – New York	New York Knicks EAST CHAMPS
3 – Milwaukee vs. (MIL in 7) 6 – Indiana	3 – Milwaukee vs. (NYK in 5) 2 – New York
2 – New York vs. (NYK in 6) 7 – Miami

WEST

Play-In Tournament:
– 7 Oklahoma City over 8 Memphis – Oklahoma City earns 7-seed
– 10 Houston over 9 LA Lakers – LA Lakers are eliminated
– 8 Memphis over 10 Houston – Memphis earns 8-seed, Houston is eliminated

1st Round	WC Semis	WC Finals	WC Champs
1 – Minnesota vs. (MIN in 5) 8 – Memphis
4 – Sacramento vs. (SAC in 7) 5 – Dallas	1 – Minnesota vs. (MIN in 6) 4 – Sacramento
		1 – Minnesota vs. (DEN in 7) 2 – Denver	Denver Nuggets WEST CHAMPS
3 – Phoenix vs. (NOP in 6) 6 – New Orleans	6 – New Orleans vs. (DEN in 6) 2 – Denver
2 – Denver vs. (DEN in 5) 7 – Oklahoma City

2025 NBA Finals:
Denver Nuggets over New York Knicks in 6 games

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Award Predictions

MVP: Luka Doncic, Dallas (+350)
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio (-130)
Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid, Minnesota (+1000)
Clutch Player of the Year: Stephen Curry, Golden State (+1000)
Most Improved Player: Brandon Miller, Charlotte (+5000)
Rookie of the Year: Alex Sarr, Washington (+900)
Coach of the Year: Chris Finch, Minnesota (+1800)

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Roster Projections

Boston Celtics

HC: Joe Mazzulla
3rd year
Career/Team record: 121-43, Playoff record: 27-12 – AGE: 36

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#42	Al Horford	6’9 | 240 lbs Florida | Age: 24	8.6 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.6 ast, 1 blk 51.1% FG, 41.9% 3P
F	#0	Jayson Tatum	6’8 | 210 lbs Duke | Age: 26	26.9 pts, 8.1 reb, 4.9 ast, 1 stl 47.1% FG, 37.6% 3P
SG/SF	#7	Jaylen Brown	6’6 | 223 lbs California | Age: 27	23 pts, 5.5 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.2 stl 49.9% FG, 35.4% 3P
G	#9	Derrick White	6’4 | 190 lbs Colorado | Age: 30	15.2 pts, 5.2 ast, 4.2 reb, 1.2 blk 46.1% FG, 39.6% 3P
PG	#4	Jrue Holiday	6’4 | 205 lbs UCLA | Age: 34	12.5 pts, 5.4 reb, 4.8 ast, 0.9 stl 48% FG, 42.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#30	Sam Hauser	6’7 | 217 lbs Virginia | Age: 26	9 pts, 3.5 reb, 1 ast, 0.5 stl 44.6% FG, 42.4% 3P
PG	#11	Payton Pritchard	6’1 | 195 lbs Oregon | Age: 26	9.6 pts, 3.4 ast, 3.2 reb, 0.5 stl 46.8% FG, 38.5% 3P
F	#26	Xavier Tillman	6’7 | 245 lbs Michigan St. | Age: 25	5.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.9 stl 43.4% FG – (MEM/BOS)
C	#40	Luke Kornet	7’1 | 250 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 29	5.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 1 blk 70% FG
F	#55	Baylor Scheierman (R)	6’6 | 205 lbs Creighton | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 30th overall by BOS
PF/C	#88	Neemias Queta	7’0 | 248 lbs Utah State | Age: 25	5.5 pts, 4.4 reb, 0.8 blk, 0.7 ast 64.4% FG
SG/SF	#27	Jordan Walsh	6’6 | 205 lbs Arkansas | Age: 20	9 GP, 1.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.6 ast 40% FG
SG	#44	Jaden Springer	6’4 | 202 lbs Tennessee | Age: 21	3.3 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.7 stl 39.9% FG – (PHI/BOS)
C	#8	Kristaps Porzingis* (I)	7’2 | 240 lbs Latvia | Age: 29	20.1 pts, 7.2 reb, 2 ast, 1.9 blk 51.6% FG, 37.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#20	J.D. Davison	6’1 | 195 lbs Alabama | Age: 21	8 GP, 2 pts, 1.3 reb, 1.3 ast 42.9% 3P
SF	#13	Drew Peterson	6’9 | 205 lbs USC | Age: 24	3 GP, 3.7 pts, 0.3 reb, 0.3 ast 60% 3P
F	#28	Anton Watson (R)	6’8 | 230 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 54th overall by BOS

*Kristaps Porzingis has a foot injury and may return in January

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 61-21, 1st in East
MVP: SF Jayson Tatum
X-Factor: SG Derrick White
ADD: SF Baylor Scheierman
LOSS: SF Oshae Brissett (free agent)
Grade: A-

After years of close calls, the Celtics were able to win it all in 2024, raising their 18th banner and moving past the Lakers for the all-time lead once again. It was an incredibly dominant season from Boston, who seemed to be miles ahead of anyone else in the league in ’23-’24. They finished a league best 64-18, while cruising through the East, defeating the Mavs 4-1 in the Finals, and going 16-3 in the playoffs. Now they return practically the same roster and will look to potentially go back-to-back.

Porzingis was an X-Factor for them all season, staying healthy and averaging 20/7/2 as a third option scorer. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White became two of the best role players in the entire league, with White being reward with an all-star appearance and a spot on the USA Olympic team. Once again they’ll enter the year as the clear cut best team in the league with their mix of veteran depth and star power lineup. Joe Mazzulla has become one of the league’s better young coaches, and will look to keep things rolling in what Boston fans hope to become a dynasty.

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Brooklyn Nets

HC: Jordi Fernández
1st year – AGE: 41

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#33	Nicolas Claxton	6’11 | 215 lbs Georgia | Age: 25	11.8 pts, 9.9 reb, 2.1 ast, 2.1 blk 0.6 stl, 62.9% FG
F	#28	Dorian Finney-Smith	6’7 | 220 lbs Florida | Age: 31	8.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.8 blk 42.1% FG, 34.8% 3P
F	#2	Cameron Johnson	6’8 | 210 lbs North Carolina | Age: 28	13.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.8 stl 44.6% FG, 39.1% 3P
SG	#24	Cam Thomas	6’3 | 210 lbs LSU | Age: 22	22.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.7 stl 44.2% FG, 36.4% 3P
G	#10	Ben Simmons	6’10 | 240 lbs LSU | Age: 28	15 GP, 6.1 pts, 7.9 reb, 5.7 ast 0.8 stl, 58.1% FG

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#17	Dennis Schröder	6’1 | 175 lbs Germany | Age: 31	14 pts, 6.1 ast, 3 reb, 0.8 stl 43.5% FG, 37.5% 3P – (TOR/BKN)
F	#44	Bojan Bogdanović	6’7 | 226 lbs Bosnia | Age: 35	15.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.5 stl 45.4% FG, 39.8% 3P – (DET/NYK)
F	#1	Ziaire Williams	6’9 | 185 lbs Stanford | Age: 23	8.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 39.7% FG, 30.7% 3P – (MEM)
PF/C	#21	Noah Clowney	6’9 | 210 lbs Alabama | Age: 20	5.8 pts, 3.5 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.7 blk 53.8% FG, 36.4% 3P
PF/C	#20	Day’Ron Sharpe	6’9 | 265 lbs North Carolina | Age: 22	6.8 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.7 blk 57.1% FG, 26.7% 3P
F	#0	Dariq Whitehead	6’6 | 220 lbs Duke | Age: 20	2 GP, 1.5 pts, 2 reb, 0.5 blk
SF	#22	Jalen Wilson	6’6 | 220 lbs Kansas | Age: 23	5 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 0.3 stl 42.5% FG, 32.4% 3P
PF	#9	Trendon Watford	6’8 | 237 lbs LSU | Age: 23	6.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.4 stl 52.7% FG, 39.7% 3P
G	#7	Shake Milton	6’5 | 205 lbs SMU | Age: 27	4.5 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.4 stl 40.5% FG, 28.1% 3P – (MIN/NYK)
G	#45	Keon Johnson	6’5 | 185 lbs Tennessee | Age: 22	5 GP, 6.2 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.6 ast 38.1% FG, 40% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#16	Jaylen Martin (R)	6’6 | 216 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 20	DNP – Played in G-League
SG	#8	Yongxi Cui (R)	6’5 | 190 lbs China | Age: 21	UNDRAFTED in 2024
SG	#13	Tyrese Martin	6’6 | 215 lbs UConn | Age: 25	DNP – Played in G-League

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 23-59, 14th in East
MVP: SF Cameron Johnson
X-Factor: PG Ben Simmons
ADD: PF Bojan Bogdanovic
LOSS: SF Mikal Bridges (traded to New York)
Grade: D

The Nets desperately tried to hold on to some relevance after the failed experiment with KD and Kyrie, but now look to be in full rebuild mode. They dealt star forward Mikal Bridges to the rival Knicks in exchange for several 1st round picks. It was a smart deal for a team that has no real hope to compete for the future, and needed to restock on future 1st rounders. This leaves veterans Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith as the key faces of the team. They will also finally get relief after the season, as Ben Simmons’ monster contract is in its final year. Simmons will truly be the X-Factor for this team, and it will be interesting to see what he can do to revive his career in a contract season.

The main young core will center around Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas who will have starting, and impactful roles all season for Brooklyn. 2023 1st rounder Dariq Whitehead looks to be fully healthy and can try to earn minutes in a frontcourt that is very wide open in depth. Veterans Bojan Bogdanovic and Dennis Schroder can become trade chips mid-season as well if they fall out of contention fast. First year coach Jordi Fernandez has his work cut out for him, and will look to bring some hope to a franchise that can’t seem to ever get anything right. A 25-30 win season should be their ceiling.

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New York Knicks

HC: Tom Thibodeau
5th year in New York (previous: Chicago ’10-’15, Minnesota ’16-’19)
Career record: 527-389, Team record: 175-143, Career Playoff record: 38-47 – AGE: 66

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF/C	#32	Karl-Anthony Towns	7’0 | 248 lbs Kentucky | Age: 28	21.8 pts, 8.3 reb, 3 ast, 0.7 blk 50.4% FG, 41.6% 3P – (MIN)
SF	#8	OG Anunoby	6’7 | 240 lbs Indiana | Age: 27	14.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.4 stl 48.9% FG, 38.2% 3P – (TOR/NYK)
SF	#25	Mikal Bridges	6’6 | 209 lbs Villanova | Age: 28	19.6 pts, 4.5 reb, 3.6 ast, 1 stl 43.6% FG, 37.2% 3P – (BKN)
SG/SF	#3	Josh Hart	6’4 | 215 lbs Villanova | Age: 29	9.4 pts, 8.3 reb, 4.1 ast, 0.9 stl 43.4% FG, 31% 3P
PG	#11	Jalen Brunson	6’2 | 190 lbs Villanova | Age: 28	28.7 pts, 6.7 ast, 3.6 reb, 0.9 stl 47.9% FG, 40.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#1	Cameron Payne	6’3 | 183 lbs Murray State | Age: 30	7.4 pts, 2.6 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.5 stl 43.2% FG, 39% 3P – (MIL/PHI)
PF/C	#5	Precious Achiuwa*	6’8 | 243 lbs Memphis | Age: 25	7.6 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.9 blk 50.1% FG, 26.8% 3P – (TOR/NYK)
PG	#2	Miles McBride	6’1 | 195 lbs West Virginia | Age: 24	8.3 pts, 1.7 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.7 stl 45.2% FG, 41% 3P
PG	#13	Tyler Kolek (R)	6’1 | 195 lbs Marquette | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 34th overall by POR
C	#20	Jericho Sims	6’10 | 250 lbs Texas | Age: 25	2 pts, 3.3 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.4 blk 0.2 stl, 69.1% FG
F	#4	Pacôme Dadiet (R)	6’7 | 200 lbs France | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 25th overall by NYK
C	#23	Mitchell Robinson** (I)	7’0 | 240 lbs W. Kentucky | Age: 26	5.6 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.2 stl, 1.1 blk 0.6 ast, 57.5% FG

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#00	Jacob Toppin	6’8 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 24	9 GP, 1.4 pts, 0.8 reb, 0.3 ast 55.6% FG, 25% 3P
SF	#9	Kevin McCullar Jr.*** (R)	6’5 | 206 lbs Kansas | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 56th overall by DEN
C	#55	Ariel Hukporti (R)	6’11 | 246 lbs Germany | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 58th overall by DAL

*Precious Achiuwa has a strained hamstring and may miss a month
**Mitchell Robinson had ankle surgery and may return in January
***Kevin McCullar Jr. has a knee bone bruise and may miss the start of the season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 57-25, 2nd in East
MVP: PG Jalen Brunson
X-Factor: SF Mikal Bridges
ADD: C Karl-Anthony Towns
LOSS: PF Julius Randle (traded to Minnesota)
Grade: A-

For the first time in my entire life I can finally say it’s great to be a Knicks fan. Since signing Jalen Brunson in 2022, the entire Knicks franchise has flipped into a consistent contender in the East. Sure they had some good moments of underdog glory with Julius Randle, but the real stability came with Brunson becoming the face. Last year’s run left a sour taste in the mouth of GM Leon Rose, as he attacked this offseason with force. The team finally had accumulated assets to trade for superstars, and that’s just what he did in acquiring Mikal Bridges. Following up on that, he shocked the NBA world with trading for Karl-Anthony Towns, a move that seemed to be a long time coming for the Knicks. OG Anunoby was also extended this offseason, justifying their decision to move on from R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley at last year’s deadline.

Now, entering ’24-’25, the team has two star level scorers in KAT and Brunson, two of the best wing defenders in the game in OG and Bridges, and a sense of grit from their role players that New York has long been waiting for. Departing with Julius Randle was the biggest blow in these moves, as he was the source of bringing a winning culture back to The Garden when he was signed in 2019 amidst the let down of losing out on signing KD and Kyrie. But, this is a business after all and I don’t think any Knick fan truly will forget Julius or the great contributions that DiVincenzo, Barrett, and Quickley gave the franchise. This team though is a pure winner, and if healthy, is a clear cut title contender. They are the best and most likely team to knock off the Celtics from winning back-to-back championships. The only problem they will need to address is their depth, and I think signing veterans midseason will be a likely avenue. A 2025 NBA Finals appearance is a strong likelihood for the first time in a while.

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Philadelphia 76ers

HC: Nick Nurse
2nd year in Philadelphia (previous: Toronto ’18-’23)
Career record: 227-163, Team record: 47-35, Career Playoff record: 27-20 – AGE: 57

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#21	Joel Embiid	7’0 | 280 lbs Kansas | Age: 30	34.7 pts, 11 reb, 5.6 ast, 1.7 blk 52.9% FG, 38.8% 3P
SF	#8	Paul George*	6’8 | 220 lbs Fresno State | Age: 34	22.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.5 stl 47.1% FG, 41.3% 3P – (LAC)
SG/SF	#9	Kelly Oubre Jr.	6’7 | 203 lbs Kansas | Age: 28	15.4 pts, 5 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.1 stl 44.1% FG, 31.1% 3P
G	#0	Tyrese Maxey	6’2 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 23	25.9 pts, 6.2 ast, 3.7 reb, 1 stl 45% FG, 37.3% 3P
PG	#7	Kyle Lowry	6’0 | 196 lbs Villanova | Age: 38	8.1 pts, 4.2 ast, 3.2 reb, 1 stl 43.2% FG, 39.2% 3P – (MIA/PHI)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#23	Eric Gordon	6’3 | 215 lbs Indiana | Age: 35	11 pts, 2 ast, 1.8 reb, 1 stl 44.3% FG, 37.8% 3P – (PHX)
PG	#00	Reggie Jackson	6’2 | 208 lbs Boston College | Age: 34	10.2 pts, 3.8 ast, 1.9 reb, 0.5 stl 43.1% FG, 35.9% 3P – (DEN)
SF	#16	Caleb Martin	6’5 | 205 lbs Nevada | Age: 28	10 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 0.7 stl 43.1% FG, 34.9% 3P – (MIA)
C	#5	Andre Drummond	6’11 | 279 lbs UConn | Age: 31	8.4 pts, 9 reb, 0.9 stl, 0.6 blk 0.5 ast, 55.6% FG – (CHI)
G	#20	Jared McCain (R)	6’2 | 203 lbs Duke | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 16th overall by PHI
F	#1	K.J. Martin	6’6 | 215 lbs IMG Academy | Age: 23	3.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.4 stl 53.6% FG, 28.6% 3P – (LAC/PHI)
C	#30	Adem Bona (R)	6’8 | 235 lbs UCLA | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 41st overall by PHI
F	#28	Guerschon Yabusele	6’8 | 275 lbs France | Age: 28	DNP – Played for Real Madrid (Euro)
SG	#16	Ricky Council IV	6’6 | 207 lbs Arkansas | Age: 23	5.4 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.3 stl 48.2% FG, 37.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#11	Jeff Dowtin Jr.	6’3 | 177 lbs Rhode Island | Age: 27	12 GP, 4.3 pts, 2.3 ast, 1.7 reb 55.6% FG, 47.4% 3P
SG/SF	#19	Justin Edwards (R)	6’8 | 203 lbs Kentucky | Age: 20	UNDRAFTED in 2024
G	#25	Lester Quiñones	6’5 | 208 lbs Memphis | Age: 23	4.4 pts, 1.9 reb, 1 ast, 0.2 stl 39.7% FG, 36.4% 3P – (GSW)

*Paul George has a knee injury and may miss a month

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 51-31, 4th in East
MVP: C Joel Embiid
X-Factor: SF Paul George
ADD: SF Paul George
LOSS: SF Tobias Harris (signed with Detroit)
Grade: A-

The Sixers had an up-and-down year in the first season of the Nick Nurse era, one that inevitably resulted in a 1st round exit at the hands of their rivals, the Knicks. Philly took to this offseason with a mindset of fixing the supporting cast around Embiid and superstar G Tyrese Maxey. Paul George was signed to a lucrative deal to become the third scoring option, as he looks to finally make the NBA Finals on his fourth team. With George added, Tobias Harris was let free and the bench was filled out with a ton of NBA vets to provide plenty of needed depth.

