NBA 2025-26 Season Preview

Standings

Playoff Predictions

EAST

Play-In Tournament:
– 8 Boston over 7 Indiana – Boston earns the 7-seed
– 9 Philadelphia over 10 Toronto – Toronto is eliminated
– 7 Indiana aver 9 Philadelphia – Indiana earns the 8-seed, Philadelphia is eliminated

1st Round	EC Semis	EC Finals	EC Champs
1 – New York vs. (NYK in 5) 8 – Indiana
4 – Milwaukee vs. (DET in 6) 5 – Detroit	1 – New York vs. (NYK in 5) 5 – Detroit
		1 – New York vs. (CLE in 7) 2 – Cleveland	Cleveland Cavaliers EAST CHAMPS
3 – Orlando vs. (ORL in 6) 6 – Atlanta	3 – Orlando vs. (CLE in 6) 2 – Cleveland
2 – Cleveland vs. (CLE in 7) 7 – Boston

WEST

Play-In Tournament:
– 8 San Antonio over 7 LA Lakers – San Antonio earns 7-seed
– 9 LA Clippers over 10 Portland – Portland is eliminated
– 7 LA Lakers over 9 LA Clippers – LA Lakers earn 8-seed, LA Clippers are eliminated

1st Round	WC Semis	WC Finals	WC Champs
1 – Denver vs. (DEN in 5) 8 – LA Lakers
4 – Golden State vs. (GSW in 6) 5 – Minnesota	1 – Denver vs. (GSW in 7) 4 – Golden State
		4 – Golden State vs. (GSW in 6) 2 – Houston	Golden State Warriors WEST CHAMPS
3 – Oklahoma City vs. (OKC in 5) 6 – Dallas	3 – Oklahoma City vs. (HOU in 6) 2 – Houston
2 – Houston vs. (HOU in 7) 7 – San Antonio

2026 NBA Finals:
Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 6 games

Award Predictions

MVP: Luka Doncic, LA Lakers
Defensive Player of the Year: Amen Thompson, Houston
Sixth Man of the Year: Anfernee Simons, Boston
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Dallas
Clutch Player of the Year: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota
Most Improved Player: Matas Buzelis, Chicago
Coach of the Year: Ime Udoka, Houston

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Roster Projections

Boston Celtics

HC: Joe Mazzulla
4th year
Career/Team record: 182-64, Career Playoff record: 33-17 – AGE: 37

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#99	Chris Boucher	6’9 | 200 lbs Oregon | Age: 32	10 pts, 4.5 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.5 blk 49.2% FG, 36.3% 3P – (TOR)
F	#30	Sam Hauser	6’7 | 217 lbs Virginia | Age: 27	8.5 pts, 3.2 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.6 stl 45.1% FG, 41.6% 3P
SG/SF	#7	Jaylen Brown	6’6 | 223 lbs California | Age: 28	22.2 pts, 5.8 reb, 4.5 ast, 1.2 stl 46.3% FG, 32.4% 3P
G	#9	Derrick White	6’4 | 190 lbs Colorado | Age: 31	16.4 pts, 4.8 ast, 4.5 reb, 1.1 blk 44.2% FG, 38.4% 3P
PG	#11	Payton Pritchard	6’1 | 195 lbs Oregon | Age: 27	14.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 0.9 stl 47.2% FG, 40.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#4	Anfernee Simons	6’3 | 200 lbs IMG Academy (HS) | Age: 26	19.3 pts, 4.8 ast, 2.7 reb, 0.9 stl 42.6% FG, 36.3% 3P – (POR)
F	#8	Josh Minott	6’8 | 205 lbs Memphis | Age: 22	2.6 pts, 1 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.3 blk 48.9% FG, 32.6% 3P – (MIN)
C	#88	Neemias Queta	7’0 | 248 lbs Utah State | Age: 26	5 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.7 blk 65% FG
SG	#27	Jordan Walsh	6’6 | 205 lbs Arkansas | Age: 21	1.6 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.2 stl 36.1% FG, 27.3% 3P
C	#52	Luka Garza	6’10 | 243 lbs Iowa | Age: 26	3.5 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.2 stl 49.5% FG, 27.8% 3P – (MIN)
SF	#55	Baylor Scheierman	6’6 | 205 lbs Creighton | Age: 24	31 GP, 3.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.1 stl 35.5% FG, 31.7% 3P
SG/SF	#28	Hugo González (R)	6’6 | 205 lbs Spain | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 28th overall by BOS
PF/C	#26	Xavier Tillman Sr.	6’7 | 245 lbs Michigan State | Age: 26	1 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.3 stl, 0.2 ast 24.5% FG, 15.6% 3P
F	#0	Jayson Tatum* (I)	6’8 | 210 lbs Duke | Age: 27	26.8 pts, 8.7 reb, 6 ast, 1.1 stl 45.2% FG, 34.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#13	Ron Harper Jr.	6’5 | 233 lbs Rutgers | Age: 25	1 GP, 4 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast 12.5% FG – (DET)
C	#77	Amari Williams (R)	7’0 | 262 lbs Kentucky | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 48th overall by ORL
SG	#29	Max Shulga (R)	6’5 | 210 lbs VCU | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 57th overall by ORL

*Jayson Tatum has a torn achilles and may return in April

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 41-41, 8th in East
MVP: SF Jayson Tatum
X-Factor: PG Payton Pritchard
ADD: SG Anfernee Simons (Traded from Portland)
LOSS: PG Jrue Holiday (Traded to Portland)
Grade: B-

The 2024 Champions entered their title defending season with all of the ambition in the world to repeat. Things quickly fell downhill as the team lost in East Semis to the Knicks, a series that resulted in star Jayson Tatum tearing his achilles. This left Brad Stevens and the rest of the front office no choice but to go younger, in support of keeping a winner around Tatum and Brown. Jrue Holiday was let go, as well as Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. Three veterans that were the engines for their championship team.

In response to these moves, they extended Payton Pritchard to become Jrue’s successor as the floor general. Anfernee Simons was also acquired from Portland, a talented scoring wing that can lead the second unit. Sam Hauser was also extended, and Boston will likely be looking at young guys like Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez to become consistent rotational pieces off the bench. It’s tough to predict the Celtics landing a top seed in the East without Tatum, but if all goes right, they may get their star back in April with hopefully nothing lower than a play-in seed to play through.