Kyle Lowry and Kelly Oubre were both re-signed, and should step in as starters once again as they were last year. Backcourt pieces like Eric Gordon, Caleb Martin, and Reggie Jackson were signed, with Andre Drummond providing bruiser minutes off the bench as a physical rebounder. Jared McCain also joins the mix after being drafted in the 1st round as a potential piece to build around in the backcourt with Maxey a few years down the line. Philly took the Phoenix approach of last offseason, adding a third scoring option (Bradley Beal), while using the rest of their available cap space to fill the bench with veterans. Sure this has the possibility to work, but injury issues with both George and Embiid should worry Philly fans. Will they be able to stay on the court together? Will it be long enough for them to beat out a tough front load of teams in the East? I see Philly doing well but they may struggle coming out of the gates early on.

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Toronto Raptors

HC: Darko Rajaković
2nd year
Career/Team record: 25-57 – AGE: 45

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#19	Jakob Poeltl	7’0 | 260 lbs Utah | Age: 28	11.1 pts, 8.6 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.5 blk 0.7 stl, 65.6% FG
F	#4	Scottie Barnes	6’7 | 237 lbs Florida State | Age: 23	19.9 pts, 8.2 reb, 6.1 ast, 1.5 blk 47.5% FG, 34.1% 3P
SG/SF	#11	Bruce Brown Jr.*	6’4 | 202 lbs Miami | Age: 28	10.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.9 stl 47.8% FG, 32.3% 3P – (IND/TOR)
SG/SF	#9	R.J. Barrett	6’6 | 214 lbs Duke | Age: 24	20.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 3.3 ast, 0.5 stl 49.5% FG, 36% 3P – (NYK/TOR)
G	#5	Immanuel Quickley	6’2 | 190 lbs Kentucky | Age: 25	17 pts, 4.9 ast, 3.8 reb, 0.7 stl 43.4% FG, 39.5% 3P – (NYK/TOR)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF/C	#41	Kelly Olynyk	6’11 | 240 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 33	9.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.4 ast, 0.9 stl 55.5% FG, 38.7% 3P – (UTA/TOR)
SG/SF	#1	Gradey Dick	6’6 | 200 lbs Kansas | Age: 20	8.5 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 42.5% FG, 36.5% 3P
PG	#45	Davion Mitchell	6’0 | 202 lbs Baylor | Age: 26	5.3 pts, 1.9 ast, 1.3 reb, 0.2 stl 45.2% FG, 36.1% 3P – (SAC/TOR)
SF	#17	Garrett Temple	6’5 | 195 lbs Temple | Age: 38	3.3 pts, 1.7 reb, 1 ast, 0.4 stl 37.2% FG, 30% 3P
SG	#14	Ja’Kobe Walter (R)	6’4 | 195 lbs Baylor | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 19th overall by TOR
PF/C	#25	Chris Boucher	6’9 | 200 lbs Oregon | Age: 31	6.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 0.5 blk, 0.5 ast 50.7% FG, 33% 3P
SG	#30	Ochai Agbaji	6’5 | 215 lbs Kansas | Age: 24	5.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 41.1% FG, 29.4% 3P – (UTA/TOR)
PF/C	#24	Bruno Fernando	6’9 | 240 lbs Maryland | Age: 26	6.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 blk 0.6 stl, 58.3% FG – (ATL)
PG	#23	Jamal Shead (R)	6’0 | 201 lbs Houston | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 45th overall by SAC
F	#2	Jonathan Mogbo (R)	6’6 | 225 lbs San Francisco | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 31st overall by TOR

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#3	D.J. Carton	6’3 | 200 lbs Marquette | Age: 24	4 GP, 2.8 pts, 1 reb, 0.8 ast 37.5% FG, 25% 3P
C	#22	Ulrich Chomche (R)	6’10 | 232 lbs Cameroon | Age: 18	DRAFTED: 57th overall by MEM
SF	#77	Jamison Battle (R)	6’7 | 229 lbs Ohio State | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

*Bruce Brown had knee surgery and may miss the first few weeks of the season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 35-47, 9th in East
MVP: SF Scottie Barnes
X-Factor: SG R.J. Barrett
ADD: SG Ja’Kobe Walter
LOSS: SG Gary Trent Jr. (signed with Milwaukee)
Grade: C

The Raptors will now enter the first year of their true rebuild after trading away pieces throughout the season. Two key pieces of their 2019 Championship team in Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby were both traded for draft compensation and young players last year. R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Bruce Brown will be supplementary pieces to building around Scottie Barnes. Veteran big men Jakob Poeltl and Kelly Olynyk return after a solid season last year with the combination of stretching the floor and rim protection.

Three rookies were drafted and could see time off the bench right away. Jamal Shead was a star at Houston and could be a plug-and-play piece for the backcourt. Ja’Kobe Walter will fight with Gradey Dick for wing minutes off the bench. This leaves Ochai Agbaji, who was acquired from the Jazz last year, in a weird position to either fall completely out of rotation or get big minutes. There’s a mix of sets the team can run, but regardless it’ll be a tough year for Toronto. Best case scenario they can fight for a home court play-in spot as a 7 or 8 seed.

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Chicago Bulls

HC: Billy Donovan
5th year in Chicago (previous: Oklahoma City ’15-’20)
Career record: 399-319, Team record: 156-162, Career Playoff record: 19-27 – AGE: 59

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#9	Nikola Vucević	6’10 | 260 lbs USC | Age: 33	18 pts, 10.5 reb, 3.3 ast, 0.8 blk 48.4% FG, 29.4% 3P
PF	#44	Patrick Williams	6’7 | 215 lbs Florida State | Age: 23	10 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.9 stl 44.3% FG, 39.9% 3P
G/SF	#3	Josh Giddey	6’8 | 216 lbs Australia | Age: 21	12.3 pts, 6.4 reb, 4.8 ast, 0.7 stl 47.5% FG, 33.7% 3P – (OKC)
SG	#8	Zach LaVine	6’5 | 200 lbs UCLA | Age: 29	19.5 pts, 5.2 reb, 3.9 ast, 0.8 stl 45.2% FG, 34.9% 3P
PG	#0	Coby White	6’5 | 195 lbs North Carolina | Age: 24	19.1 pts, 5.1 ast, 4.5 reb, 0.7 stl 44.7% FG, 37.6% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#12	Ayo Dosunmu	6’5 | 200 lbs Illinois | Age: 24	12.2 pts, 3.2 ast, 2.8 reb, 0.9 stl 50.1% FG, 40.3% 3P
F	#14	Matas Buzelis (R)	6’10 | 209 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 11th overall by CHI
SF	#13	Torrey Craig	6’5 | 221 lbs SC-Upstate | Age: 33	5.7 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 43% FG, 39.2% 3P
PF/C	#7	Jalen Smith	6’9 | 215 lbs Maryland | Age: 24	9.9 pts, 5.5 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 blk 59.2% FG, 42.4% 3P – (IND)
PG	#2	Lonzo Ball*	6’6 | 190 lbs UCLA | Age: 26	DNP – Knee injuries
PG	#5	Jevon Carter	6’1 | 200 lbs West Virginia | Age: 29	5 pts, 1.3 ast, 0.8 reb, 0.5 stl 37.8% FG, 32.9% 3P
F	#25	Dalen Terry	6’7 | 195 lbs Arizona | Age: 22	3.1 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.5 stl 43.9% FG, 23% 3P
SG	#27	Chris Duarte	6’5 | 190 lbs Oregon | Age: 27	3.9 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.5 stl 38.1% FG, 34.6% 3P – (SAC)
SG/SF	#22	Talen Horton-Tucker	6’4 | 234 lbs Iowa State | Age: 23	10.1 pts, 3.5 ast, 2.4 reb, 0.9 stl 39.6% FG, 33% 3P – (UTA)
F	#15	Julian Phillips	6’8 | 198 lbs Tennessee | Age: 20	2.2 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.2 stl 41.6% FG, 31.6% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#21	Adama Sanogo	6’9 | 245 lbs UConn | Age: 22	9 GP, 4 pts, 4 reb, 0.1 stl 51.9%
SF	#32	E.J. Liddell	6’7 | 240 lbs Ohio State | Age: 23	8 GP, 0.5 pts, 0.6 reb, 0.3 blk 0.3 stl, 16.7% FG – (NOP)
G	#00	D.J. Steward (R)	6’2 | 162 lbs Duke | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2021

*Lonzo Ball continues to rehab knee injuries that have sidelined him for 2 years, he may start the season out

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 30-52, 10th in East
MVP: C Nikola Vucevic
X-Factor: PG Lonzo Ball
ADD: SF Josh Giddey
LOSS: SG DeMar DeRozan (signed with Sacramento)
Grade: C+

The Bulls enter the new season just about as desperate as anyone to regain some relevance around the franchise. Zach LaVine trades took a huge stall this offseason as he barely played more than 20 games, while DeMar DeRozan left via free agency for the Kings. They also traded away All-Defensive wing Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, a young point forward coming off of a down year in OKC. So the team looks to be headed in a new direction, with the hopes of LaVine returning to his all-star self fully healthy.

After missing the entirety of each of the last two seasons, Lonzo Ball looks ready to return in a contract year. It’s difficult to predict how healthy he can remain and if he’ll ever get back to his old self, but he will join a stacked PG depth with Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Jevon Carter. Matas Buzelis was taken with their 2024 lottery pick, a stretch 3 that showed a ton of athleticism and above the rim potential in his year in the G-League. The hope will be for him to join the starting frontcourt with Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic. The East is very wide open in the back half, and the Bulls can, and should, find themselves in the thick of the play-in race. If they fall out of contention again, big decisions will need to be made by the front office, starting with Head Coach Billy Donovan.

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Cleveland Cavaliers

HC: Kenny Atkinson
1st year in Cleveland (previous: Brooklyn ’16-’20)
Career record: 118-190, Career Playoff record: 1-4 – AGE: 57

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#31	Jarrett Allen	6’9 | 243 lbs Texas | Age: 26	16.5 pts, 10.5 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.1 blk 0.7 stl, 63.4% FG
PF/C	#4	Evan Mobley	6’11 | 215 lbs USC | Age: 23	15.7 pts, 9.4 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.4 blk 57.9% FG, 37.3% 3P
SG/SF	#1	Max Strus	6’5 | 215 lbs DePaul | Age: 28	12.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 4 ast, 0.9 stl 41.8% FG, 35.1% 3P
SG	#45	Donovan Mitchell	6’3 | 215 lbs Louisville | Age: 28	26.6 pts, 6.1 ast, 5.1 reb, 1.8 stl 46.2% FG, 36.8% 3P
PG	#10	Darius Garland	6’1 | 192 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 24	18 pts, 6.5 ast, 2.7 reb, 1.3 stl 44.6% FG, 37.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#3	Caris LeVert	6’6 | 205 lbs Michigan | Age: 30	14 pts, 5.1 ast, 4.1 reb, 1.1 stl 42.1% FG, 32.5% 3P
SF	#35	Isaac Okoro	6’5 | 225 lbs Auburn | Age: 23	9.4 pts, 3 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.8 stl 49% FG, 39.1% 3P
F	#20	Georges Niang	6’7 | 230 lbs Iowa State | Age: 31	9.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.4 stl 44.9% FG, 37.6% 3P
F	#32	Dean Wade	6’9 | 228 lbs Kansas State | Age: 27	5.4 pts, 4 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.7 stl 41.4% FG, 39.1% 3P
C	#13	Tristan Thompson	6’9 | 254 lbs Texas | Age: 33	3.3 pts, 3.6 reb, 1 ast, 0.3 blk 0.2 stl, 61.3% FG
SG/SF	#24	Jaylon Tyson (R)	6’6 | 215 lbs California | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 20th overall by CLE
SG	#5	Sam Merrill	6’4 | 205 lbs Utah State | Age: 28	8 pts, 2 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.3 stl 40.2% FG, 40.4% 3P
G	#2	Ty Jerome	6’5 | 195 lbs Virginia | Age: 27	2 GP, 2 pts, 1.5 ast, 0.5 reb 50% FG
G	#9	Craig Porter Jr.	6’1 | 180 lbs Wichita State | Age: 24	5.6 pts, 2.3 ast, 2.1 reb, 0.4 stl 50.9% FG, 35.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG/SF	#21	Emoni Bates	6’8 | 170 lbs Eastern Michigan | Age: 20	15 GP, 2.7 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.7 ast 30.6% FG, 30.3% 3P
PF	#15	J.T. Thor	6’9 | 203 lbs Auburn | Age: 22	3.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.4 blk 43.7% FG, 34.6% 3P – (CHA)
SG	#33	Luke Travers (R)	6’7 | 207 lbs Australia | Age: 23	DRAFTED in 2022 by CLE

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 45-37, 7th in East
MVP: SG Donovan Mitchell
X-Factor: PF Evan Mobley
ADD: SG Jaylon Tyson
LOSS: SF Marcus Morris Sr. (free agent)
Grade: B

After yet another playoff letdown, the Cavs, somewhat shockingly, decided to part ways with J.B. Bickerstaff. They replaced him with former Net Head Coach and Steve Kerr assistant Kenny Atkinson, who will look to get this talented core back to the top of the Eastern Conference. Donovan Mitchell was extended long-term, locking up their star and ending any doubt the franchise had on his ideas of staying put. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have become a twin tower dominance as the starting 4 and 5, and both had career years ’23-’24. Practically the entire roster looks the same as it did a year ago, and the front office is more-so playing the hand of what they think may be a better Head Coach.

The depth is what truly gives me hope for a resurgence from this group, with Caris LeVert and Georges Niang aiding the second unit. Isaac Okoro was re-signed to add defense to the second unit as well. Craig Porter Jr. was a breakout undrafted rookie last year that could see an increase in minutes off the bench, especially if the second unit struggles on the offensive end. This Cleveland team isn’t quite in the same category as Boston, Philly, New York, and Milwaukee, but they are at the top of the next tier. What is really going to be tough is which two teams will avoid the play-in outside of those top four. Cleveland and Miami are tough teams not to pick, but Indiana and Orlando should be making a run as well. There’s no letting up in this stacked conference.

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Detroit Pistons

HC: J.B. Bickerstaff
1st year in Detroit (previous: Memphis ’17-’19, Cleveland ’20-’24)
Career record: 255-290, Career Playoff record: 7-15 – AGE: 45

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#0	Jalen Duren	6’10 | 250 lbs Memphis | Age: 20	13.8 pts, 11.6 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.8 blk 0.5 stl, 61.9% FG
F	#12	Tobias Harris	6’9 | 235 lbs Tennessee | Age: 32	17.2 pts, 6.5 reb, 3.1 ast, 1 stl 48.7% FG, 35.3% 3P – (PHI)
SF	#9	Ausar Thompson	6’7 | 215 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 21	8.8 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.9 ast, 1.1 stl 0.9 blk, 48.3% FG
SG/SF	#8	Tim Hardaway Jr.	6’5 | 205 lbs Michigan | Age: 32	14.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.5 stl 40.2% FG, 35.3% 3P – (DAL)
PG	#2	Cade Cunningham	6’6 | 217 lbs Oklahoma State | Age: 23	22.7 pts, 7.5 ast, 4.3 reb, 0.9 stl 44.9% FG, 35.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF/C	#28	Isaiah Stewart	6’9 | 250 lbs Washington | Age: 23	10.9 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.8 blk 48.7% FG, 38.3% 3P
G	#23	Jaden Ivey	6’4 | 195 lbs Purdue | Age: 22	15.4 pts, 3.8 ast, 3.4 reb, 0.7 stl 42.9% FG, 33.6% 3P
F	#00	Ron Holland II (R)	6’7 | 197 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 5th overall by DET
F	#19	Simone Fontecchio	6’7 | 200 lbs Italy | Age: 28	10.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 46% FG, 40.1% 3P – (UTA/DET)
SG	#5	Malik Beasley	6’4 | 187 lbs Florida State | Age: 27	11.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.7 stl 44.3% FG, 41.3% 3P – (MIL)
PF/C	#7	Paul Reed	6’9 | 210 lbs DePaul | Age: 25	7.3 pts, 6 reb, 1.3 ast, 1 blk 54% FG, 36.8% 3P – (PHI)
F	#34	Bobi Klintman (R)	6’9 | 212 lbs Australia | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 37th overall by MIN
PG	#25	Marcus Sasser	6’2 | 195 lbs Houston | Age: 24	8.3 pts, 3.3 ast, 1.8 reb, 0.6 stl 42.8% FG, 37.5% 3P
SG	#14	Wendell Moore Jr.	6’5 | 214 lbs Duke | Age: 23	0.7 pts, 0.5 reb, 0.2 ast, 0.2 stl 50% FG – (MIN)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#13	Cole Swider	6’8 | 220 lbs Syracuse | Age: 25	18 GP, 2.3 pts, 0.4 reb, 0.3 ast 39.5% FG, 33.3% 3P – (MIA)
G	#31	Alondes Williams	6’4 | 210 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 25	7 GP, 0.7 pts, 0.1 reb, 0.1 blk 25% FG – (MIA)
PG	#24	Daniss Jenkins (R)	6’4 | 185 lbs St. John’s | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 26-56, 12th in East
MVP: PG Cade Cunningham
X-Factor: SF Ausar Thompson
ADD: SF Tobias Harris
LOSS: SF Quentin Grimes (traded to Dallas)
Grade: D+

The Pistons set NBA records all throughout ’23-’24 but not for any good reasons whatsoever. As if the longest losing streak in league history wasn’t bad enough, Detroit finished an abysmal 14-68 and still only wound up with the 5th overall pick in the lottery. To make matters even worse, after giving Monty Williams the largest Head Coach contract in league history before the season, Detroit parted ways with him and replaced him with veteran HC J.B. Bickerstaff. An absolutely head scratching move, where the only real justification for Williams’ firing would be to hire a younger and rebuilding coach that the team can grow with. Regardless, there aren’t too many bright spots heading into the new year, outside of Cade Cunningham being given the keys to the franchise, and further development of Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson.

A few veterans were added to try to get the franchise back to some sort of consistency, with Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley both signed. Tim Hardaway Jr. was also acquired in a trade that sent Quentin Grimes to Dallas. The team now has some legit shooting threats with Hardaway and Beasley joining Simone Fontecchio and Marcus Sasser as snipers from long range. The big men had a solid core of breakout sophomore Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, two gritty rebounding low post presences. The rest will need to be a trial by fire, as the team will look to find who will be part of their future. Development will be the goal for ’24-’25 in Detroit, with playoff basketball not something they’re thinking about quite yet.

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Indiana Pacers

HC: Rick Carlisle
4th year in Indiana (2nd stint) (previous: Detroit ’01-’03, Indiana ’03-’07, Dallas ’08-’21)
Career record: 943-828, Team record: 107-159, Career Playoff record: 71-79 – AGE: 65

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#33	Myles Turner	6’11 | 250 lbs Texas | Age: 28	17.1 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.9 blk, 1.3 ast 52.4% FG, 35.8% 3P
PF	#43	Pascal Siakam	6’8 | 245 lbs New Mexico State | Age: 30	21.7 pts, 7.1 reb, 4.3 ast, 0.8 stl 53.6% FG, 34.6% 3P – (TOR/IND)
SF	#23	Aaron Nesmith	6’6 | 215 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 24	12.2 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.9 stl 49.6% FG, 41.9% 3P
SG	#00	Bennedict Mathurin	6’5 | 210 lbs Arizona | Age: 22	14.5 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 0.6 stl 44.6% FG, 37.4% 3P
PG	#0	Tyrese Haliburton	6’5 | 185 lbs Iowa State | Age: 24	20.1 pts, 10.9 ast, 3.9 reb, 1.2 stl 47.7% FG, 36.4% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#2	Andrew Nembhard	6’4 | 191 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 24	9.2 pts, 4.1 ast, 2.1 reb, 0.9 stl 49.8% FG, 35.7% 3P
F	#1	Obi Toppin	6’9 | 220 lbs Dayton | Age: 26	10.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.6 stl 57.3% FG, 40.3% 3P
PG	#9	T.J. McConnell	6’1 | 190 lbs Arizona | Age: 32	10.2 pts, 5.5 ast, 2.7 reb, 1 stl 55.6% FG, 40.9% 3P
PF/C	#22	Isaiah Jackson	6’9 | 205 lbs Kentucky | Age: 22	6.4 pts, 4 reb, 1 blk, 0.8 ast 0.6 stl, 66.5% FG
G	#26	Ben Sheppard	6’6 | 190 lbs Belmont | Age: 23	4.4 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.6 stl 39.3% FG, 31.4% 3P
PF	#5	Jarace Walker	6’7 | 235 lbs Houston | Age: 21	3.6 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 40.9% FG, 40% 3P
F	#12	Johnny Furphy (R)	6’8 | 202 lbs Kansas | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 35th overall by SAS
C	#13	James Wiseman	6’11 | 240 lbs Memphis | Age: 23	7.1 pts, 5.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.6 blk 0.2 stl, 61.3% FG – (DET)
SG/SF	#10	Kendall Brown	6’7 | 205 lbs Baylor | Age: 21	15 GP, 1.4 pts, 0.3 reb, 0.3 ast 53.3% FG
PF	#16	James Johnson	6’7 | 240 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 37	9 GP, 0.9 pts, 0.9 ast, 0.4 reb 0.6 stl, 30% FG

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#29	Quenton Jackson	6’5 | 173 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 26	3 GP, 0.7 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.7 ast 0.3 stl
F	#8	Enrique Freeman (R)	6’7 | 212 lbs Akron | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 50th overall by IND
G	#4	Tristen Newton (R)	6’3 | 192 lbs UConn | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 49th overall by IND

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 49-33, 6th in East
MVP: PG Tyrese Haliburton
X-Factor: SG Bennedict Mathurin
ADD: SF Johnny Furphy
LOSS: PF Jalen Smith (signed with Chicago)
Grade: B

The Pacers shocked many a season ago by making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in a breakout season for this young core. Tyrese Haliburton has become one of the best young playmakers in the game, with a high IQ and knockdown shooting capability. Wings like Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin gave them depth all year long by shooting efficiently from three and playing lockdown defense. Myles Turner has been doing Myles Turner things once again, blocking shots while also becoming a threat from long range. By midseason, they also added Pascal Siakam to the mix, giving them a solid borderline 2nd/3rd option on offense.

The biggest question for ’24-’25 will be, how does this team matchup with the new look powerhouses of the East? They benefited big time from a decimated Knicks team that still took them to 7 games despite injuries to almost every key player. Now, the Knicks and 76ers have reloaded, while the Celtics will look to dominate once again. Indiana didn’t do enough, in my eyes, to get significantly better to compete with these teams. I think they have a very solid team, but somewhere in the 5-8 range is probably where they’ll end up come season’s end. They’ll be in the second tier, fighting to avoid the play-in with Cleveland, Orlando, and Miami.

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Milwaukee Bucks

HC: Doc Rivers
2nd year in Milwaukee (previous: Orlando ’99-’03, Boston ’04-’13, Clippers ’13-’20, Philadelphia ’20-’23)
Career record: 1,114-782, Team record: 17-19, Career Playoff record: 113-108 – AGE: 63

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#11	Brook Lopez	7’1 | 282 lbs Stanford | Age: 36	12.5 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.4 blk, 1.6 ast 48.5% FG, 36.6% 3P
PF	#34	Giannis Antetokounmpo	6’11 | 243 lbs Greece | Age: 29	30.4 pts, 11.5 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.2 stl 1.1 blk, 61.1% FG
SF	#22	Khris Middleton	6’7 | 222 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 33	15.1 pts, 5.3 ast, 4.7 reb, 0.9 stl 49.3% FG, 38.1% 3P
SG	#24	Pat Connaughton	6’5 | 209 lbs Notre Dame | Age: 31	5.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.5 stl 43.5% FG, 34.5% 3P
PG	#0	Damian Lillard	6’2 | 195 lbs Weber State | Age: 34	24.3 pts, 7 ast, 4.4 reb, 1 stl 42.4% FG, 35.4% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF/C	#9	Bobby Portis Jr.	6’10 | 250 lbs Arkansas | Age: 29	13.8 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.8 stl 50.8% FG, 40.7% 3P
SG	#5	Gary Trent Jr.	6’5 | 204 lbs Duke | Age: 25	13.7 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.1 stl 42.6% FG, 39.3% 3P – (TOR)
F	#12	Taurean Prince	6’6 | 218 lbs Baylor | Age: 30	8.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 44.2% FG, 39.6% 3P – (LAL)
SF	#3	MarJon Beauchamp	6’7 | 199 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 23	4.4 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.3 stl 48.8% FG, 40% 3P
G	#55	Delon Wright	6’5 | 185 lbs Utah | Age: 32	4.5 pts, 2.5 ast, 1.8 reb, 1.1 stl 39.4% FG, 36.8% 3P – (WSH/MIA)
G	#44	Andre Jackson Jr.	6’7 | 203 lbs UConn | Age: 22	2.2 pts, 2 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 50% FG, 37% 3P
F	#21	Tyler Smith (R)	6’9 | 223 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 33rd overall by MIL
SG	#20	A.J. Green	6’4 | 209 lbs Northern Iowa | Age: 25	4.5 pts, 1.1 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.2 stl 42.3% FG, 40.8% 3P
PF	#7	Chris Livingston	6’6 | 228 lbs Kentucky | Age: 20	1.2 pts, 1 reb, 0.2 ast, 0.1 stl 50% FG, 20% 3P
G	#77	A.J. Johnson (R)	6’5 | 174 lbs USA | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 23rd overall by MIL

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#13	Ryan Rollins	6’3 | 190 lbs Toledo | Age: 22	13 GP, 3.4 pts, 1.1 ast, 1 reb 0.8 stl, 51.9% FG – (GSW/MIL)
SG	#17	Stanley Umude	6’6 | 215 lbs Arkansas | Age: 25	5.3 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.3 stl 44% FG, 45.3% 3P – (DET)
C	#15	Liam Robbins (R)	7’0 | 250 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 25	UNDRAFTED in 2023

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 53-29, 3rd in East
MVP: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
X-Factor: PG Damian Lillard
ADD: SG Gary Trent Jr.
LOSS: SG Malik Beasley (signed with Detroit)
Grade: A-

The Bucks had a rather interesting season it what they had hoped would be dominance in the East with their new look roster. Future HOF Damian Lillard was acquired before the year to become Giannis’ running mate while long-time assistant Adrian Griffin was hired as Mike Budenholzer’s successor. Ultimately, Lillard had one of the shakiest years of his career, assuming the role as #2 option for the first time since his early days in Portland. Meanwhile, Griffin only last until halfway through the season, when he was replaced by long-time HC Doc Rivers. Now in their first full year with this unit, Rivers will bring back top assistant Darvin Ham to try to make a run at the East.

The aging core remains the same, with Middleton, Giannis, Lillard, Lopez, and Connaughton as the likely starting 5. The bench is a bit shaken up, with their star 6th man Bobby Portis still here, Milwaukee brought in gritty wing Taurean Prince and sharp-shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. This adds some much needed veteran presence to add to their young core that includes 2 rookies that are both only 19-years-old. I love the top 8 of their rotation, but the depth could wreak havoc if injuries start to plague their old core. I do expect a big bounce back season from Lillard, and this team has the makings to be explosive on offense if they’re hitting on all cylinders. Due to their track record and star power, they are strongly in the mix to win the East.

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Atlanta Hawks

HC: Quin Snyder
3rd year in Atlanta (previous: Utah ’14-’22)
Career record: 418-321, Team record: 46-57, Career Playoff record: 23-34 – AGE: 58

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#15	Clint Capela	6’10 | 240 lbs Switzerland | Age: 30	11.5 pts, 10.6 reb, 1.5 blk, 1.2 ast 0.6 stl, 57.1% FG
F	#10	Zaccharie Risacher (R)	6’9 | 215 lbs Spain | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 1st overall by ATL
F	#1	Jalen Johnson	6’9 | 220 lbs Duke | Age: 22	16 pts, 8.7 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.2 stl 51.1% FG, 35.5% 3P
SG	#13	Bogdan Bogdanović	6’6 | 220 lbs Serbia | Age: 32	16.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.2 stl 42.8% FG, 37.4% 3P
PG	#11	Trae Young	6’1 | 180 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 26	25.7 pts, 10.8 ast, 2.8 reb, 1.3 stl 43% FG, 37.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SF	#12	De’Andre Hunter	6’7 | 225 lbs Virginia | Age: 26	15.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 45.9% FG, 38.5% 3P
PF/C	#17	Onyeka Okongwu	6’9 | 245 lbs USC | Age: 23	10.2 pts, 6.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.1 blk 61.1% FG, 33.3% 3P
F	#22	Larry Nance Jr.	6’8 | 242 lbs Wyoming | Age: 31	5.7 pts, 5 reb, 1.9 ast, 1 stl 57.3% FG, 41.5% 3P – (NOP)
G	#5	Dyson Daniels	6’7 | 203 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 21	5.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.4 stl 44.7% FG, 31.1% 3P – (NOP)
G	#4	Kobe Bufkin	6’4 | 195 lbs Michigan | Age: 21	17 GP, 4.8 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.6 ast 0.4 stl, 37% FG
SG	#24	Garrison Mathews	6’5 | 202 lbs Lipscomb | Age: 27	4.9 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 stl 45.6% FG, 44% 3P
C	#41	Cody Zeller	6’11 | 247 lbs Indiana | Age: 32	1.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.2 stl 0.1 blk, 41.9% FG – (NOP)
F	#8	David Roddy	6’5 | 255 lbs Colorado State | Age: 23	6.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.4 stl 40.3% FG, 29.3% 3P – (MEM/PHX)
SF	#27	Vit Krejčí	6’8 | 195 lbs Czech | Age: 24	6.1 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.6 stl 49% FG, 41.2% 3P
PF/C	#18	Mouhamed Gueye	6’11 | 210 lbs Washington St. | Age: 21	6 GP, 4 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.8 stl 0.7 blk, 34.8% FG

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SF	#3	Seth Lundy	6’6 | 220 lbs Penn State | Age: 24	9 GP, 1.6 pts, 0.8 reb, 23.5% FG 23.1% 3P
PF	#0	Dominick Barlow	6’10 | 220 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 21	4.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.4 blk 49.6% FG, 33.3% 3P – (SAS)
PG	#2	Keaton Wallace (R)	6’3 | 185 lbs UTSA | Age: 25	UNDRAFTED in 2021

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 30-52, 11th in East
MVP: PG Trae Young
X-Factor: SF Zaccharie Risacher
ADD: SF Zaccharie Risacher
LOSS: PG Dejounte Murray (traded to New Orleans)
Grade: C+

The Hawks have given off so many different vibes over the past few years, whether they are rebuilding around Trae Young or competing for the future. The big move this offseason was trading star guard Dejounte Murray, who didn’t pair well with Young in the backcourt. They also landed the 1st overall pick for the first time in franchise history, and bring in French wing Zacchari Risacher, an explosive scoring threat that they hope can stretch the floor around Young’s elite perimeter shooting. Jalen Johnson also had a breakout year a season ago after stepping into John Collins’ shoes when he was traded to Utah.