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Brooklyn Nets

HC: Jordi Fernández
2nd year
Career/Team record: 26-56 – AGE: 42

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#33	Nic Claxton	6’11 | 215 lbs Georgia | Age: 26	10.3 pts, 7.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.4 blk 56.3% FG, 23.8% 3P
F	#17	Michael Porter Jr.	6’10 | 218 lbs Missouri | Age: 27	18.2 pts, 7 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.6 stl 50.4% FG, 39.5% 3P – (DEN)
F	#1	Ziaire Williams	6’9 | 185 lbs Stanford | Age: 24	10 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 1 stl 41.2% FG, 34.1% 3P
SG	#24	Cam Thomas	6’3 | 210 lbs LSU | Age: 23	25 GP, 24 pts, 3.8 ast, 3.3 reb 43.8% FG, 34.9% 3P
SG	#14	Terance Mann	6’5 | 215 lbs Florida State | Age: 28	7.7 pts, 3 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.7 stl 49.6% FG, 36.8% 3P – (LAC/ATL)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#20	Day’Ron Sharpe	6’9 | 265 lbs North Carolina | Age: 23	7.9 pts, 6.6 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.8 blk 52.1% FG, 24.4% 3P
PG	#8	Egor Demin (R)	6’8 | 200 lbs BYU | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 8th overall by BKN
F	#22	Jalen Wilson	6’6 | 220 lbs Kansas | Age: 24	9.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.5 stl 39.7% FG, 33.7% 3P
F	#7	Haywood Highsmith*	6’5 | 220 lbs Wheeling (D-II) | Age: 28	6.5 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.9 stl 45.8% FG, 38.2% 3P – (MIA)
PF/C	#2	Danny Wolf (R)	7’0 | 254 lbs Michigan | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 27th overall by BKN
G	#77	Ben Saraf (R)	6’5 | 200 lbs Israel | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 26th overall by BKN
PF/C	#21	Noah Clowney	6’9 | 210 lbs Alabama | Age: 21	9.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.5 blk 35.8% FG, 33.3% 3P
SG	#4	Drake Powell (R)	6’5 | 200 lbs North Carolina | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 22nd overall by ATL
PG	#88	Nolan Traoré (R)	6’3 | 175 lbs France | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 19th overall by BKN
SG	#13	Tyrese Martin	6’6 | 215 lbs UConn | Age: 26	8.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 2 ast, 0.6 stl 40.6% FG, 35.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#9	E.J. Liddell	6’7 | 240 lbs Ohio State | Age: 24	12 GP, 1.8 pts, 0.8 reb, 0.3 ast 53.3% FG, 30% 3P – (CHI)
SG	#10	Tyson Etienne	6’2 | 200 lbs Wichita State | Age: 26	7 GP, 7.9 pts, 1.7 ast, 1.3 reb 32.7% FG, 29.5% 3P

*Haywood Highsmith continues to rehab a knee injury and may return in December

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 22-60, 15th in East
MVP: SF Michael Porter Jr.
X-Factor: SG Terance Mann 
ADD: SF Michael Porter Jr. (Traded from Denver)
LOSS: SF Cameron Johnson (Traded to Denver)
Grade: D+

The Nets didn’t enter the ’24-’25 season with a ton of hope, and that quickly became apparent as the team went through rebuilding mode. Now they enter the new season with a new star piece to build around. After acquiring Michael Porter Jr. from the Nuggets, he’ll become the centerpiece among a team full of young players. Cam Thomas was also retained on a 1-year deal after a solid season that only last 24 games due to injury. Nic Claxton remains the big presence down low, and Day’Ron Sharpe was also extended to back him up at the 5. Veterans Terance Mann and Haywood Highsmith also will give them solid minutes and a couple of pieces they can flip at the deadline.

Brooklyn has accumulated a lot of picks after dealing away Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. They entered the 2025 Draft with five 1st round picks, and somehow, decided to retain all of them. Egor Demin was taken with their lottery pick, a 6’8 point forward that has NBA size and skill to be a good wing. A couple of foreign projects in Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf were brought on board, with defensive minded guard Drake Powell and highly skilled big Danny Wolf. It’ll be a mix of a youth parade with a few older pieces to keep them competitive in games. Regardless, they’ll be at the bottom of the East again in 2026.

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New York Knicks

HC: Mike Brown
1st year as Knicks HC, 12th year as a HC (prev: CLE ’05-’10, LAL ’11-’12, SAC ’22-’24)
Career record: 454-304, Career Playoff record: 50-40 – AGE: 55

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#23	Mitchell Robinson	7’0 | 240 lbs Western Kentucky | Age: 27	17 GP, 5.1 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.1 blk 66.1% FG
PF	#32	Karl-Anthony Towns	7’0 | 248 lbs Kentucky | Age: 29	24.4 pts, 12.8 reb, 3.1 ast, 1 stl 52.6% FG, 42% 3P
SF	#25	Mikal Bridges	6’6 | 209 lbs Villanova | Age: 29	17.6 pts, 3.7 ast, 3.2 reb, 0.9 stl 50% FG, 35.4% 3P
SF	#8	OG Anunoby	6’7 | 240 lbs Indiana | Age: 28	18 pts, 4.8 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.5 stl 47.6% FG, 37.2% 3P
PG	#11	Jalen Brunson	6’2 | 190 lbs Villanova | Age: 29	26 pts, 7.3 ast, 2.9 reb, 0.9 stl 48.8% FG, 38.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG/SF	#3	Josh Hart	6’4 | 215 lbs Villanova | Age: 30	13.6 pts, 9.6 reb, 5.9 ast, 1.5 stl 52.5% FG, 33.3% 3P
G	#00	Jordan Clarkson	6’3 | 194 lbs Missouri | Age: 33	16.2 pts, 3.7 ast, 3.2 reb, 0.8 stl 40.8% FG, 36.2% 3P – (UTA)
PF	#28	Guerschon Yabusele	6’8 | 265 lbs France | Age: 29	11 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.8 stl 50.1% FG, 38% 3P – (PHI)
PG	#2	Miles McBride	6’1 | 195 lbs West Virginia | Age: 25	9.5 pts, 2.9 ast, 2.5 reb, 1 stl 40.6% FG, 36.9% 3P
C	#55	Ariel Hukporti	6’11 | 246 lbs Germany | Age: 23	1.9 pts, 2 reb, 0.6 blk, 0.4 ast 67.7% FG
SG	#44	Landry Shamet	6’4 | 190 lbs Wichita State | Age: 28	5.7 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.5 stl 46.1% FG, 39.7% 3P
PG	#13	Tyler Kolek	6’3 | 195 lbs Marquette | Age: 24	2 pts, 1.7 ast, 0.7 reb, 0.3 stl 32.9% FG, 29.8% 3P
SG/SF	#4	Pacôme Dadiet	6’8 | 210 lbs France | Age: 20	18 GP, 1.7 pts, 1 reb, 0.3 ast 32.3% FG, 31.6% 3P
F	#51	Mohamed Diawara (R)	6’8 | 225 lbs France | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 51st overall by LAC