The depth on the bench is definitely a plus for this team, with a few veterans acquired in the Murray trade in Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, and Cody Zeller. All three will likely play big minutes in Quin Snyder’s rotation. De’Andre Hunter will likely be relegated to the bench with Risacher’s emergence and should be the scoring anchor for the second unit. A couple of dark horse impactful players I like are Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci, two journeyman bench pieces that have played meaningful minutes in a few different spots. Krejci is a point forward while Mathews is a lights out shooter and former starter for Houston. I don’t have the Hawks finishing that well this year, but they are one time I think that can prove me wrong. They arguably are deeper than their last few teams. The key will be to find out if Young is really the centerpiece you can build a contender around. If he isn’t, a trade may soon be on the horizon.

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Charlotte Hornets

HC: Charles Lee
1st year – AGE: 40

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#5	Mark Williams	7’0 | 260 lbs Duke | Age: 22	19 GP, 12.7 pts, 9.7 reb, 1.2 ast 1.1 blk, 64.9% FG
F	#24	Brandon Miller	6’8 | 205 lbs Alabama | Age: 21	17.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.9 stl 44% FG, 37.3% 3P
SF	#0	Miles Bridges	6’6 | 235 lbs Michigan State | Age: 26	21 pts, 7.3 reb, 3.3 ast, 0.9 stl 46.2% FG, 34.9% 3P
SG	#8	Josh Green	6’5 | 200 lbs Arizona | Age: 23	8.2 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.8 stl 47.9% FG, 38.5% 3P – (DAL)
PG	#1	LaMelo Ball	6’7 | 190 lbs USA | Age: 23	23.9 pts, 8 ast, 5.1 reb, 1.8 stl 43.3% FG, 35.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#2	Grant Williams	6’6 | 235 lbs Tennessee | Age: 25	10.3 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.6 stl 45.6% FG, 37.5% 3P – (DAL/CHA)
G	#3	Tre Mann	6’4 | 190 lbs Florida | Age: 23	9.3 pts, 4 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.2 stl 45.9% FG, 37.3% 3P – (OKC/CHA)
G	#22	Vasilije Micić	6’5 | 205 lbs Serbia | Age: 30	7 pts, 4.4 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.5 stl 43% FG, 27.9% 3P – (OKC/CHA)
C	#4	Nick Richards	7’0 | 260 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	9.7 pts, 8 reb, 1.1 blk, 0.8 ast 0.4 stl, 69.1% FG
SF	#11	Cody Martin	6’6 | 205 lbs Nevada | Age: 29	7.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.7 ast, 1.1 stl 38.1% FG, 31.4% 3P
PF	#31	Tidjane Salaün (R)	6’9 | 205 lbs France | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 6th overall by CHA
SG	#30	Seth Curry	6’1 | 190 lbs Duke | Age: 34	5.1 pts, 1.5 reb, 1 ast, 0.5 stl 39.2% FG, 35.2% 3P – (DAL/CHA)
SG	#8	Nick Smith Jr.	6’3 | 185 lbs Arkansas | Age: 20	5.9 pts, 1.4 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.2 stl 39.1% FG, 43.2% 3P
PF/C	#67	Taj Gibson	6’9 | 232 lbs USC | Age: 39	20 GP, 1.7 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.6 ast 0.4 blk, 40.5% FG – (NYK/DET)
SG	#3	DaQuan Jeffries	6’5 | 222 lbs Tulsa | Age: 27	17 GP, 0.8 pts, 0.3 reb, 0.3 ast 35.3% FG, 20% 3P – (NYK)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#27	Jared Rhoden	6’5 | 210 lbs Seton Hall | Age: 25	17 GP, 4.9 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.8 ast 50% FG, 38.7% 3P – (DET)
PF	#14	Moussa Diabaté	6’9 | 210 lbs Michigan | Age: 22	11 GP, 2.6 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.5 stl 0.4 ast, 52.6% FG – (LAC)
PG	#25	K.J. Simpson (R)	6’2 | 190 lbs Colorado | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 42nd overall by CHA

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 21-61, 15th in East
MVP: PG LaMelo Ball
X-Factor: PG LaMelo Ball
ADD: SG Josh Green
LOSS: PF Davis Bertans (signed overseas)
Grade: D+

The Hornets have been, all and all, a disaster over the last several years, and will look ahead to the new year to gain some new ground for the future. After a year away from the team, Miles Bridges had a great ’23-’24 season and was extended, building the future around him, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller. Ball battled injuries all year last year, and will look to not only prove his worth as the franchise cornerstone, but also improve on the defensive end where he has been rather lazy throughout his career. The team will also look to build around new and young Head Coach Charles Lee, with Steve Clifford moving to the front office.

My biggest gripe with the Hornets is mainly around their lack of development and complimentary roster. The moves of bringing in veterans Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and Tre Mann confused me at least year’s deadline, although I know it was in exchange to free up some contracts and acquire 1st round picks. The roster overall just looks very random and difficult to maneuver around. Ball, Bridges, and Miller all lack a lot on the defensive end and despite still being young, it doesn’t bode well for their outlook in ’24-’25. This team is still a long way away, and a lot of improvement needed before we can look at them as even a play-in team.

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Miami Heat

HC: Erik Spoelstra
17th year
Career/Team record: 750-527, Career Playoff record: 110-79 – AGE: 54

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#13	Bam Adebayo	6’9 | 255 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	19.3 pts, 10.4 reb, 3.9 ast, 1.1 stl 0.9 blk, 52.1% FG
F	#5	Nikola Jović	6’10 | 205 lbs Serbia | Age: 21	7.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 2 ast, 0.5 stl 45.2% FG, 39.9% 3P
SF	#22	Jimmy Butler	6’7 | 230 lbs Marquette | Age: 35	20.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 5 ast, 1.3 stl 49.9% FG, 41.4% 3P
G	#2	Terry Rozier	6’1 | 190 lbs Louisville | Age: 30	19.8 pts, 5.6 ast, 4 reb, 1 stl 44.3% FG, 36.3% 3P – (CHA/MIA)
PG	#14	Tyler Herro	6’5 | 195 lbs Kentucky | Age: 24	20.8 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.5 ast, 0.7 stl 44.1% FG, 39.6% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG/SF	#11	Jaime Jaquez Jr.	6’6 | 225 lbs UCLA | Age: 23	11.9 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.6 ast, 1 stl 48.9% FG, 32.2% 3P
F	#55	Duncan Robinson	6’7 | 215 lbs Michigan | Age: 30	12.9 pts, 2.8 ast, 2.5 reb, 0.7 stl 45% FG, 39.5% 3P
PF	#42	Kevin Love	6’8 | 251 lbs UCLA | Age: 36	8.8 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.3 stl 44% FG, 34.4% 3P
SG	#0	Josh Richardson	6’5 | 200 lbs Tennessee | Age: 31	9.9 pts, 2.8 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.6 stl 44.4% FG, 34.7% 3P
G	#18	Alec Burks	6’5 | 214 lbs Colorado | Age: 33	10.4 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.4 stl 36.9% FG, 37.6% 3P – (DET/NYK)
F	#24	Haywood Highsmith	6’5 | 220 lbs Wheeling (D-II) | Age: 27	6.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.8 stl 46.5% FG, 39.6% 3P
C	#7	Kel’el Ware (R)	7’0 | 240 lbs Indiana | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 15th overall by MIA
SF	#9	Pelle Larsson (R)	6’6 | 215 lbs Arizona | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 44th overall by HOU
C	#31	Thomas Bryant	6’10 | 248 lbs Indiana | Age: 27	5.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.4 blk 0.3 stl, 57.7% FG

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#12	Dru Smith	6’2 | 203 lbs Missouri | Age: 26	9 GP, 4.3 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.6 ast 45.5% FG, 41.2% 3P
SG	#8	Josh Christopher	6’4 | 215 lbs Arizona State | Age: 22	DNP – Played in G-League
F	#16	Keshad Johnson (R)	6’6 | 225 lbs Arizona | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 43-39, 8th in East
MVP: C Bam Adebayo
X-Factor: PG Tyler Herro
ADD: SG Alec Burks
LOSS: SF Caleb Martin (signed with Philadelphia)
Grade: B-

After their second Championship loss in the Jimmy Butler era, Miami shook things up by shedding a few veterans a year ago. Jimmy Butler undoubtedly had a down year, resulting in a 46-36 record and a new first round sweep falling to the Celtics 4-1. Now, with the Sixers and Knicks looking even better, Miami didn’t do much to shake up their team and instead will look for bounce back years from Butler and continued improvement from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic had breakout seasons a year ago and will be relied upon as key pieces in the frontcourt, whether as a starter or headlining the second unit. I like Jovic’s versatility starting alongside Adebayo and Butler, with no real true PG in the starting 5. Nikola is a smooth ball handler and can see some time running the offense with Herro.

Despite no real changes in the headlining pieces, the additions of Alec Burks and Nassir Little are two very good moves that will give them some depth off the bench. Burks can handle the 1 and 2 while being a microwave scorer, while Little’s defensive capabilities compliment the offensive minded star players in the backcourt. Kel’el Ware was a very underrated draft pick at 15, a legitimate 7’0 center that will be a solid backup to Bam, being able to spread the floor from three while also being a very good rim protector. I like this Heat team a lot, and I think they may go further then last year, but the likelihood of them competing with the other star powers of the East will need to be seen. I’m not sure that they can match up well with Boston, Philly, or New York in a 7-game series.

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Orlando Magic

HC: Jamahl Mosley
4th year
Career/Team record: 103-143, Career Playoff record: 3-4 – AGE: 46

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#34	Wendell Carter Jr.	6’10 | 262 lbs Duke | Age: 25	11 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.6 stl 52.5% FG, 37.4% 3P
PF	#5	Paolo Banchero	6’10 | 250 lbs Duke | Age: 21	22.6 pts, 6.9 reb, 5.4 ast, 0.9 stl 45.5% FG, 33.9% 3P
F	#22	Franz Wagner	6’10 | 230 lbs Michigan | Age: 23	19.7 pts, 5.3 reb, 3.7 ast, 1.1 stl 48.2% FG, 28.1% 3P
SG	#3	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	6’5 | 204 lbs Georgia | Age: 31	10.1 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.3 stl 46% FG, 40.6% 3P – (DEN)
G	#4	Jalen Suggs	6’5 | 205 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 23	12.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.4 stl 47.1% FG, 39.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#50	Cole Anthony	6’3 | 195 lbs North Carolina | Age: 24	11.6 pts, 3.8 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.8 stl 43.5% FG, 33.8% 3P
SG	#14	Gary Harris	6’4 | 205 lbs Michigan State | Age: 30	6.9 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.9 stl 44.1% FG, 37.1% 3P
C	#21	Moritz Wagner	6’11 | 250 lbs Michigan | Age: 27	10.9 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 60.1% FG, 33% 3P
F	#1	Jonathan Isaac	6’10 | 240 lbs Florida State | Age: 27	6.8 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.2 blk, 0.7 stl 51% FG, 37.5% 3P
C	#35	Goga Bitadze	6’11 | 235 lbs Georgia (Cty) | Age: 25	5 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.2 blk 0.5 stl, 60.3% FG
PG	#0	Anthony Black	6’7 | 212 lbs Arkansas | Age: 20	4.6 pts, 2 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.5 stl 46.6% FG, 39.4% 3P
F	#23	Tristan da Silva (R)	6’8 | 217 lbs Colorado | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 18th overall by ORL
SG/SF	#13	Jett Howard	6’8 | 215 lbs Michigan | Age: 21	18 GP, 1.6 pts, 0.4 reb, 0.3 ast 33.3% FG, 28% 3P
SF	#2	Caleb Houstan	6’8 | 235 lbs Michigan | Age: 21	4.3 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.3 stl 38.8% FG, 37.3% 3P
PG	#10	Cory Joseph	6’3 | 200 lbs Texas | Age: 33	2.4 pts, 1.6 ast, 1.2 reb, 0.2 stl 35.9% FG, 31% 3P – (GSW)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#12	Trevelin Queen	6’6 | 190 lbs New Mexico State | Age: 27	14 GP, 2.9 pts, 1.4 reb, 1.3 ast 0.5 stl, 36.8% FG
SG	#8	Mac McClung	6’2 | 185 lbs Memphis | Age: 25	DNP – Played in G-League

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 50-32, 5th in East
MVP: PF Paolo Banchero
X-Factor: SF Franz Wagner
ADD: SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
LOSS: PG Markelle Fultz (free agent)
Grade: B+

The Magic flipped the script on a nearly decade long struggle of consistent finishes at the bottom of the East. They won the Southeast while finishing 47-35, and even took the Cavaliers to 7 games in the first round before ultimately losing. They had an all-star sophomore year from their new franchise cornerstone Paolo Banchero, and re-upped Franz Wagner on a long-term deal. A couple of veterans were also signed in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cory Joseph, two backcourt pieces that have experienced winning throughout their careers.

A couple of underrated performances that fueled this Orlando squad was Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter. Suggs’ defense has become elite, while getting name to his first All-Defensive team in his career and supporting the rest of the offense who are score-first players. Carter has done all the gritty work, and even became an effective threat from beyond the arc, giving them another big weapon on offense. My favorite part of the Magic is their size, with 6 guys on the roster at 6’10+ who can all shoot, put the ball on the floor, and play in the post. The Magic are a sneaky athletic team and I’m excited to see how they improve off last year’s run. They can be a sneaky team in the East.

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Washington Wizards

HC: Brian Keefe
2nd year
Career/Team record: 8-31 – AGE: 48

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#17	Jonas Valančiūnas	7’0 | 270 lbs Lithuania | Age: 32	12.2 pts, 8.8 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.8 blk 55.9% FG, 30.8% 3P – (NOP)
PF/C	#20	Alex Sarr (R)	7’0 | 224 lbs France | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 2nd overall by WSH
F	#33	Kyle Kuzma	6’10 | 220 lbs Utah | Age: 29	22.2 pts, 6.6 reb, 4.2 ast, 0.7 blk 46.3% FG, 33.6% 3P
G	#13	Jordan Poole	6’4 | 194 lbs Michigan | Age: 25	17.4 pts, 4.4 ast, 2.7 reb, 1.1 stl 41.3% FG, 32.6% 3P
PG	#15	Malcolm Brogdon*	6’5 | 228 lbs Virginia | Age: 31	15.7 pts, 5.5 ast, 3.8 reb, 0.7 stl 44% FG, 41.2% 3P – (POR)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG/SF	#24	Corey Kispert	6’7 | 220 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 25	13.4 pts, 2.8 reb, 2 ast, 0.5 stl 48.6% FG, 38.3% 3P
PF/C	#22	Richaun Holmes	6’10 | 240 lbs Bowling Green | Age: 30	5 pts, 4.6 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.5 blk 0.3 stl, 55.8% FG – (DAL/WSH)
G	#0	Bilal Coulibaly	6’8 | 195 lbs France | Age: 20	8.4 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.9 stl 43.5% FG, 34.6% 3P
G	#8	Bub Carrington (R)	6’4 | 195 lbs Pittsburgh | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 14th overall by POR
PF/C	#35	Marvin Bagley III	6’11 | 235 lbs Duke | Age: 25	11.7 pts, 6.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.7 blk 58.6% FG, 39.1% 3P – (DET/WSH)
PF	#16	Anthony Gill	6’8 | 230 lbs Virginia | Age: 31	3.8 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.3 stl 0.2 blk, 46.9% FG
SG	#1	Johnny Davis	6’5 | 195 lbs Wisconsin | Age: 22	3 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.4 stl 40.3% FG, 35% 3P
SF	#18	KyShawn George (R)	6’7 | 209 lbs Miami | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 24th overall by NYK
F	#7	Patrick Baldwin Jr.	6’9 | 220 lbs Milwaukee | Age: 21	4.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.5 stl 38.1% FG, 32% 3P
SF	#41	Saddiq Bey** (I)	6’8 | 215 lbs Villanova | Age: 25	13.7 pts, 6.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.8 stl 41.6% FG, 31.6% 3P – (ATL)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SF	#9	Justin Champagnie	6’6 | 206 lbs Pittsburgh | Age: 23	15 GP, 5.9 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.3 ast 0.7 stl, 41% FG
C	#00	Tristan Vukčević	7’0 | 225 lbs Serbia | Age: 21	10 GP, 8.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast 0.7 blk, 43.3% FG
SG	#4	Jared Butler	6’3 | 193 lbs Baylor | Age: 24	6.3 pts, 3.2 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.7 stl 48.8% FG, 30.8% 3P

*Malcolm Brogdon had thumb surgery and may miss the start of the season
**Saddiq Bey continues to rehab a torn ACL and may return in February

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 24-58, 13th in East
MVP: SF Kyle Kuzma
X-Factor: C Alex Sarr
ADD: C Alex Sarr
LOSS: SF Deni Avdija (traded to Portland)
Grade: D+

The Wizards’ recent struggles persistent last year in the first year of the post-Bradley Beal era. Kyle Kuzma was extended to become the leader of the team, and he did just that as the only Wizard to average over 20 ppg for the season. This offseason the shook some things up, including trading developing wing Deni Avdija to Portland for a veteran in Malcolm Brogdon. Alex Sarr was drafted with the 2nd overall pick, giving them plenty of length in the starting frontcourt. Jonas Valanciunas and Saddiq Bey were also signed to multi-year deals to give the team some more veteran leadership.