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG/SF	#9	Kevin McCullar Jr.	6’6 | 210 lbs Kansas | Age: 24	4 GP, 1.5 pts, 2 reb, 0.5 ast 28.6% FG
F	#20	Tosan Evbuomwan	6’7 | 217 lbs Princeton | Age: 24	9.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 2 ast, 0.9 stl 42.7% FG, 31.2% 3P – (BKN)
C	#50	Trey Jemison III	6’11 | 270 lbs UAB | Age: 25	2.5 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.4 blk 55.4% FG – (NOP/LAL)

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 60-22, 1st in East
MVP: PG Jalen Brunson
X-Factor: C Mitchell Robinson
ADD: SG Jordan Clarkson (Signed)
LOSS: PF Precious Achiuwa (Signed with Miami)
Grade: A-

The Knicks had their best season in over 2.5 decades after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to lose to the Pacers. Their lack of depth showed big-time in the series, and the coaching style of Tom Thibodeau warranted a replacement at Head Coach. Mike Brown is set to take over, as the veteran has had prominent jobs with the young LeBron Cavs and as a top assistant in the Warriors’ dynasty under Steve Kerr. The main core will remain the same, with the bench significantly deeper than they were a year ago.

Veterans Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet will add huge scoring prowess off the bench, something they lacked big time in their second unit. The impact of Mitchell Robinson starting alongside KAT was huge in the playoffs, and I think this will likely continue with Josh Hart as the 6th man this year. Guerschon Yabusele was brought in as the backup big, a different type of forward than Precious Achiuwa, who can stretch the floor from three while protecting the rim. I love the Knicks this year, and I think year 2 of NY for KAT and Bridges will prove to bring less inconsistency than last year. With the Celtics and Pacers injured and losing key pieces, the Knicks emerge as the favorite to come out of the East.

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Philadelphia 76ers

HC: Nick Nurse
3rd year as 76ers HC, 8th year as a HC (prev: TOR ’18-’23)
Career record: 298-256, 76ers record: 71-93, Career Playoff record: 27-20 – AGE: 58

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#21	Joel Embiid	7’0 | 280 lbs Kansas | Age: 31	19 GP, 23.8 pts, 8.2 reb, 4.5 ast 44.4% FG, 29.9% 3P
F	#8	Paul George	6’8 | 220 lbs Fresno State | Age: 35	16.2 pts, 5.3 reb, 4.3 ast, 1.8 stl 43% FG, 35.8% 3P
SG/SF	#9	Kelly Oubre Jr.	6’8 | 203 lbs Kansas | Age: 29	15.1 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.5 stl 47% FG, 29.3% 3P
SG	#20	Jared McCain*	6’3 | 195 lbs Duke | Age: 21	15.3 pts, 2.6 ast, 2.4 reb, 0.7 stl 46% FG, 38.3% 3P
G	#0	Tyrese Maxey	6’2 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 24	26.3 pts, 6.1 ast, 3.3 reb, 1.8 stl 43.7% FG, 33.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG/SF	#5	Quentin Grimes	6’4 | 210 lbs Houston | Age: 25	14.6 pts, 4.3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl 46.7% FG, 38.5% 3P – (DAL/PHI)
SG	#23	Eric Gordon	6’3 | 215 lbs Indiana | Age: 36	6.8 pts, 1.7 ast, 1.2 reb, 0.7 stl 42.6% FG, 40.9% 3P
G	#77	V.J. Edgecombe (R)	6’5 | 180 lbs Baylor | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 3rd overall by PHI
C	#1	Andre Drummond	6’11 | 279 lbs UConn | Age: 32	7.3 pts, 7.8 reb, 1 stl, 0.9 ast 50% FG
SG/SF	#11	Justin Edwards	6’7 | 203 lbs Kentucky | Age: 21	10.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 stl 45.5% FG, 36.3% 3P
PG	#7	Kyle Lowry	6’0 | 196 lbs Villanova | Age: 39	3.9 pts, 2.7 ast, 1.9 reb, 0.9 stl 35% FG, 33% 3P
C	#30	Adem Bona	6’10 | 235 lbs UCLA | Age: 22	5.8 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.2 blk, 0.5 ast 70.3% FG
PF/C	#22	Johni Broome (R)	6’10 | 240 lbs Auburn | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 35th overall by PHI
PF	#12	Trendon Watford	6’8 | 237 lbs LSU | Age: 24	10.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 0.6 stl 46.9% FG, 33% 3P – (BKN)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/College/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF	#33	Jabari Walker	6’7 | 237 lbs Colorado | Age: 23	5.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.6 stl 51.5% FG, 38.9% 3P – (POR)
PF/C	#25	Dominick Barlow	6’8 | 215 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 22	4.2 pts, 2.4 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.5 blk 53.1% FG, 25.9% 3P – (ATL)
SG	#45	Hunter Sallis (R)	6’5 | 185 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*Jared McCain continues to rehab thumb and knee injuries and may return in December

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 37-45, 9th in East
MVP: C Joel Embiid
X-Factor: C Joel Embiid
ADD: SG V.J. Edgecombe (Rookie)
LOSS: PF Guerschon Yabusele (Signed with New York)
Grade: C 

The Sixers had what can only be explained as a disaster of a season a year ago, after entering the year with a tough and gritty veteran team. Coming off of his MVP season, Joel Embiid couldn’t stay healthy, and his injury concerns are beginning to cast doubt around how many more dominant years he has left. The Paul George signing was a dud as well, as he has clearly lost a step and is no longer a star forward in the league. On the bright side, Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain look like the future backcourt in Philly, as they hope McCain can return from injury with his smooth scoring ability he showcased last year.

Bringing back Quentin Grimes on a 1-year deal was a good move and Kelly Oubre had probably his best year as a pro, at times being the go-to scoring option. V.J. Edgecombe was also brought in with the 3rd pick, a defensive minded guard who can bolster the bench right off the bat. The Sixers should definitely be an upgrade from last year, but it’ll all stem from their ability to stay healthy. Embiid can’t be counted on for a full year, while PG and McCain have injury issues themselves. It’s too much of a risk to predict them to be more than a possible play-in team in the East.

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Toronto Raptors

HC: Darko Rajaković
3rd year
Career/Team record: 55-109 – AGE: 46

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#19	Jakob Poeltl	7’0 | 260 lbs Utah | Age: 29	14.5 pts, 9.6 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.2 blk 62.7% FG
F	#3	Brandon Ingram	6’8 | 190 lbs Duke | Age: 28	18 GP, 22.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.2 ast 46.5% FG, 37.4% 3P – (NOP)
G/SF	#4	Scottie Barnes	6’7 | 237 lbs Florida State | Age: 24	19.3 pts, 7.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 1.4 stl 44.6% FG, 27.1% 3P
SG/SF	#9	R.J. Barrett	6’6 | 214 lbs Duke | Age: 25	21.1 pts, 6.3 reb, 5.4 ast, 0.8 stl 46.8% FG, 35% 3P
PG	#5	Immanuel Quickley	6’2 | 190 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	17.1 pts, 5.8 ast, 3.5 reb, 0.7 stl 42% FG, 37.8% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG/SF	#1	Gradey Dick	6’6 | 200 lbs Kansas | Age: 21	14.4 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.9 stl 41% FG, 35% 3P
SG	#30	Ochai Agbaji	6’5 | 215 lbs Kansas | Age: 25	10.4 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.9 stl 49.8% FG, 39.9% 3P
PF	#12	Collin Murray-Boyles (R)	6’7 | 245 lbs South Carolina | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 9th overall by TOR
SG/SF	#14	Ja’Kobe Walter	6’5 | 180 lbs Baylor | Age: 21	8.6 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.8 stl 40.5% FG, 34.9% 3P
PF/C	#2	Jonathan Mogbo	6’9 | 225 lbs San Francisco | Age: 23	6.2 pts, 4.9 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.9 stl 43.8% FG, 24.3% 3P
C	#54	Sandro Mamukelashvili	6’9 | 240 lbs Seton Hall | Age: 26	6.3 pts, 3.1 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.3 stl 50.2% FG, 37.3% 3P – (SAS)
PG	#23	Jamal Shead	6’1 | 200 lbs Houston | Age: 23	7.1 pts, 4.2 ast, 1.5 reb, 0.8 stl 40.5% FG, 32.3% 3P
SF	#17	Garrett Temple	6’5 | 195 lbs LSU | Age: 39	1.9 pts, 1.1 ast, 1 reb, 0.6 stl 30% FG, 21.4% 3P
F	#77	Jamison Battle	6’7 | 220 lbs Ohio State | Age: 24	7.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 42.9% FG, 40.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#0	A.J. Lawson	6’6 | 179 lbs South Carolina | Age: 25	9.1 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 42.1% FG, 32.7% 3P
SG/SF	#55	Alijah Martin (R)	6’2 | 210 lbs Florida | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 39th overall by TOR
PG	#24	Chucky Hepburn (R)	6’2 | 190 lbs Louisville | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2025

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 36-46, 10th in East
MVP: G/SF Scottie Barnes
X-Factor: SF Brandon Ingram
ADD: PF Collin Murray-Boyles (Rookie)
LOSS: C Chris Boucher (Signed with Boston)
Grade: C-

The Raptors come into the new year set to go with a new franchise centerpiece and a similar roster. After being acquired at the deadline, Brandon Ingram will be set to make his Raptors debut, creating a fierce frontcourt alongside Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl. Toronto is undoubtedly in a rebuild but a few glimmers of hope center around their young core. Gradey Dick had a great rookie season, and looks like he can be a key piece to the team’s future. Ochai Agbaji and Ja’Kobe Walter also look like solid bench supporting pieces to backup Quickley and Barrett.

The Raptors’ chances of being competitive this year will almost solely ride on what they can get from Ingram and Barrett. Since coming over from the Knicks, both Barrett and Quickley have developed as players, but still are unproven if you can win with them as your starting backcourt. I mean, that’s the whole reason the Knicks flipped them for OG Anunoby in the first place. I think this team is solid, but even the Ingram addition isn’t a game changer, as he is another guy, who similarly to Quickley and Barrett, put up good numbers but don’t change the winning culture. It feels like a team full of guys trying desperately to flip the script on their careers, which almost never works.

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Chicago Bulls

HC: Billy Donovan
6th year as Bulls HC, 11th year as a HC (prev: OKC ’15-’20)
Career record: 438-362, Bulls record: 195-205, Career Playoff record: 19-27 – AGE: 60

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#9	Nikola Vučević	6’10 | 260 lbs USC | Age: 34	18.5 pts, 10.1 reb, 3.5 ast, 0.8 stl 53% FG, 40.2% 3P
F	#44	Patrick Williams	6’8 | 215 lbs Florida State | Age: 24	9 pts, 3.8 reb, 2 ast, 0.8 stl 39.7% FG, 35.3% 3P
F	#14	Matas Buzelis	6’10 | 209 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 20	8.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 1 ast, 0.9 blk 45.4% FG, 36.1% 3P
G	#0	Coby White*	6’5 | 195 lbs North Carolina | Age: 25	20.4 pts, 4.5 ast, 3.7 reb, 0.9 stl 45.3% FG, 37% 3P
G	#3	Josh Giddey	6’8 | 216 lbs Australia | Age: 22	14.6 pts, 8.1 reb, 7.2 ast, 1.2 stl 46.5% FG, 37.8% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#11	Ayo Dosunmu	6’5 | 200 lbs Illinois | Age: 25	12.3 pts, 4.5 ast, 3.5 reb, 0.9 stl 49.2% FG, 32.8% 3P
PG	#30	Tre Jones	6’1 | 185 lbs Duke | Age: 25	7.2 pts, 4.2 ast, 2.5 reb, 0.8 stl 53.8% FG, 39.6% 3P – (SAS/CHI)
PF/C	#12	Zach Collins**	6’11 | 250 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 27	6.4 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.5 blk 50.7% FG, 30.2% 3P – (SAS/CHI)
SG/SF	#13	Kevin Huerter	6’7 | 198 lbs Maryland | Age: 27	9.9 pts, 3 reb, 2.3 ast, 1 stl 42.5% FG, 33.8% 3P – (SAC/CHI)
SF	#35	Isaac Okoro	6’5 | 225 lbs Auburn | Age: 24	6.1 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.6 stl 46.4% FG, 37.1% 3P – (CLE)
PF/C	#25	Jalen Smith	6’9 | 215 lbs Maryland | Age: 25	8.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 1 ast, 0.7 blk 46.6% FG, 32.4% 3P
SF	#7	Dalen Terry	6’7 | 195 lbs Arizona | Age: 23	4.5 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl 44.8% FG, 35.6% 3P
F	#24	Noa Essengue (R)	6’8 | 194 lbs France | Age: 18	DRAFTED: 12th overall by CHI
F	#15	Julian Phillips	6’8 | 198 lbs Tennessee | Age: 21	4.6 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.5 stl 44.6% FG, 32.7% 3P
PG	#5	Jevon Carter	6’1 | 200 lbs West Virginia | Age: 30	4.3 pts, 1.1 ast, 1.1 reb, 0.4 stl 37.7% FG, 33.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
F	#20	Emanuel Miller	6’7 | 215 lbs TCU | Age: 25	6 GP, 1.7 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.3 ast 50% FG
PF	#47	Lachlan Olbrich (R)	6’10 | 236 lbs UC-Riverside | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 55th overall by LAL
SF		Trentyn Flowers	6’9 | 185 lbs USA | Age: 20	6 GP, 1.8 pts, 0.7 reb, 36.4% FG – (LAC)