Bey will likely miss the entire season, and is more so a chip for the future right now. Jordan Poole struggled mightily in an increased role on offense after looking like a budding offensive star in Golden State. His workload should be lighter with Kuzma, a low post presence of Valanciunas, and the versatile athleticism of Sarr. Plus, Corey Kispert has become one of the league’s best shooters and he will headline the bench with lengthy second year two-way guard Bilal Coulibaly. Washington is definitely beginning to become further ahead than their fellow bottom dwellers in Charlotte and Detroit. They still aren’t a playoff team, but things could be getting closer.

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Denver Nuggets

HC: Michael Malone
10th year in Denver (previous: Sacramento ’13-’14)
Career record: 463-362, Team record: 494-295, Career Playoff record: 44-36 – AGE: 53

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#15	Nikola Jokić	7’0 | 284 lbs Serbia | Age: 29	26.4 pts, 12.4 reb, 9 ast, 1.4 stl 58.3% FG, 35.9% 3P
PF	#32	Aaron Gordon	6’8 | 235 lbs Arizona | Age: 29	13.9 pts, 6.5 reb, 3.5 ast, 0.8 stl 55.6% FG, 29% 3P
F	#1	Michael Porter Jr.	6’10 | 218 lbs Missouri | Age: 26	16.7 pts, 7 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 blk 48.4% FG, 39.7% 3P
SG	#0	Christian Braun	6’6 | 210 lbs Kansas | Age: 23	7.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.5 stl 46% FG, 38.4% 3P
PG	#27	Jamal Murray	6’4 | 215 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	21.2 pts, 6.5 ast, 4.1 reb, 1 stl 48.1% FG, 42.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#8	Peyton Watson	6’8 | 200 lbs UCLA | Age: 22	6.7 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.1 blk 46.5% FG, 29.6% 3P
PG	#4	Russell Westbrook	6’4 | 200 lbs UCLA | Age: 35	11.1 pts, 5 reb, 4.5 ast, 1.1 stl 45.4% FG, 27.3% 3P – (LAC)
PF/C	#22	Zeke Nnaji	6’11 | 240 lbs Arizona | Age: 23	3.2 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.7 blk, 0.6 ast 0.3 stl, 46.3% FG
F	#9	Dario Šarić	6’10 | 225 lbs Croatia | Age: 30	8 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.5 stl 46.6% FG, 37.6% 3P – (GSW)
SG/SF	#3	Julian Strawther	6’7 | 205 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 22	4.5 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 36.9% FG, 29.7% 3P
G	#24	Jalen Pickett	6’4 | 202 lbs Penn State | Age: 24	1.6 pts, 0.8 ast, 0.5 reb, 0.1 stl 42.9% FG, 36% 3P
SF	#31	Vlatko Čančar	6’8 | 236 lbs Slovenia | Age: 27	DNP – Torn ACL
F	#5	Hunter Tyson	6’8 | 215 lbs Clemson | Age: 24	18 GP, 1.1 pts, 0.5 reb, 0.1 ast 40% FG, 28.6% 3P
C	#6	DeAndre Jordan	6’11 | 265 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 36	3.9 pts, 4.4 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.4 blk 0.2 stl, 62.4% FG
PF/C	#14	DaRon Holmes II* (I)	6’9 | 236 lbs Dayton | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 22nd overall by PHX

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#23	Trey Alexander (R)	6’3 | 187 lbs Creighton | Age: 21	UNDRAFTED in 2024
PF/C	#25	P.J. Hall (R)	6’8 | 240 lbs Clemson | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2024
F	#21	Spencer Jones (R)	6’7 | 225 lbs Stanford | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

*DaRon Holmes suffered a torn achilles and will miss the entire season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 55-27, 2nd in West
MVP: C Nikola Jokic
X-Factor: PG Russell Westbrook
ADD: PG Russell Westbrook
LOSS: SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (signed with Orlando)
Grade: A-

The reigning NBA Champs returned practically the same roster in ’23-’24 but couldn’t quite get over the edge like they did a year before. Nikola Jokic did win his third MVP after a stellar season, but injuries and some inconsistencies plagued them. Now, Jamal Murray should be fully healthy, and the core of Murray, Porter, Gordon, and Jokic are ready to dominate. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson were their two big losses, after both signing deals in Orlando and Philaldelphia respectively. This should catapult Christian Braun into the starting SG spot, with Russell Westbrook taking over as the backup PG.

The bench core also added Dario Saric and extended big man Zeke Nnaji, who should see a bigger role this year with rookie DaRon Holmes out for the season. I like Denver’s squad a lot, and similar to what I have been saying since their 2023 Championship, they are going to be a problem in the West for years to come. The core are all locked up on long-term deals, and they have all bought in to Mike Malone’s plan. It would also be nice to see Westbrook resurge with a non-big market team and regain the respect that people have lost for the future Hall-of-Famer.

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Minnesota Timberwolves

HC: Chris Finch
5th year
Career/Team record: 160-127, Career Playoff record: 12-15 – AGE: 55

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#27	Rudy Gobert	7’1 | 257 lbs France | Age: 32	14 pts, 9.2 reb, 2.1 blk, 1.3 ast 0.7 stl, 66.1% FG
PF	#30	Julius Randle	6’9 | 253 lbs Kentucky | Age: 29	24 pts, 9.2 reb, 5 ast, 0.5 stl 47.2% FG, 31.1% 3P – (NYK)
SG/SF	#5	Anthony Edwards	6’4 | 225 lbs Georgia | Age: 23	25.9 pts, 5.4 reb, 5.1 ast, 1.3 stl 46.1% FG, 35.7% 3P
SG	#0	Donte DiVincenzo	6’5 | 205 lbs Villanova | Age: 27	15.5 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.3 stl 44.3% FG, 40.1% 3P – (NYK)
PG	#10	Mike Conley Jr.	6’1 | 178 lbs Ohio State | Age: 37	11.4 pts, 5.9 ast, 2.9 reb, 1.2 stl 45.7% FG, 44.2% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#11	Naz Reid	6’9 | 240 lbs LSU | Age: 25	13.5 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.9 blk 47.7% FG, 41.4% 3P
F	#3	Jaden McDaniels	6’9 | 201 lbs Washington | Age: 24	10.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.9 stl 48.9% FG, 33.7% 3P
SG	#9	Nickeil Alexander-Walker	6’5 | 193 lbs Virginia Tech | Age: 26	8 pts, 2.5 ast, 2 reb, 0.8 stl 43.9% FG, 39.1% 3P
PG	#4	Rob Dillingham (R)	6’1 | 165 lbs Kentucky | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 8th overall by SAS
SF	#7	Joe Ingles	6’9 | 235 lbs Australia | Age: 37	4.4 pts, 3 ast, 2.1 reb, 0.6 stl 43.6% FG, 43.5% 3P – (ORL)
SG/SF	#00	Terrence Shannon Jr. (R)	6’4 | 222 lbs Illinois | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 27th overall by MIN
F	#8	Josh Minott	6’8 | 212 lbs Memphis | Age: 21	1.6 pts, 0.5 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.2 blk 47.2% FG, 40% 3P
C	#55	Luka Garza	6’10 | 233 lbs Iowa | Age: 25	4 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.2 ast, 0.2 stl 48% FG, 28.1% 3P
F	#33	Leonard Miller	6’10 | 214 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 20	17 GP, 1.7 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.5 ast 0.1 stl, 65% FG
SG	#35	P.J. Dozier	6’6 | 205 lbs South Carolina | Age: 27	DNP – Played for Partizan (KSL)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#1	Daishen Nix	6’3 | 231 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 22	15 GP, 1.8 pts, 0.4 ast, 0.3 stl 37.5% FG, 35.3% 3P
SG	#22	Jaylen Clark (R)	6’4 | 203 lbs UCLA | Age: 22	DNP – Torn achilles
C	#14	Jesse Edwards (R)	7’0 | 233 lbs West Virginia | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2024

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 57-25, 1st in West
MVP: SF Anthony Edwards
X-Factor: PF Julius Randle
ADD: PF Julius Randle
LOSS: PF Karl-Anthony Towns (traded to New York)
Grade: B+

The Timberwolves have made sparks this offseason as it seemed they turned the franchise around, before making a move that some think is a lateral. Minnesota had an amazing season, finishing 56-26 while losing in the Conference Finals to the Mavericks. Anthony Edwards has become an unparalleled top 10 star in the league, while their supporting cast of veterans gave a lot of hope for the future. The shocking move came when they decided to trade long-time franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. This is a move that makes sense but may hurt their chances of competing right away this season. On one end, the keys of the franchise are now turned to Anthony Edwards, while the franchise frees up KAT’s huge contract, adds two veteran contending pieces in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, and lead way for a frontcourt of Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert in the future. On the other hand, they lose a future Hall-of-Famer who provided a lethal scoring threat alongside Edwards.

I do still like Minnesota a lot, and believe they will finish similarly to how they did last year. Randle is a very good iso scorer, and despite being a bit of a downgrade from KAT, he is still an all-star level big man. DiVincenzo gives the backcourt a much needed boost in shooting and on-ball defense alongside the aging Mike Conley. The bench also looks deep, led by McDaniels and Alexander-Walker, with two 1st round guards in Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. The West is so wide open, with not one team looked at as the clear cut favorite. Minnesota’s shot at reaching the Finals for the first time in franchise history is still extremely realistic.

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Oklahoma City Thunder

HC: Mark Daigneault
5th year
Career/Team record: 143-175, Career Playoff record: 6-4 – AGE: 39

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#55	Isaiah Hartenstein*	7’0 | 255 lbs USA | Age: 26	7.8 pts, 8.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.2 stl 1.1 blk, 64.4% FG – (NYK)
PF/C	#7	Chet Holmgren	7’1 | 213 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 22	16.5 pts, 7.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.3 blk 53% FG, 37% 3P
SF	#8	Jalen Williams	6’6 | 220 lbs Santa Clara | Age: 23	19.1 pts, 4.5 ast, 4 reb, 1.1 stl 54% FG, 42.7% 3P
SG	#9	Alex Caruso	6’5 | 186 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 30	10.1 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.7 stl 46.8% FG, 40.8% 3P – (CHI)
PG	#2	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	6’6 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	30.1 pts, 6.2 ast, 5.5 reb, 2 stl 53.5% FG, 35.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#5	Luguentz Dort	6’4 | 220 lbs Arizona State | Age: 25	10.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.9 stl 43.8% FG, 39.4% 3P
SG/SF	#21	Aaron Wiggins	6’6 | 200 lbs Maryland | Age: 25	6.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.7 stl 56.2% FG, 49.2% 3P
PG	#22	Cason Wallace	6’4 | 205 lbs Kentucky | Age: 20	6.8 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.9 stl 49.1% FG, 41.9% 3P
SG	#11	Isaiah Joe	6’3 | 181 lbs Arkansas | Age: 25	8.2 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl 45.8% FG, 41.6% 3P
PF/C	#6	Jaylin Williams**	6’10 | 250 lbs Arkansas | Age: 22	4 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.4 blk 41.7% FG, 36.8% 3P
SF	#34	Kenrich Williams***	6’7 | 210 lbs TCU | Age: 29	4.7 pts, 3 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl 46.8% FG, 39.7% 3P
SF	#3	Dillon Jones (R)	6’5 | 240 lbs Weber State | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 26th overall by WSH
F	#13	Ousmane Dieng	6’10 | 222 lbs France | Age: 21	4 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.2 stl 42.2% FG, 30% 3P
PG	#44	Nikola Topić**** (R) (I)	6’6 | 201 lbs Serbia | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 12th overall by OKC

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#14	Adam Flagler	6’3 | 195 lbs Baylor | Age: 24	2 GP, 1.5 pts, 2 ast, 14.3% FG 16.7% 3P
PG	#25	Ajay Mitchell (R)	6’3 | 190 lbs UC-Santa Barbara | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 38th overall by NYK
SG	#88	Alex Ducas (R)	6’7 | 220 lbs St. Mary’s | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

*Isaiah Hartenstein has a fractured hand and will miss at least a month
**Jaylin Williams has a hamstring strain and may miss the start of the season
***Kenrich Williams had knee surgery and may miss the start of the season
****Nikola Topic has a torn ACL and will miss the entire season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 44-38, 7th in West
MVP: PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
X-Factor: SG Alex Caruso
ADD: SG Alex Caruso
LOSS: SG Josh Giddey (traded to Chicago)
Grade: B

The Thunder emerged a year ago as one of the up-and-coming star powered teams in the league. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren broke out, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got MVP recognition for his incredible all-star season. Now headed into the new year, the team is relatively the same and will look to land in 1st again in the West. The one big move they made was signing former Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein to a massive contract. Hartenstein had an incredible playoff run with New York, and will provide a fierce low post presence alongside Holmgren who can stretch the floor from three. Josh Giddey was also traded in exchange for All-Defensive wing Alex Caruso, giving them two of the best defensive guards in the league with him and Lu Dort.

The true outcome of Oklahoma City’s season, in my eyes, is going to be the production they get out of their bench unit. Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe all had great years in the second unit and will be relied upon heavily as they key bench players. Their bench can shoot, that’s for sure, with all three of them shooting no less than 41% from behind the arc last year. Their top pick Nikola Topic will be stashed away after tearing his ACL late in the season overseas before being drafted. I like the Thunder a lot but I think it will be hard for them to repeat the regular season they had last year. They’ll still be a top 4 team in the West, but they will probably get elbowed out by some of the other improved squads.

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Portland Trail Blazers

HC: Chauncey Billups
4th year
Career/Team record: 81-165 – AGE: 48

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#2	Deandre Ayton	6’11 | 250 lbs Arizona | Age: 26	16.7 pts, 11.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 stl 0.8 blk, 57% FG
F	#8	Deni Avdija	6’9 | 240 lbs Israel | Age: 23	14.7 pts, 7.2 reb, 3.8 ast, 0.8 stl 50.6% FG, 37.4% 3P – (WSH)
F	#9	Jerami Grant	6’8 | 210 lbs Syracuse | Age: 30	21 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.8 stl 45.1% FG, 40.2% 3P
SG	#1	Anfernee Simons	6’3 | 195 lbs IMG Academy | Age: 25	22.6 pts, 5.5 ast, 3.6 reb, 0.5 stl 43% FG, 38.5% 3P
PG	#00	Scoot Henderson	6’3 | 196 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 20	14 pts, 5.4 ast, 3.1 reb, 0.8 stl 38.5% FG, 32.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG/SF	#17	Shaedon Sharpe*	6’6 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 21	15.9 pts, 5 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.9 stl 40.6% FG, 33.3% 3P
F	#24	Kris Murray	6’8 | 215 lbs Iowa | Age: 24	6.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.9 stl 39.6% FG, 26.8% 3P
C	#23	Donovan Clingan (R)	7’2 | 280 lbs UConn | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 7th overall by POR
PF/C	#35	Robert Williams III**	6’9 | 237 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 26	6 GP, 6.8 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.2 blk 1.2 stl, 65.4% FG
SG/SF	#4	Matisse Thybulle	6’5 | 201 lbs Washington | Age: 27	5.4 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.7 stl, 1.4 ast 39.7% FG, 34.6% 3P
PF	#34	Jabari Walker	6’9 | 215 lbs Colorado | Age: 22	8.9 pts, 7.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 stl 46% FG, 29.5% 3P
G	#5	Dalano Banton	6’9 | 204 lbs Nebraska | Age: 24	10.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.6 stl 40.4% FG, 29.6% 3P – (BOS/POR)
SF	#33	Toumani Camara	6’8 | 220 lbs Dayton | Age: 24	7.5 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.9 stl 45% FG, 33.7% 3P
C	#26	Duop Reath	6’11 | 245 lbs LSU | Age: 28	9.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 blk 46.1% FG, 35.9% 3P
PG	#21	Rayan Rupert	6’7 | 195 lbs France | Age: 20	4 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.3 stl 33.5% FG, 35.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#11	Bryce McGowens	6’5 | 190 lbs Nebraska | Age: 21	5.1 pts, 1.7 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.4 stl 43.9% FG, 33.3% 3P – (CHA)
F	#10	Justin Minaya	6’7 | 210 lbs Providence | Age: 25	1.8 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.3 stl 29.7% FG, 24.5% 3P
G	#76	Tazé Moore	6’5 | 195 lbs Houston | Age: 26	4 GP, 4.5 pts, 2 reb, 1.3 ast 0.5 stl, 42.1% FG

*Shaedon Sharpe has a shoulder tear and will miss the first month
**Robert Williams III has a hamstring injury and may miss a few weeks

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 31-51, 14th in West
MVP: SG Anfernee Simons
X-Factor: C Deandre Ayton
ADD: SF Deni Avdija
LOSS: PG Malcolm Brogdon (traded to Washington)
Grade: C-

The Blazers enter a new year of fresh beginnings as they look to attack year 2 of their rebuild. The team will look relatively the same, with Anfernee Simons surviving the trade buzz and Jerami Grant re-emerging as their veteran and leading scorer. Deni Avdija was their biggest pickup of the offseason, after trading veteran PG Malcolm Brogdon to the Wizards. This could end up being a huge move for Portland, as Avdija gives them a floor general point forward who is coming off of a career year in Washington.

Robert Williams’ health will be a big boost if he can stay on the floor this year, giving them a very solid backup to Deandre Ayton. Donovan Clingan was also drafted with their lottery pick, another defensive minded big man that can give them a 3-headed monster in the low post. If all goes well, Portland should be in the mix for a play-in spot this year. I like their development a bunch, and the veteran additions should be solid to keep them in contention.

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Utah Jazz

HC: Will Hardy
3rd year
Career/Team record: 68-96 – AGE: 36

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#24	Walker Kessler	7’1 | 245 lbs Auburn | Age: 23	8.1 pts, 7.5 reb, 2.4 blk, 0.9 ast 0.5 stl, 65.4% FG
PF	#20	John Collins	6’9 | 234 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 27	15.1 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.9 blk 53.2% FG, 37.1% 3P
F	#23	Lauri Markkanen	7’0 | 238 lbs Arizona | Age: 27	23.2 pts, 8.2 reb, 2 ast, 0.9 stl 48% FG, 39.9% 3P
SG	#3	Keyonte George	6’4 | 185 lbs Baylor | Age: 20	13 pts, 4.4 ast, 2.8 reb, 0.5 stl 39.1% FG, 33.4% 3P
G	#2	Collin Sexton	6’1 | 192 lbs Alabama | Age: 25	18.7 pts, 4.9 ast, 2.6 reb, 0.8 stl 48.7% FG, 39.4% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#00	Jordan Clarkson	6’5 | 194 lbs Missouri | Age: 32	17.1 pts, 5 ast, 3.4 reb, 0.6 stl 41.3% FG, 29.5% 3P
SF	#28	Brice Sensabaugh	6’6 | 235 lbs Ohio State | Age: 20	7.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.4 stl 39% FG, 29.6% 3P
F	#0	Taylor Hendricks	6’9 | 210 lbs UCF | Age: 20	7.3 pts, 4.6 reb, 0.8 blk, 0.8 ast 45% FG, 37.9% 3P
F	#5	Cody Williams (R)	6’8 | 190 lbs Colorado | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 10th overall by UTA
PF/C	#15	Drew Eubanks	6’9 | 245 lbs Oregon State | Age: 27	5.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.8 blk 0.4 stl, 60.1% FG – (PHX)
PG	#8	Patty Mills	6’2 | 180 lbs St. Mary’s | Age: 36	4 pts, 1.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 35.1% FG, 27.6% 3P – (ATL/MIA)
C	#22	Kyle Filipowski (R)	6’11 | 248 lbs Duke | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 32nd overall by UTA
SG/SF	#33	Johnny Juzang	6’7 | 215 lbs UCLA | Age: 23	20 GP, 7.2 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.2 ast 46.4% FG, 41.6% 3P
PG	#13	Isaiah Collier* (R)	6’5 | 210 lbs USC | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 29th overall by UTA
SG	#19	Svi Mykhailiuk	6’7 | 205 lbs Kansas | Age: 27	4 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 41.6% FG, 38.9% 3P – (BOS)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#10	Jason Preston	6’4 | 187 lbs Ohio | Age: 25	7 GP, 1.7 pts, 2.4 reb, 2.3 ast 0.3 stl, 31.6% FG
C	#25	Micah Potter	6’10 | 248 lbs Wisconsin | Age: 26	16 GP, 3.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 0.4 blk 47.5% FG, 42.9% 3P
C	#44	Oscar Tshiebwe	6’9 | 260 lbs Kentucky | Age: 24	8 GP, 3.3 pts, 2 reb, 0.3 ast 0.3 stl, 50% FG – (IND)

*Isaiah Collier has a hamstring injury and may miss the start of the season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 38-44, 11th in West
MVP: SF Lauri Markkanen
X-Factor: SG Keyonte George
ADD: SF Cody Williams
LOSS: SG Talen Horton-Tucker (signed with Chicago)
Grade: C+

The Jazz shocked everyone two years ago but came back down to Earth last year, showing that their rebuilding status is still in the works. Lauri Markkanen has been their star and has developed into one of the league’s best big men, and they rewarded him with a massive contract extension locking him up in Utah for the foreseeable future. Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, and Taylor Hendricks all played big minutes last season as rookies, and look to be very solid depth pieces, or trade tokens for the future. Walker Kessler should now become the undisputed starting center after proving himself as one of the league’s best shot blockers last year.

The veteran leadership is still there as well with Jordan Clarkson returning as their main bench scorer. Patty Mills was also signed to give some sharp shooting off the bench, and could be moved at the deadline if they fall out of contention. Another good rookie class is anticipated as well, headlined by lengthy wing Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, and a floor general that fell off of several team’s radars in Isaiah Collier. The Jazz have a good shot at capitalizing on the wide open Western Conference this year, and may actually make it out of the play-in tournament. I don’t like them as a West winner, but they should be taken in the same class as the Warriors, Clippers, or the Rockets.

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Golden State Warriors

HC: Steve Kerr
11th year
Career/Team record: 519-274, Career Playoff record: 99-41 – AGE: 59

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF	#23	Draymond Green	6’6 | 235 lbs Michigan State | Age: 34	8.6 pts, 7.2 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl 49.7% FG, 39.5% 3P
PF	#00	Jonathan Kuminga	6’7 | 225 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 22	16.1 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.2 ast, 0.7 stl 52.9% FG, 32.1% 3P
SF	#22	Andrew Wiggins	6’7 | 209 lbs Kansas | Age: 29	13.2 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.6 stl 45.3% FG, 35.8% 3P
SG	#7	Buddy Hield	6’4 | 220 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 31	12.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.8 stl 43.6% FG, 38.6% 3P – (IND/PHI)
PG	#30	Stephen Curry	6’3 | 200 lbs Davidson | Age: 36	26.4 pts, 5.1 ast, 4.5 reb, 0.7 stl 45% FG, 40.8% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#2	Brandon Podziemski	6’4 | 203 lbs Santa Clara | Age: 21	9.2 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.7 ast, 0.8 stl 45.4% FG, 38.5% 3P
PF	#32	Trayce Jackson-Davis	6’8 | 245 lbs Indiana | Age: 24	7.9 pts, 5 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.1 blk 0.4 stl, 70.2% FG
F	#1	Kyle Anderson	6’9 | 245 lbs UCLA | Age: 31	6.4 pts, 4.2 ast, 3.5 reb, 0.9 stl 0.6 blk, 46% FG – (MEM)
PF/C	#5	Kevon Looney	6’9 | 257 lbs UCLA | Age: 28	4.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.4 blk 0.4 stl, 59.7% FG
SG	#4	Moses Moody	6’5 | 215 lbs Arkansas | Age: 22	8.1 pts, 3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.6 stl 46.2% FG, 36% 3P
G	#8	De’Anthony Melton	6’3 | 200 lbs USC | Age: 26	11.1 pts, 3.7 reb, 3 ast, 1.6 stl 38.6% FG, 36% 3P – (PHI)
G	#0	Gary Payton II	6’3 | 195 lbs Oregon State | Age: 31	5.5 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.9 stl 56.3% FG, 36.4% 3P
SF	#15	Gui Santos	6’7 | 218 lbs Brazil | Age: 22	3.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 stl 50.9% FG, 37% 3P
SF	#43	Lindy Waters III	6’6 | 198 lbs Oklahoma State | Age: 27	3.6 pts, 1.1 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 blk 47.1% FG, 43.5% 3P – (OKC)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#61	Pat Spencer	6’3 | 205 lbs Northwestern | Age: 28	6 GP, 0.7 pts, 0.8 ast, 0.7 reb 50% FG
C	#21	Quinten Post (R)	7’0 | 244 lbs Boston College | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 52nd overall by GSW
PG	#3	Reece Beekman (R)	6’1 | 196 lbs Virginia | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 31-51, 13th in West
MVP: PG Stephen Curry
X-Factor: SG Brandin Podziemski
ADD: SG Buddy Hield
LOSS: SG Klay Thompson (signed with Dallas)
Grade: C

By far the biggest offseason news in Warrior land was the departure of long-time star and 1/2 of the Splash Bros, Klay Thompson. Klay signed with Dallas in a move that many saw coming after a down year and the emergence of several younger backcourt pieces. This marks the end of Klay’s 11-year career in The Bay, averaging 19.6 ppg for his career, making 5 all-star teams, 2 All-NBA selections, and winning 4 championships as the running mate to Steph Curry. This, in and of itself, deserves a ton of recognition and praise. Now Golden State will look on to their young core to rally around Steph and Draymond.

Brandin Podziemski had a stellar rookie year and will be one of the key pieces off the bench, while former lottery picks Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga will have increased roles. Kuminga should see himself starting alongside Wiggins and Green in the frontcourt, while Moody signed a rookie extension to be a shooter off the bench. Trayce Jackson-Davis also shined in his rookie year as a ground and pound low-post presence, perfect for the second unit. Overall, I don’t think this core is going to be enough to lead them to a play-in spot, let alone be a .500 team. I see them missing it altogether, and questions for the future will need to arise for Kerr and company.

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Los Angeles Clippers

HC: Tyronn Lue
5th year in Los Angeles (previous: Cleveland ’16-’18)
Career record: 312-217, Team record: 184-134, Career Playoff record: 54-37 – AGE: 47

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#40	Ivica Zubac	7’0 | 240 lbs Croatia | Age: 27	11.7 pts, 9.2 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.2 blk 0.3 stl, 64.9% FG
F	#33	Nicolas Batum	6’8 | 230 lbs France | Age: 35	5.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.8 stl 45.3% FG, 39.5% 3P – (LAC/PHI)
F	#55	Derrick Jones Jr.	6’6 | 210 lbs UNLV | Age: 27	8.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 1 ast, 0.7 stl 48.3% FG, 34.3% 3P – (DAL)
SG	#14	Terance Mann	6’5 | 215 lbs Florida State | Age: 28	8.8 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.6 stl 51.5% FG, 34.8% 3P
G	#1	James Harden	6’5 | 220 lbs Arizona State | Age: 35	16.6 pts, 8.5 ast, 5.1 reb, 1.1 stl 42.8% FG, 38.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#24	Norman Powell	6’4 | 215 lbs UCLA | Age: 31	13.9 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 48.6% FG, 43.5% 3P
G	#77	Kevin Porter Jr.	6’4 | 203 lbs USC | Age: 24	DNP – Suspended – (HOU)
PG	#8	Kris Dunn	6’3 | 205 lbs Providence | Age: 30	5.4 pts, 3.8 ast, 2.9 reb, 1 stl 47% FG, 36.9% 3P – (UTA)
F	#17	P.J. Tucker	6’5 | 245 lbs Texas | Age: 39	1.7 pts, 2.7 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.5 stl 36% FG, 37.1% 3P – (PHI/LAC)
C	#4	Mo Bamba	7’0 | 231 lbs Texas | Age: 26	4.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.1 blk, 0.7 ast 49% FG, 39.1% 3P – (PHI)
SG	#7	Amir Coffey	6’7 | 210 lbs Minnesota | Age: 27	6.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 47.2% FG, 38% 3P
G	#5	Bones Hyland	6’2 | 169 lbs VCU | Age: 24	6.9 pts, 2.5 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.7 stl 38.6% FG, 32.6% 3P
F	#21	Kobe Brown	6’7 | 250 lbs Missouri | Age: 24	2 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.3 stl 41.1% FG, 29.2% 3P
SG	#12	Cam Christie (R)	6’5 | 190 lbs Minnesota | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 46th overall by LAC
SF	#2	Kawhi Leonard* (I)	6’7 | 225 lbs San Diego State | Age: 33	23.7 pts, 6.1 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.6 stl 52.5% FG, 41.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#23	Kai Jones	6’11 | 221 lbs Texas | Age: 23	NO STATS
SG	#11	Jordan Miller	6’5 | 194 lbs Miami | Age: 24	8 GP, 1.6 pts, 0.6 reb, 55.6% FG 50% 3P
SG	#9	Trentyn Flowers (R)	6’7 | 201 lbs USA | Age: 19	UNDRAFTED in 2024

*Kawhi Leonard has knee inflammation and is out indefinitely

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 35-47, 12th in West
MVP: SF Kawhi Leonard
X-Factor: PG James Harden
ADD: SG Kevin Porter Jr.
LOSS: SF Paul George (signed with Philadelphia)
Grade: C

The Clippers enter the ’24-’25 season as a much more independent franchise than they’ve been known as. With a new logo and a new stadium all to themselves, they will no longer live in the shadow of their old Staples Center buddies in the Lakers. I’ve always hated the old “big brother/little brother” dynamic in sports of teams that share cities, but that’s a gripe for another day. The Clips will enter the year without their star Kawhi who is dealing with his typical knee injuries. The departure of Paul George should lead way for James Harden to have a mightily increased role on offense, as the 3x scoring champ faired well taking a back seat as the main facilitator last year. The offense will run through him, at least while Kawhi is out.

Without George, this team is not nearly as deep as they once were. Terance Mann should finally be a consistent starter in the backcourt now with Harden, and veterans Nicolas Batum, Derrick Jones Jr, and P.J. Tucker enter to try to provide some defensive and shooting depth. Kevin Porter Jr. is going to be the darkhorse for this squad, as a lights out scorer that hasn’t been able to get out of his own way off the court. Now with his 3rd team, and coming off of a suspension year, he’ll look to resurge his career. I don’t see this team doing a whole lot this year, especially without Kawhi. Their depth just isn’t there, and a lottery appearance seems likely in the West where there are so many evenly leveled teams.