*Coby White has a calf injury and may return in November
**Zach Collins has a broken wrist and may return in December

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 30-52, 13th in East
MVP: C Nikola Vucevic
X-Factor: SF Matas Buzelis
ADD: SF Isaac Okoro (Signed)
LOSS: PG Lonzo Ball (Traded to Cleveland)
Grade: C

The Bulls have seemed to be in NBA purgatory ever since the great Billy Donovan took the helm in 2020. 31-41, 46-36, 40-42, 39-43, and 39-43 have been their records since he has taken over, it’s pretty crazy how painfully average they have been. What has remained the same is Nikola Vucevic as the frontcourt centerpiece, and now he will enter the year as the star of the team on an expiring contract. Matas Buzelis is coming off a good rookie season, and Josh Giddey showed some glimpses of all-star potential in his first year in Chicago. Coby White’s scoring ability has gotten more consistent as well, as he’ll become the team’s go-to perimeter scorer.

Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter were all brought in at the deadline and will look to have important veteran roles off the bench for the team. Rookie wing Noa Essengue will be a bit of a project, but has potential to become an All-Defensive type forward. Again, it’s tough to predict them being any better than average, in the East that has stayed the same while they did as well. Nothing new excites me, and I think it’ll be another irrelevant year in Chicago.

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Cleveland Cavaliers

HC: Kenny Atkinson
2nd year as Cavaliers HC, 6th year as a HC (prev: BKN ’16-’20)
Career record: 182-208, Cavaliers record: 64-18, Career Playoff record: 6-8 – AGE: 58

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#31	Jarrett Allen	6’9 | 243 lbs Texas | Age: 27	13.5 pts, 9.7 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.9 blk 70.6% FG
PF/C	#4	Evan Mobley	6’11 | 215 lbs USC | Age: 24	18.5 pts, 9.3 reb, 3.2 ast, 1.6 blk 55.7% FG, 37% 3P
SF	#12	De’Andre Hunter	6’8 | 221 lbs Virginia | Age: 27	17 pts, 4 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.8 stl 47% FG, 40.5% 3P – (ATL/CLE)
SG	#45	Donovan Mitchell	6’3 | 215 lbs Louisville | Age: 29	24 pts, 5 ast, 4.5 reb, 1.3 stl 44.3% FG, 36.8% 3P
PG	#10	Darius Garland*	6’1 | 192 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 25	20.6 pts, 6.7 ast, 2.9 reb, 1.2 stl 47.2% FG, 40.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#1	Max Strus**	6’5 | 215 lbs DePaul | Age: 29	9.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.2 ast, 0.5 stl 44.2% FG, 38.6% 3P
PG	#2	Lonzo Ball	6’6 | 190 lbs UCLA | Age: 27	7.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.3 stl 36.6% FG, 34.4% 3P – (CHI)
F	#22	Larry Nance Jr.	6’8 | 245 lbs Wyoming | Age: 32	8.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.8 stl 51.6% FG, 44.7% 3P – (ATL)
F	#32	Dean Wade	6’9 | 228 lbs Kansas State | Age: 28	5.4 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.7 stl 41.3% FG, 36% 3P
SG	#5	Sam Merrill	6’4 | 205 lbs Utah State | Age: 29	7.2 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 40.6% FG, 37.2% 3P
SF	#20	Jaylon Tyson	6’6 | 215 lbs California | Age: 22	3.6 pts, 2 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 43% FG, 34.5% 3P
G	#24	Tyrese Proctor (R)	6’5 | 183 lbs Duke | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 49th overall by CLE
G	#9	Craig Porter Jr.	6’2 | 176 lbs Wichita State | Age: 25	3.7 pts, 1.4 ast, 1.3 reb, 0.3 stl 51.4% FG, 43.8% 3P
C	#3	Thomas Bryant	6’10 | 248 lbs Indiana | Age: 28	6.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.6 blk 50.8% FG, 32.4% 3P – (MIA/IND)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#33	Luke Travers	6’7 | 207 lbs Australia | Age: 24	12 GP, 1 pts, 1.7 reb, 0.7 ast 25% FG
F	#30	Nae’Qwan Tomlin	6’9 | 210 lbs Memphis | Age: 24	5 GP, 7.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 0.4 ast 40.6% FG, 20% 3P

*Darius Garland has a toe injury and may miss the first few games
**Max Strus had foot surgery and may return in December

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 58-24, 2nd in East
MVP: SG Donovan Mitchell
X-Factor: PG Darius Garland
ADD: PG Lonzo Ball (Traded from Chicago)
LOSS: PG Ty Jerome (Signed with Memphis)
Grade: B+

The Cavs dominated all 2024-25, ending with the best record in the East. But in typical Donovan Mitchell fashion, the team failed to make it past the 2nd round, raising a ton of concerns about this squad. Sure, it’ll be more wide open without the Pacers and Celtics being powerhouses, but this team still feels a step below the Knicks and Bucks. The starting 5 all remain the same, a core that shined with their All-Defensive bigs and scoring guards. Losing Ty Jerome will be huge for the bench, but both Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. were added to give them veteran minutes.

The key is what we will get out of Darius Garland as a supporting piece, will he stay healthy and become a dynamic duo alongside Spida? It’s yet to be seen, but regardless this team still looks tough and Kenny Atkinson has brought in a winning culture that J.B. Bickerstaff just couldn’t reach in his tenure. D-Mitch will get over the hump, and this season could be the ideal time to do it. One or two pieces may need to be added at the deadline though, giving them more star power on offense to compete with the Knicks and Bucks.