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Los Angeles Lakers

HC: J.J. Redick
1st year – AGE: 40

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF/C	#3	Anthony Davis	6’10 | 253 lbs Kentucky | Age: 31	24.7 pts, 12.6 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 blk 1.2 stl, 55.6% FG
F	#28	Rui Hachimura	6’8 | 230 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 26	13.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.6 stl 53.7% FG, 42.2% 3P
SF	#23	LeBron James	6’9 | 250 lbs USA | Age: 39	25.7 pts, 8.3 ast, 7.3 reb, 1.3 stl 54% FG, 41% 3P
SG	#15	Austin Reaves	6’5 | 197 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 26	15.9 pts, 5.5 ast, 4.3 reb, 0.8 stl 48.6% FG, 36.7% 3P
PG	#1	D’Angelo Russell	6’3 | 193 lbs Ohio State | Age: 28	18 pts, 6.3 ast, 3.1 reb, 0.9 stl 45.6% FG, 41.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#2	Jarred Vanderbilt*	6’8 | 214 lbs Kentucky | Age: 25	5.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.2 stl 51.8% FG, 29.6% 3P
PG	#7	Gabe Vincent	6’2 | 200 lbs UC-Santa Barbara | Age: 28	11 GP, 3.1 pts, 1.9 ast, 0.8 reb 0.8 stl, 30.6% FG
SF	#5	Cam Reddish	6’7 | 217 lbs Duke | Age: 25	5.4 pts, 2.1 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl 38.9% FG, 33.6% 3P
SG	#12	Max Christie	6’5 | 190 lbs Michigan State | Age: 21	4.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 42.7% FG, 35.6% 3P
C	#11	Jaxson Hayes	7’0 | 220 lbs Texas | Age: 24	4.3 pts, 3 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.5 stl 0.4 blk, 72% FG
SG	#4	Dalton Knecht (R)	6’5 | 204 lbs Tennessee | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 17th overall by LAL
G	#0	Jalen Hood-Schifino	6’5 | 215 lbs Indiana | Age: 21	1.6 pts, 0.6 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.1 stl 22.2% FG, 13.3% 3P
PF/C	#35	Christian Wood**	6’8 | 214 lbs UNLV | Age: 29	6.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.7 blk 46.6% FG, 30.7% 3P
F	#20	Maxwell Lewis	6’7 | 195 lbs Pepperdine | Age: 22	0.3 pts, 0.2 ast, 0.1 reb, 0.1 stl 19% FG, 11.1% 3P
SG	#9	Bronny James (R)	6’2 | 210 lbs USC | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 55th overall by LAL

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#10	Christian Koloko	7’0 | 230 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	DNP – Illness – (TOR)
F	#94	Armel Traoré (R)	6’9 | 210 lbs France | Age: 21	UNDRAFTED in 2024
G	#41	Quincy Olivari (R)	6’3 | 200 lbs Xavier | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

*Jarred Vanderbilt has a foot injury and could miss the first few weeks of the season
**Christian Wood had knee surgery and could miss 1-2 months

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 39-43, 9th in West
MVP: PF Anthony Davis
X-Factor: PG D’Angelo Russell
ADD: SG Dalton Knecht
LOSS: SF Taurean Prince (signed with Milwaukee)
Grade: C+

The Lakers delivered another down year last season, and it resulted in Darvin Ham’s firing and the shocking hire of J.J. Redick. Practically, the Lakers are looking for anyone to help this team compete now, and with LeBron set to turn 40 this December, any year could be his last. The duo of him and Anthony Davis is still elite, and no one can deny the fact that James is still playing at a star level despite all the mileage he has accumulated. This years team will look very similar to that of last year, and the franchise has made it clear that they can’t upgrade much more than they already have.

Outside of AD and LeBron, a few key veterans are going to need to step up if this team wants to come out of the West and compete for a championship. Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell will need to become reliable third and fourth options on offense, with DLo likely needing to return to his all-star form. Besides all of the hoopla around Bronny and LeBron becoming teammates, this team will be in the media spotlight until James decides to call it quits. Realistically, a 5th ring isn’t likely for LeBron, and there are not many avenues for this team to upgrade with anyone who isn’t already in the building.

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Phoenix Suns

HC: Mike Budenholzer
1st year in Phoenix (previously: Atlanta ’13-’18, Milwaukee ’18-’23)
Career record: 484-317, Career Playoff record: 56-48 – AGE: 55

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#20	Jusuf Nurkić	7’0 | 290 lbs Bosnia | Age: 30	10.9 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast, 1.1 blk 1.1 stl, 51% FG
F	#35	Kevin Durant	6’11 | 240 lbs Texas | Age: 36	27.1 pts, 6.6 reb, 5 ast, 1.2 blk 52.3% FG, 41.3% 3P
SG	#3	Bradley Beal	6’4 | 207 lbs Florida | Age: 31	18.2 pts, 5 ast, 4.4 reb, 1 stl 51.3% FG, 43% 3P
SG	#8	Grayson Allen	6’4 | 198 lbs Duke | Age: 29	13.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 3 ast, 0.9 stl 49.9% FG, 46.1% 3P
G	#1	Devin Booker	6’6 | 206 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	27.1 pts, 6.9 ast, 4.5 reb, 0.9 stl 49.2% FG, 36.4% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#00	Royce O’Neale	6’6 | 226 lbs Baylor | Age: 31	7.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.7 stl 39.7% FG, 37% 3P – (BKN/PHX)
PG	#5	Tyus Jones	6’1 | 196 lbs Duke | Age: 28	12 pts, 7.3 ast, 2.7 reb, 1.1 stl 48.9% FG, 41.4% 3P – (WSH)
SF	#2	Josh Okogie	6’4 | 213 lbs Georgia Tech | Age: 26	4.6 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.8 stl 41.7% FG, 30.9% 3P
C	#44	Mason Plumlee	6’10 | 254 lbs Duke | Age: 34	5.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.4 blk 0.3 stl, 56.9% FG – (LAC)
PG	#23	Monte Morris	6’2 | 183 lbs Iowa State | Age: 29	5 pts, 2.1 ast, 1.7 reb, 0.6 stl 40.5% FG, 38.6% 3P – (DET/MIN)
F	#0	Ryan Dunn (R)	6’6 | 216 lbs Virginia | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 28th overall by DEN
SG	#10	Damion Lee	6’6 | 210 lbs Louisville | Age: 32	DNP – Torn meniscus
PF/C	#4	Oso Ighodaro (R)	6’10 | 222 lbs Marquette | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 40th overall by POR
C	#11	Bol Bol	7’3 | 220 lbs Oregon | Age: 24	5.2 pts, 3.2 reb, 0.6 blk, 0.4 ast 61.6% FG, 42.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#21	Collin Gillespie	6’1 | 195 lbs Villanova | Age: 25	3.6 pts, 1.1 ast, 0.9 reb, 0.5 stl 46.4% FG, 39.5% 3P – (DEN)
G	#14	TyTy Washington Jr.	6’3 | 195 lbs Kentucky | Age: 22	11 GP, 1.3 pts, 0.5 ast, 0.5 reb 0.3 stl, 30% FG – (MIL)
SF	#15	Jalen Bridges (R)	6’9 | 225 lbs Baylor | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 52-30, 3rd in West
MVP: SF Kevin Durant
X-Factor: SG Bradley Beal
ADD: PG Tyus Jones
LOSS: SG Eric Gordon (signed with Philadelphia)
Grade: B+

After acquiring Bradley Beal prior to the start of the season, the Suns never were able to get things on track last year. Finishing 49-33, they were swept in the 1st round by Minnesota, prompting them to let go of Frank Vogel after just one year. NBA champ Mike Budenholzer now enters, looking to keep this chiseled group of veterans healthy and able to develop some form of chemistry. We all know Durant, Beal, and Booker are three stars and figuring out how to play together will be the key to their success. After all these are 3 guys who have had a lot of individual success, but very minimal deep playoff runs in their careers.

They saw big years from a few key depth pieces, including Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic who both started alongside their 3 stars. Tyus Jones, Mason Plumlee, and Monte Morris were all signed in free agency and should bring solid veteran minutes to the second unit. One of the pieces I’m most looking forward to is rookie Ryan Dunn, a defensive wizard who can guard four positions and is exactly what this team needs off their bench. Dunn and Royce O’Neale make the frontcourt of the second unit a force around the league on the defensive end, and I think Dunn can have an immediate impact in even a 10-15 minute role. I think this Phoenix team is much more structurally sound, and well put together compared to last season’s team. The key, of course, will be health, and with guys like Beal and KD that may be a lot to ask for. If all goes right they are a true contender to make the NBA Finals out of the West.

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Sacramento Kings

HC: Mike Brown
3rd year in Sacramento (previously: Cleveland ’05-’10/’13-’14, LA Lakers ’11-’12)
Career record: 441-286, Team record: 94-70, Career Playoff record: 50-40 – AGE: 54

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF/C	#11	Domantas Sabonis	6’10 | 240 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 28	19.4 pts, 13.7 reb, 8.2 ast, 0.9 stl 59.4% FG, 37.9% 3P
F	#13	Keegan Murray	6’8 | 225 lbs Iowa | Age: 24	15.2 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 1 stl 45.4% FG, 35.8% 3P
SF	#10	DeMar DeRozan	6’6 | 220 lbs USC | Age: 35	24 pts, 5.3 ast, 4.3 reb, 1.1 stl 48% FG, 33.3% 3P – (CHI)
SG	#9	Kevin Huerter	6’7 | 198 lbs Maryland | Age: 26	10.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.6 ast, 0.7 stl 44.3% FG, 36.1% 3P
PG	#5	De’Aaron Fox	6’3 | 185 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	26.6 pts, 5.6 ast, 4.6 reb, 2 stl 46.5% FG, 36.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#0	Malik Monk	6’3 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	15.4 pts, 5.1 ast, 2.9 reb, 0.6 stl 44.3% FG, 35% 3P
G	#23	Keon Ellis	6’4 | 175 lbs Alabama | Age: 24	5.4 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.9 stl 46.1% FG, 41.7% 3P
PF/C	#41	Trey Lyles*	6’9 | 234 lbs Kentucky | Age: 28	7.2 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.3 blk 44.5% FG, 38.4% 3P
PG	#3	Jordan McLaughlin	6’0 | 185 lbs USC | Age: 28	3.5 pts, 2 ast, 1.3 reb, 0.6 stl 48.3% FG, 47.2% 3P – (MIN)
C	#25	Alex Len	7’0 | 250 lbs Maryland | Age: 31	2.5 pts, 2.7 reb, 1 ast, 0.7 blk 0.2 stl, 61.7% FG
G	#20	Colby Jones	6’6 | 207 lbs Xavier | Age: 22	2.1 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.2 stl 0.2 blk, 39.4% FG
SF	#7	Doug McDermott	6’6 | 225 lbs Creighton | Age: 32	5.5 pts, 1.1 ast, 0.9 reb, 0.3 stl 43.3% FG, 41% 3P – (SAS/IND)
C	#77	Orlando Robinson	6’10 | 235 lbs Fresno State | Age: 24	2.8 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.2 blk 50% FG, 53.3% 3P – (MIA)
G	#22	Devin Carter** (R) (I)	6’2 | 195 lbs Providence | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 13th overall by SAC

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#15	Mason Jones	6’4 | 200 lbs Arkansas | Age: 26	5 GP, 1.4 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast 25% FG, 28.6% 3P
PF/C	#17	Isaac Jones (R)	6’9 | 245 lbs Washington State | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2024
SF	#24	Isaiah Crawford (R)	6’6 | 220 lbs Louisiana Tech | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024

*Trey Lyles has a groin injury and may miss the first few weeks
**Devin Carter had shoulder surgery and may return in February

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 50-32, 4th in West
MVP: PF Domantas Sabonis
X-Factor: PF Keegan Murray
ADD: SF DeMar DeRozan
LOSS: SF Harrison Barnes (traded to San Antonio)
Grade: B

The Kings looked to be on a winners path after the 2023 Playoffs, taking the Warriors to 7 games in their first playoff appearance since 2006. They followed up with a 46-36 record last year, missing the playoffs again, and will look to right the ship this year. They have the team to do it, as once again Domantas Sabonis had an MVP caliber season, while De’Aaron Fox led the team in scoring at nearly 27 ppg. They made a splash this offseason by signing 6x all-star DeMar DeRozan to give them another all-NBA caliber scoring threat. The 3-headed monster on offense now looks to be one of the fiercest in the league. In doing so, they parted ways with Harrison Barnes, giving way for Keegan Murray to step up with a bigger role.

Malik Monk was also extended on a long-term deal to lead the scoring in the second unit, as he already looks like the league favorite to win 6th Man of the Year. Trey Lyles also returns, with veterans Doug McDermott and Jordan McLaughlin added to aid the bench. I don’t think this Kings team is relatively deep, but when it comes to star power they are a fierce contender. They should definitely have a bounce back from their playoff missing year last year, and I suspect them to even land in the top 6 and avoid the play-in.

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Dallas Mavericks

HC: Jason Kidd
4th year in Dallas (previously: Brooklyn ’13-’14, Milwaukee ’14-’18)
Career record: 323-296, Team record: 140-106, Career Playoff record: 31-33 – AGE: 51

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#2	Dereck Lively II	7’1 | 230 lbs Duke | Age: 20	8.8 pts, 6.9 reb, 1.4 blk, 1.1 ast 0.7 stl, 74.7% FG
PF	#25	P.J. Washington	6’6 | 230 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	12.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.9 ast, 1 stl 43.6% FG, 32% 3P – (CHA/DAL)
SG/SF	#31	Klay Thompson	6’5 | 220 lbs Washington State | Age: 34	17.9 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.6 stl 43.2% FG, 38.7% 3P – (GSW)
G/F	#77	Luka Dončić	6’6 | 230 lbs Slovenia | Age: 25	33.9 pts, 9.8 ast, 9.2 reb, 1.4 stl 48.7% FG, 38.2% 3P
PG	#11	Kyrie Irving	6’2 | 195 lbs Duke | Age: 32	25.6 pts, 5.2 ast, 5 reb, 1.3 stl 49.7% FG, 41.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#21	Daniel Gafford	6’10 | 265 lbs Arkansas | Age: 26	11 pts, 7.6 reb, 2.1 blk, 1.6 ast 0.9 stl, 72.5% FG – (WSH/DAL)
SG/SF	#5	Quentin Grimes	6’4 | 210 lbs Houston | Age: 24	7 pts, 2 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.7 stl 37.2% FG, 33.8% 3P – (NYK/DET)
F	#42	Maxi Kleber	6’10 | 240 lbs Germany | Age: 32	4.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.7 blk 43.2% FG, 34.8% 3P
SF	#13	Naji Marshall	6’6 | 220 lbs Xavier | Age: 26	7.1 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.7 stl 46.3% FG, 38.7% 3P – (NOP)
C	#7	Dwight Powell	6’10 | 240 lbs Stanford | Age: 33	3.3 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.4 stl 0.3 blk, 67.9% FG
G	#1	Jaden Hardy	6’3 | 198 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 22	7.3 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.3 stl 40.7% FG, 36.2% 3P
G	#26	Spencer Dinwiddie	6’5 | 215 lbs Colorado | Age: 31	10.5 pts, 4.7 ast, 2.7 reb, 0.7 stl 39.2% FG, 33.7% 3P – (BKN/LAL)
F	#8	Olivier-Maxence Prosper	6’7 | 230 lbs Marquette | Age: 22	3 pts, 2 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 stl 38.5% FG, 28.9% 3P
PF	#88	Markieff Morris	6’9 | 245 lbs Kansas | Age: 35	2.5 pts, 1.5 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 stl 33.8% FG, 35.7% 3P
PG	#0	Dante Exum* (I)	6’5 | 214 lbs Australia | Age: 29	7.8 pts, 2.9 ast, 2.7 reb, 0.4 stl 53.3% FG, 49.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SF	#20	Kessler Edwards	6’7 | 203 lbs Pepperdine | Age: 24	1.7 pts, 0.8 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.2 stl 41.5% FG, 38.5% 3P – (SAC)
G	#10	Brandon Williams	6’1 | 190 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	17 GP, 3.2 pts, 1 ast, 0.8 reb 37% FG, 20% 3P
G	#00	Jazian Gortman (R)	6’2 | 184 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 21	UNDRAFTED in 2023

*Dante Exum had wrist surgery and may return in February

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 47-35, 5th in West
MVP: PG Luka Doncic
X-Factor: PF P.J. Washington
ADD: SG Klay Thompson
LOSS: SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (traded to Detroit)
Grade: B

The Mavericks had a rather improbable run to the NBA Finals last year, as their team dominance wasn’t something that foreshadowed their playoff run. The trade deadline additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford are what moved mountains for the Mavs, giving them two athletic and versatile bigs who can stretch the floor. On top of that, this team only got better in the offseason. Sure, they departed with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green, but they bring in future Hall-of-Famer Klay Thompson along with Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Naji Marshall to aid the bench.

The scoring duo of Kyrie and Luka began to get the league-wide recognition it deserved in the playoffs last year, and will only be looked on with more anticipation now. Luka had the best year of his career while not being the primary ball handler, leading the league in scoring and averaging nearly a triple-double. The rotational pieces are the perfect fit to do exactly what Luka and Kyrie can’t, and that’s their defensive struggles. I like Dallas a lot, but it remains to be seen if they can keep up what they accomplished last year. There are a few teams ahead of them that I like more in the West, but another run will change my opinion on them and their likelihood of winning a ring.