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Detroit Pistons

HC: J.B. Bickerstaff
2nd year as Pistons HC, 10th year as a HC (prev: MEM ’17-’19, CLE ’20-’24)
Career record: 299-328, Pistons record: 44-38, Career Playoff record: 9-19 – AGE: 46

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#0	Jalen Duren	6’10 | 250 lbs Memphis | Age: 21	11.8 pts, 10.3 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.1 blk 69.2% FG
F	#12	Tobias Harris	6’8 | 226 lbs Tennessee | Age: 33	13.7 pts, 5.9 reb, 2.2 ast, 1 stl 47.7% FG, 34.5% 3P
SF	#9	Ausar Thompson	6’6 | 205 lbs Overtime Elite | Age: 22	10.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.7 stl 53.5% FG, 22.4% 3P
G	#23	Jaden Ivey*	6’4 | 195 lbs Purdue | Age: 23	17.6 pts, 4.1 reb, 4 ast, 0.9 stl 46% FG, 40.9% 3P
PG	#2	Cade Cunningham	6’6 | 220 lbs Oklahoma State | Age: 24	26.1 pts, 9.1 ast, 6.1 reb, 1 stl 46.9% FG, 35.6% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#8	Caris LeVert	6’6 | 205 lbs Michigan | Age: 31	12.1 pts, 3.4 ast, 3.2 reb, 0.9 stl 46.7% FG, 37.3% 3P – (CLE)
PF/C	#28	Isaiah Stewart	6’8 | 250 lbs Washington | Age: 24	6 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.4 blk 55.9% FG, 32.1% 3P
F	#5	Ron Holland II	6’8 | 206 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 20	6.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 stl 47.4% FG, 23.8% 3P
F	#55	Duncan Robinson	6’7 | 215 lbs Michigan | Age: 31	11 pts, 2.4 ast, 2.3 reb, 0.5 stl 43.7% FG, 39.3% 3P – (MIA)
PG	#25	Marcus Sasser	6’2 | 195 lbs Houston | Age: 25	6.6 pts, 2.3 ast, 1.2 reb, 0.6 stl 46.3% FG, 38.2% 3P
PF/C	#7	Paul Reed	6’9 | 210 lbs DePaul | Age: 26	4.1 pts, 2.7 reb, 1 ast, 0.9 stl 50.7% FG, 28.6% 3P
G	#20	Chaz Lanier (R)	6’4 | 199 lbs Tennessee | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 37th overall by DET
F	#34	Bobi Klintman	6’9 | 225 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 22	8 GP, 1.9 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.9 ast 60% FG, 40% 3P
SG	#31	Javonte Green	6’5 | 205 lbs Radford | Age: 32	5.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1 stl, 0.8 ast 42.9% FG, 32.6% 3P – (NOP/CLE)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#00	Colby Jones	6’6 | 207 lbs Xavier | Age: 23	4 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.7 stl 45.7% FG, 32.7% 3P – (SAC/WSH)
PG	#24	Daniss Jenkins	6’3 | 165 lbs St. John’s | Age: 24	7 GP, 1 pts, 0.4 ast, 0.3 reb 30% FG, 14.3% 3P
F	#35	Tolu Smith	6’11 | 245 lbs Mississippi State | Age: 25	1 GP, 14 pts, 8 reb, 66.7% FG

*Jaden Ivey had knee surgery and may return in December

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 49-33, 5th in East
MVP: PG Cade Cunningham
X-Factor: SG Jaden Ivey
ADD: SG Caris LeVert (Signed)
LOSS: SG Malik Beasley (Free Agent)
Grade: B

The Pistons were one of the surprise teams of last season, after coming off of a year where they were at the bottom of the league and scraping the barrel just to get by. We saw the first fully healthy season from Cade Cunningham, and he became an all-star and the franchise centerpiece in doing so. A couple of other former top picks also made their names in breakout years, with Jaden Ivey averaging nearly 20 ppg before injury, and Ausar Thompson becoming one of the best defensive wings in the entire league. Now, this mix of youth and veterans will look to make a run in a wide open Eastern Conference.

Veteran scorers Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson were added to fill the holes that Dennis Schroder and Malik Beasley leave behind on the bench. My most anticipated parts of this Pistons team is seeing how they follow up a year that they were well above expectations. You can truly learn the value of a young core based on if they can keep consistent with winning. Cade needs to stay healthy, Ausar needs to be an All-Defensive selection, and Duren and Stewart need to keep dominating the paint. I’m excited to see how far this core can go.

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Indiana Pacers

HC: Rick Carlisle
5th year as Pacers HC (2nd stint), 24th year as a HC (prev: DET ’01-’03, IND ’03-’07, DAL ’08-’21)
Career record: 993-860, Pacers record: 157-171, Career Playoff record: 86-87 – AGE: 66

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#22	Isaiah Jackson	6’9 | 205 lbs Kentucky | Age: 23	5 GP, 7 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.6 blk 60.9% FG
PF	#43	Pascal Siakam	6’8 | 245 lbs New Mexico State | Age: 31	20.2 pts, 6.9 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.9 stl 51.9% FG, 38.9% 3P
SF	#23	Aaron Nesmith	6’6 | 215 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 25	12 pts, 4 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.8 stl 50.7% FG, 43.1% 3P
SG	#00	Bennedict Mathurin	6’5 | 210 lbs Arizona | Age: 23	16.1 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.7 stl 45.8% FG, 34% 3P
PG	#2	Andrew Nembhard	6’4 | 191 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 25	10 pts, 5 ast, 3.3 reb, 1.2 stl 45.8% FG, 29.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PG	#9	T.J. McConnell*	6’1 | 190 lbs Arizona | Age: 33	9.1 pts, 4.4 ast, 2.4 reb, 1.1 stl 51.9% FG, 30.6% 3P
F	#1	Obi Toppin	6’9 | 220 lbs Dayton | Age: 27	10.5 pts, 4 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.6 stl 52.9% FG, 36.5% 3P
SG	#26	Ben Sheppard	6’6 | 190 lbs Belmont | Age: 24	5.3 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl 41.8% FG, 34.2% 3P
C	#32	Jay Huff	7’1 | 240 lbs Virginia | Age: 28	6.9 pts, 2 reb, 0.9 blk, 0.6 ast 51.5% FG, 40.5% 3P – (MEM)
F	#12	Johnny Furphy	6’7 | 195 lbs Kansas | Age: 20	2.1 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.4 stl 38% FG, 30% 3P
SG	#7	Kam Jones (R)	6’5 | 200 lbs Marquette | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 38th overall by SAS
PF	#5	Jarace Walker	6’7 | 235 lbs Houston | Age: 22	6.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 47.2% FG, 40.5% 3P
C	#11	James Wiseman	6’11 | 240 lbs Memphis | Age: 24	1 GP, 6 pts, 1 reb
PG	#0	Tyrese Haliburton** (I)	6’5 | 185 lbs Iowa State | Age: 25	18.6 pts, 9.2 ast, 3.5 reb, 1.4 stl 47.3% FG, 38.8% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#29	Quenton Jackson	6’5 | 180 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 27	5.8 pts, 1.9 ast, 1.6 reb, 0.8 stl 47.5% FG, 37.5% 3P
PG	#10	RayJ Dennis	6’2 | 180 lbs Baylor | Age: 24	11 GP, 2.7 pts, 1.3 ast, 1.1 reb 33.3% FG, 28.6% 3P
G	#4	Taelon Peter (R)	6’4 | 185 lbs Liberty | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 54th overall by IND

*T.J. McConnell has a hamstring injury and may return in November
**Tyrese Haliburton has a torn achilles and will miss the entire season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 43-39, 7th in East
MVP: PG Tyrese Haliburton
X-Factor: SG Bennedict Mathurin
ADD: C Jay Huff (Traded from Memphis)
LOSS: C Myles Turner (Signed with Milwaukee)
Grade: B

The Pacers’ dominance over the past two seasons have been nothing short of spectacular, but two big reasons will stand in the way of returning to the NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton will likely miss the entire season due to the torn achilles he suffered in the Finals, while Myles Turner left in free agency to the rival Milwaukee Bucks. These are two monstrous blows, losing arguably their two best overall players. The keys lie in the hands of Pascal Siakam who will become the go-to scorer for Indiana this season.

Andrew Nembhard broke out in the playoffs and will step in as the starting PG for Haliburton. Isaiah Jackson will also be returning from a season that he missed all but 5 games, and may be the starting C off the bat. Bennedict Mathurin is the true X-Factor, a talented two-way wing that had a great regular season last year, but was nowhere to be found during the playoffs. So much so that Rick Carlisle pulled him from the lineup completely. He likely will be the starting SG, at least to start the year, and may need to be the secondary scoring option behind Siakam. T.J. McConnell will lead the bench once again, and a couple of former first round picks in Johnny Furphy and Jarace Walker will likely have much bigger roles this year. There’s a lot of “what if’s” with this team, but I think they will still be a 6-8 seed in the East. Where they go from there remains unknown.

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Milwaukee Bucks

HC: Doc Rivers
3rd year as Bucks HC, 27th year as a HC (prev: ORL ’99-’03, BOS ’04-’13, LAC ’13-’20, PHI ’20-’23)
Career record: 1,162-816, Bucks record: 65-53, Career Playoff record: 114-112 – AGE: 64

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#3	Myles Turner	6’11 | 250 lbs Texas | Age: 29	15.6 pts, 6.5 reb, 2 blk, 1.5 ast 48.1% FG, 39.6% 3P – (IND)
PF	#34	Giannis Antetokounmpo	6’11 | 243 lbs Greece | Age: 30	30.4 pts, 11.9 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.2 blk 60.1% FG, 22.2% 3P
F	#0	Kyle Kuzma	6’9 | 221 lbs Utah | Age: 30	14.8 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.6 stl 43.6% FG, 30.7% 3P – (WSH/MIL)
G	#44	Andre Jackson Jr.	6’6 | 209 lbs UConn | Age: 23	3.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 47.7% FG, 39.5% 3P
G	#7	Kevin Porter Jr.	6’4 | 203 lbs USC | Age: 25	10.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.1 stl 44.9% FG, 31.1% 3P – (LAC/MIL)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#9	Bobby Portis	6’10 | 250 lbs Arkansas | Age: 30	13.9 pts, 8.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.7 stl 46.6% FG, 36.5% 3P
SG	#5	Gary Trent Jr.	6’5 | 204 lbs Duke | Age: 26	11.1 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 1 stl 43.1% FG, 41.6% 3P
F	#12	Taurean Prince	6’6 | 218 lbs Baylor | Age: 31	8.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.9 ast, 1 stl 45.7% FG, 43.9% 3P
PG	#50	Cole Anthony	6’2 | 185 lbs North Carolina | Age: 25	9.4 pts, 3 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.7 stl 42.4% FG, 35.3% 3P – (ORL)
G	#13	Ryan Rollins	6’3 | 180 lbs Toledo | Age: 23	6.2 pts, 1.9 ast, 1.9 reb, 0.8 stl 48.7% FG, 40.8% 3P
SG/SF	#17	Amir Coffey	6’7 | 210 lbs Minnesota | Age: 28	9.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 47.1% FG, 40.9% 3P – (LAC)
SG	#11	Gary Harris	6’4 | 210 lbs Michigan State | Age: 31	3 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.5 stl 38.3% FG, 35.6% 3P – (ORL)
SG	#20	A.J. Green	6’4 | 190 lbs Northern Iowa | Age: 26	7.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.5 stl 42.9% FG, 42.7% 3P
C	#00	Jericho Sims	6’10 | 250 lbs Texas | Age: 26	1.8 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.4 blk 63.4% FG – (NYK/MIL)
SF	#43	Thanasis Antetokounmpo	6’7 | 219 lbs Greece | Age: 33	DNP – Free Agent/Torn Achilles

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
F	#35	Pete Nance	6’10 | 220 lbs North Carolina | Age: 25	13 GP, 2.9 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.8 ast 43.8% FG, 37.5% 3P – (PHI/MIL)
PG	#19	Mark Sears (R)	6’1 | 185 lbs Alabama | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2025
F	#29	Alex Antetokounmpo (R)	6’8 | 214 lbs Greece | Age: 24	DNP – Played in Greece

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 50-32, 4th in East
MVP: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
X-Factor: PG Cole Anthony
ADD: C Myles Turner (Signed)
LOSS: C Brook Lopez (Signed with LA Clippers)
Grade: B+

Ever since winning the Finals in 2021, Milwaukee has not been able to stay relevant come playoff time. And as their generational franchise star Giannis grows older, the clock is ticking on his patience with the franchise. So much so, that according to rumors, he was shopped around after expressing interest in wanting to join the Knicks if he left the Bucks. Regardless, he’s still a Buck, and they have a golden chance to make noise in the wide open East this year. It’s truly a make or break year for their future with Giannis and being competitive.

Damian Lillard was let go after suffering an injury that will sideline him for all of this season. With deciding that the Dame experiment is over after just two seasons, Myles Turner was signed to bolster up their defense in the paint, replacing Brook Lopez. Kuzma, Trent, Portis, and Prince all remain as the veteran depth, with Andre Jackson Jr. likely starting in the backcourt. Cole Anthony was also added after being traded for, and dumped, by the Grizzlies this offseason. This is a solid team, but I’m not sure how much I like them to truly make a run. I see them as a good regular season squad that doesn’t have enough steam to make it far in the playoffs. What that will mean for Giannis’ future remains to be seen.