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Houston Rockets

HC: Ime Udoka
2nd year in Houston (previously: Boston ’21-’23)
Career record: 92-72, Team record: 41-41, Career Playoff record: 14-10 – AGE: 47

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#28	Alperen Sengün	6’11 | 243 lbs Turkey | Age: 22	21.1 pts, 9.3 reb, 5 ast, 1.2 stl 53.7% FG, 29.7% 3P
PF	#10	Jabari Smith Jr.	6’10 | 220 lbs Auburn | Age: 21	13.7 pts, 8.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.8 blk 45.4% FG, 36.3% 3P
SF	#9	Dillon Brooks	6’6 | 225 lbs Oregon | Age: 28	12.7 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.9 stl 42.8% FG, 35.9% 3P
SG	#4	Jalen Green	6’4 | 186 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 22	19.6 pts, 5.2 reb, 3.5 ast, 0.8 stl 42.3% FG, 33.2% 3P
G	#5	Fred VanVleet	6’0 | 197 lbs Wichita State | Age: 30	17.4 pts, 8.1 ast, 3.8 reb, 1.4 stl 41.6% FG, 38.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#12	Steven Adams	6’11 | 265 lbs Pittsburgh | Age: 31	DNP – Torn PCL – (MEM)
G	#15	Reed Sheppard (R)	6’2 | 185 lbs Kentucky | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 3rd overall by HOU
F	#1	Amen Thompson	6’7 | 200 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 21	9.5 pts, 6.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.3 stl 53.6% FG, 13.8% 3P
SF	#8	Jae’Sean Tate	6’4 | 230 lbs Ohio State | Age: 28	4.1 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 stl 47.2% FG, 29.9% 3P
SG/SF	#7	Cam Whitmore	6’7 | 230 lbs Villanova | Age: 20	12.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.6 stl 45.4% FG, 35.9% 3P
F	#32	Jeff Green	6’8 | 235 lbs Georgetown | Age: 38	6.5 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.4 blk 45.6% FG, 33.1% 3P
PF/C	#2	Jock Landale	6’11 | 255 lbs St. Mary’s | Age: 28	4.9 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.6 blk 51.5% FG, 25% 3P
PG	#0	Aaron Holiday	6’0 | 185 lbs UCLA | Age: 28	6.6 pts, 1.8 ast, 1.6 reb, 0.5 stl 44.6% FG, 38.7% 3P
F	#17	Tari Eason	6’8 | 215 lbs LSU | Age: 23	9.8 pts, 7 reb, 1.4 stl, 1.2 ast 46.6% FG, 36% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SG	#19	Nate Williams	6’5 | 205 lbs Buffalo | Age: 25	2.9 pts, 1 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.2 stl 54% FG, 40% 3P
C	#3	N’Faly Dante (R)	6’11 | 230 lbs Oregon | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2024
F	#58	Jack McVeigh (R)	6’8 | 215 lbs Nebraska | Age: 28	UNDRAFTED in 2019

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 38-44, 10th in West
MVP: C Alperen Sengun
X-Factor: PG Fred VanVleet
ADD: SG Reed Sheppard
LOSS: SF Reggie Bullock (free agent)
Grade: C

The Rockets enter the new year coming off of a late of positives that they can take away from last season. The rebuild seems to be nearing the end, with a few young pieces starting to break out and a few veterans providing solid minutes. Jalen Green is becoming one of the league’s most talented scorers, and they will anticipate their prized big man Alperen Sengun’s return. Sengun established himself last year as a scoring force with a great sense of passing and rebounding at 7’0. Fred VanVleet had another solid year as a distributor in his first season in Houston, while Dillon Brooks became the enforcer on defense.

Houston also struck gold in the lottery, landing the 3rd pick and getting combo guard Reed Sheppard with it. Sheppard is one of the more sure things in this weak draft class, and as a great defender and facilitator, Houston hopes he and Green can be their backcourt of the future. Veteran Steven Adams will provide more force in the paint after missing all of last year due to injury. I like Houston a lot, and I think they are very raw and very gritty. They have a solid Head Coach of the future as well, but they will likely still be an under .500 team this year. Something is brewing in Houston, but probably won’t be a true playoff contender for a couple more years.

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Memphis Grizzlies

HC: Taylor Jenkins
6th year
Career/Team record: 206-185, Career Playoff record: 9-14 – AGE: 40

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#14	Zach Edey (R)	7’4 | 305 lbs Purdue | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 9th overall by MEM
PF	#13	Jaren Jackson Jr.	6’10 | 242 lbs Michigan State | Age: 25	22.5 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.6 blk 1.2 stl, 44.4% FG
SG	#22	Desmond Bane	6’5 | 215 lbs TCU | Age: 26	23.7 pts, 5.5 ast, 4.4 reb, 1 stl 46.4% FG, 38.1% 3P
G	#36	Marcus Smart	6’3 | 220 lbs Oklahoma State | Age: 30	20 GP, 14.5 pts, 4.3 ast, 2.7 reb 2.1 stl, 43% FG
PG	#12	Ja Morant	6’2 | 174 lbs Murray State | Age: 25	9 GP, 25.1 pts, 8.1 ast, 5.6 reb 0.8 stl, 47.1% FG

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF	#15	Brandon Clarke	6’8 | 215 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 28	6 GP, 11.3 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.5 ast 1 blk, 55.9% FG
C	#7	Santi Aldama	7’0 | 215 lbs Loyola | Age: 23	10.7 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.9 blk 43.5% FG, 34.9% 3P
SG	#10	Luke Kennard	6’5 | 206 lbs Duke | Age: 28	11 pts, 3.5 ast, 2.9 reb, 0.5 stl 44.8% FG, 45% 3P
F	#3	Jake LaRavia	6’7 | 235 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 22	10.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.8 stl 38.9% FG, 34% 3P
G	#5	Vince Williams Jr.	6’4 | 205 lbs VCU | Age: 24	10 pts, 5.6 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.9 stl 44.6% FG, 37.8% 3P
SG	#46	John Konchar	6’5 | 210 lbs Purdue-FW | Age: 28	4.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 2 ast, 0.9 blk 42.3% FG, 31.7% 3P
F	#0	Jaylen Wells (R)	6’8 | 206 lbs Washington St. | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 39th overall by MEM
G	#1	Scotty Pippen Jr.	6’1 | 170 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 23	12.9 pts, 4.7 ast, 3.2 reb, 1.7 stl 49.3% FG, 41.7% 3P
F	#45	GG Jackson II* (I)	6’9 | 210 lbs South Carolina | Age: 19	14.6 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.6 stl 42.8% FG, 35.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#30	Jay Huff	7’1 | 240 lbs Virginia | Age: 27	20 GP, 1.2 pts, 0.6 reb, 0.2 blk 0.1 ast, 60% FG – (DEN)
G	#24	Cam Spencer (R)	6’4 | 205 lbs UConn | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 53rd overall by DET
PG	#17	Yuki Kawamura (R)	5’8 | 159 lbs Japan | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2023

*GG Jackson II has a broken foot and will miss several months

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 43-39, 8th in West
MVP: PG Ja Morant
X-Factor: SG Marcus Smart
ADD: C Zach Edey
LOSS: SF Ziaire Williams (traded to Brooklyn)
Grade: B-

The Grizzlies will be one of the leagues more interesting cases this upcoming season. After looking like they were on the verge of excellence, Ja Morant was struck with off the court issues and injuries that derailed his last two seasons. Jaren Jackson Jr. has also dealt with a plethora of injuries, but both stars look to be fully healthy to start the season. Desmond Bane has established himself as one of the best secondary scorers in the NBA, while the team retains some grit with Marcus Smart as their star defender. The college hoops superstar big man Zach Edey was taken with their lottery pick, a move that some thought was a bit of a reach, but one that also fits Memphis’ needs well.

If this team can get back on track with the way they left off a couple years ago, they should be a contender to come out of the West. We all know what they’re capable of, but the depth is something that may cause some issues. Their bench is full of a bunch of young pieces that impressed, but couldn’t win them games last year. Maybe they’ll prove me wrong, but if injuries strike it could derail them very quickly. The Grizzlies have a lot to prove this year, and it starts with their star PG re-establishing himself as a face of the league.

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New Orleans Pelicans

HC: Willie Green
4th year
Career/Team record: 127-119, Career Playoff record: 2-8 – AGE: 43

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PF	#1	Zion Williamson	6’6 | 284 lbs Duke | Age: 24	22.9 pts, 5.8 reb, 5 ast, 1.1 stl 57% FG, 33.3% 3P
F	#14	Brandon Ingram	6’8 | 190 lbs Duke | Age: 27	20.8 pts, 5.7 ast, 5.1 reb, 0.8 stl 49.2% FG, 35.5% 3P
SG/SF	#25	Trey Murphy III	6’8 | 206 lbs Virginia | Age: 24	14.8 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.2 ast, 0.9 stl 44.3% FG, 38% 3P
SG	#3	C.J. McCollum	6’3 | 190 lbs Lehigh | Age: 33	20 pts, 4.6 ast, 4.3 reb, 0.9 stl 45.9% FG, 42.9% 3P
G	#5	Dejounte Murray	6’4 | 180 lbs Washington | Age: 28	22.5 pts, 6.4 ast, 5.3 reb, 1.4 stl 45.9% FG, 36.3% 3P – (ATL)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
F	#2	Herbert Jones	6’7 | 206 lbs Alabama | Age: 26	11 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.4 stl 49.8% FG, 41.8% 3P
PG	#15	Jose Alvarado	6’0 | 179 lbs Georgia Tech | Age: 26	7.1 pts, 2.3 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.1 stl 41.2% FG, 37.7% 3P
C	#21	Yves Missi (R)	6’11 | 235 lbs Baylor | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 21st overall by NOP
SG	#24	Jordan Hawkins	6’5 | 190 lbs UConn | Age: 22	7.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 1 ast, 0.3 stl 38.2% FG, 36.6% 3P
PF	#50	Jeremiah Robinson-Earl	6’8 | 240 lbs Villanova | Age: 23	2.9 pts, 1.9 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.3 stl 47.4% FG, 33.3% 3P
SG/SF	#4	Javonte Green	6’5 | 205 lbs Radford | Age: 31	9 GP, 12.2 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.1 stl 60% FG, 37% 3P – (CHI)
SG	#12	Antonio Reeves (R)	6’5 | 205 lbs Kentucky | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 47th overall by ORL
C	#10	Daniel Theis	6’8 | 245 lbs Germany | Age: 32	6.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.9 blk 53.2% FG, 36.6% 3P – (IND/LAC)
C	#17	Karlo Matković (R)	6’10 | 231 lbs Croatia | Age: 23	DRAFTED in 2022

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
SF	#8	Jamal Cain	6’6 | 191 lbs Oakland | Age: 25	3.7 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.4 stl 43% FG, 35.5% 3P – (MIA)
SG/SF	#11	Brandon Boston Jr.	6’6 | 188 lbs Kentucky | Age: 22	5.2 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.3 stl 40.4% FG, 26.9% 3P – (LAC)
C	#55	Trey Jemison	6’10 | 260 lbs UAB | Age: 24	6.8 pts, 5.4 reb, 1.1 blk, 1.1 ast 0.5 stl, 55.1% FG – (WSH/MEM)

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 45-37, 6th in West
MVP: PG Dejounte Murray
X-Factor: SF Brandon Ingram
ADD: PG Dejounte Murray
LOSS: C Jonas Valanciunas (signed with Washington)
Grade: B

The Pelicans were finally able to keep health a mainstay a year ago and it resulted in a solid season for them. Brandon Ingram was the one down point, as he had another solid year in the stat book but didn’t show up in clutch moments. Zion stayed healthy as well and returned to MVP form while C.J. McCollum had one of the best shooting season’s of his career. The one big difference maker that I think will put them over the top is the acquisition of star guard Dejounte Murray. Murray looked lost in Atlanta, and he comes to a team where he can run the offense and focus on facilitating Zion, BI, and C.J.

I was very high on the Pelicans a couple of years ago and I am yet again this year. I think their development has headed in the right direction and they’re going to be a sneaky force in the West. Dejounte Murray is a great addition to what they already have, and I think Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III will continue to develop into very solid role players in the frontcourt.

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San Antonio Spurs

HC: Gregg Popovich
29th year
Career/Team record: 1,388-821, Career Playoff record: 170-114 – AGE: 75

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
C	#1	Victor Wembanyama	7’3 | 235 lbs France | Age: 20	21.4 pts, 10.6 reb, 3.9 ast, 3.6 blk 46.5% FG, 32.5% 3P
F	#0	Keldon Johnson	6’5 | 215 lbs Kentucky | Age: 25	15.7 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.7 stl 45.4% FG, 34.6% 3P
F	#10	Jeremy Sochan	6’8 | 230 lbs Baylor | Age: 21	11.6 pts, 6.4 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.8 stl 0.5 blk, 43.8% FG
SG	#24	Devin Vassell	6’5 | 205 lbs Florida State | Age: 24	19.5 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.8 reb, 1.1 stl 47.2% FG, 37.2% 3P
PG	#3	Chris Paul	6’0 | 190 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 39	9.2 pts, 6.8 ast, 3.9 reb, 1.2 stl 44.1% FG, 37.1% 3P – (GSW)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
PG	#33	Tre Jones	6’1 | 190 lbs Duke | Age: 24	10 pts, 6.2 ast, 3.8 reb, 1 stl 50.5% FG, 33.5% 3P
F	#40	Harrison Barnes	6’8 | 225 lbs North Carolina | Age: 32	12.2 pts, 3 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.7 stl 47.4% FG, 38.7% 3P – (SAC)
PF/C	#23	Zach Collins	6’11 | 240 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 26	11.2 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.8 blk 48.4% FG, 32% 3P
G	#5	Stephon Castle (R)	6’5 | 210 lbs UConn | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 4th overall by SAS
SG/SF	#22	Malaki Branham	6’5 | 205 lbs Ohio State | Age: 21	9.2 pts, 2.1 ast, 2 reb, 0.4 stl 43.2% FG, 34.7% 3P
F	#30	Julian Champagnie	6’8 | 210 lbs St. John’s | Age: 23	6.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.6 stl 40.8% FG, 36.5% 3P
G	#14	Blake Wesley	6’3 | 190 lbs Notre Dame | Age: 21	4.4 pts, 2.7 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.5 stl 47.4% FG, 21.8% 3P
PF/C	#54	Sandro Mamukelashvili	6’9 | 240 lbs Seton Hall | Age: 25	4.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.3 blk 47.1% FG, 29.7% 3P
SF	#25	Sidy Cissoko	6’6 | 220 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 20	12 GP, 3.8 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.8 ast 0.6 stl, 48.5% FG
C	#28	Charles Bassey	6’10 | 240 lbs W. Kentucky | Age: 23	19 GP, 3.3 pts, 4 reb, 1.1 ast 0.9 blk, 72.5% FG

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2023-24 Season Stats
G	#7	David Duke Jr.	6’4 | 200 lbs Providence | Age: 25	4 GP, 6.5 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.3 ast 55.6% FG, 50% 3P
F	#55	Harrison Ingram (R)	6’5 | 235 lbs North Carolina | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 48th overall by SAS
F	#27	Riley Minix (R)	6’7 | 230 lbs Morehead State | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2024

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 27-55, 15th in West
MVP: C Victor Wembanyama
X-Factor: PG Chris Paul
ADD: SG Stephon Castle
LOSS: SF Cedi Osman (signed to play overseas)
Grade: D

The Spurs enter year 2 of the Wemby era, and his rookie year did not disappoint in the least bit. Honestly if he wasn’t a rookie, I think he would have gotten more consideration for Defensive Player of the Year. The team around him developed a bit as well, with Devin Vassell having a career year and becoming the leader in their backcourt. Now San Antonio is going to shake things up by bringing in NBA legend Chris Paul. A move that shocked some in the NBA world but also makes a ton of sense. Ending his career developing Wemby into a pick-and-roll threat while mentoring Stephon Castle could be huge for the organization. Just a few of the strings you can pull when you’re a Head Coach of Pop’s caliber.

As far as competing this year, the Spurs should be a bit better but not in the discussion to be a play-in team. They should still wind up with one of the top picks in next year’s draft, which would not be the worst thing. With how stacked this upcoming lottery is, many teams towards the bottom will feel inclined to mail it in in the second half in hopes of striking a top pick in the lottery. Add a Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey to this core and they may be a play-in team as early as next year.