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Atlanta Hawks

HC: Quin Snyder
4th year as Hawks HC, 12th year as a HC (prev: UTA ’14-’22)
Career record: 458-363, Hawks record: 86-99, Career Playoff record: 23-34 – AGE: 59

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#8	Kristaps Porzingis	7’2 | 240 lbs Latvia | Age: 30	19.5 pts, 6.8 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.5 blk 48.3% FG, 41.2% 3P – (BOS)
PF	#10	Zaccharie Risacher	6’8 | 200 lbs France | Age: 20	12.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.7 stl 45.8% FG, 35.5% 3P
F	#1	Jalen Johnson	6’8 | 219 lbs Duke | Age: 23	18.9 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 1.6 stl 50% FG, 31.2% 3P
G	#5	Dyson Daniels	6’7 | 199 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 22	14.1 pts, 5.9 reb, 4.4 ast, 3 stl 49.3% FG, 34% 3P
PG	#11	Trae Young	6’1 | 164 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 27	24.2 pts, 11.6 ast, 3.1 reb, 1.2 stl 41.1% FG, 34% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#17	Onyeka Okongwu	6’10 | 240 lbs USC | Age: 24	13.4 pts, 8.9 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.9 blk 56.7% FG, 32.4% 3P
G	#7	Nickeil Alexander-Walker	6’5 | 205 lbs Virginia Tech | Age: 27	9.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.7 ast, 0.6 stl 43.8% FG, 38.1% 3P – (MIN)
SG	#3	Luke Kennard	6’5 | 206 lbs Duke | Age: 29	8.9 pts, 3.3 ast, 2.8 reb, 0.8 stl 47.8% FG, 43.3% 3P – (MEM)
PF	#14	Asa Newell (R)	6’11 | 220 lbs Georgia | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 23rd overall by NOP
G	#2	Keaton Wallace	6’3 | 185 lbs UTSA | Age: 26	5.4 pts, 2.6 ast, 1.6 reb, 0.9 stl 40.1% FG, 32.9% 3P
G/SF	#27	Vít Krejčí	6’8 | 195 lbs Czech | Age: 25	7.2 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 0.6 stl 49.7% FG, 43.7% 3P
SF	#22	Nikola Djurišić (R)	6’7 | 209 lbs Serbia | Age: 21	DNP – Played in G-League
C	#12	N’Faly Dante	6’11 | 230 lbs Oregon | Age: 23	4 GP, 6 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.3 blk 76.9% FG – (HOU)
PF/C	#18	Mouhamed Gueye	6’10 | 210 lbs Washington State | Age: 22	6 pts, 4.2 reb, 1 blk, 0.8 stl 42.1% FG, 25.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
F	#0	Jacob Toppin	6’8 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 25	17 GP, 1.4 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.4 ast 40.9% FG, 50% 3P – (NYK/ATL)
SG/SF	#33	Caleb Houstan	6’8 | 205 lbs Michigan | Age: 22	4.1 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.4 stl 42.1% FG, 40% 3P – (ORL)
F	#30	Eli N’Diaye (R)	6’8 | 209 lbs Senegal | Age: 21	UNDRAFTED in 2025

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 47-35, 6th in East
MVP: PG Trae Young
X-Factor: PF Zaccharie Risacher
ADD: C Kristaps Porzingis (Traded from Boston)
LOSS: SG Caris LeVert (Signed with Detroit)
Grade: B-

The Hawks are one of my favorite teams to take a big leap in the wide open East this year, and there’s a few reasons why. First, it finally seems like they have some scoring options outside of Trae Young after adding Kristaps Porzingis this offseason. Jalen Johnson and a second year of Zaccharie Risacher should give them a scary frontcourt that can dominate the East. Secondly, their defense has become a lot better, as Dyson Daniels makes up mightily for what Young lacks on the defensive end. Turning into an All-Defensive player last year, Daniels is one of the league’s best on-ball defenders.

They also have a much more formidable bench after signing both Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. Asa Newell was their lottery pick, an athletic four that has the skillset to become a good offensive player in the league. Led by Quin Snyder who is eager to flip the script on his history of being a great regular season coach but always falling short in the playoffs. I like the Hawks to make it into the top 6 and avoid the play-in this year. If fully healthy, they can be a surprise surge in the conference.

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Charlotte Hornets

HC: Charles Lee
2nd year
Career/Team record: 19-63 – AGE: 41

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#22	Mason Plumlee	6’10 | 254 lbs Duke | Age: 35	4.5 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.6 blk 61.9% FG – (PHX)
SF	#0	Miles Bridges	6’7 | 225 lbs Michigan State | Age: 27	20.3 pts, 7.5 reb, 3.9 ast, 0.7 stl 43.1% FG, 31.3% 3P
SF	#24	Brandon Miller	6’7 | 200 lbs Alabama | Age: 22	21 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.1 stl 40.3% FG, 35.5% 3P
SG/SF	#7	Kon Knueppel (R)	6’7 | 217 lbs Duke | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 4th overall by CHA
PG	#1	LaMelo Ball	6’7 | 180 lbs USA | Age: 24	25.2 pts, 7.4 ast, 4.9 reb, 1.1 stl 40.5% FG, 33.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#8	Collin Sexton	6’3 | 190 lbs Alabama | Age: 26	18.4 pts, 4.2 ast, 2.7 reb, 0.7 stl 48% FG, 40.6% 3P – (UTA)
G	#23	Tre Mann	6’3 | 178 lbs Florida | Age: 24	13 GP, 14.1 pts, 3 ast, 2.9 reb 43.5% FG, 40% 3P
C	#11	Ryan Kalkbrenner (R)	7’1 | 270 lbs Creighton | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 34th overall by CHA
F	#31	Tidjane Salaun	6’8 | 207 lbs France | Age: 30	5.9 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 33% FG, 28.3% 3P
PF/C	#14	Moussa Diabaté	6’9 | 210 lbs Michigan | Age: 23	5.7 pts, 6.2 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.6 blk 59.6% FG
SF	#33	Liam McNeeley (R)	6’7 | 210 lbs UConn | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 29th overall by PHX
SG	#21	Pat Connaughton	6’5 | 209 lbs Notre Dame | Age: 32	5.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.3 blk 46.9% FG, 32.1% 3P – (MIL)
SG/SF	#4	Sion James (R)	6’6 | 220 lbs Duke | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 33rd overall by CHA
PF	#2	Grant Williams* (I)	6’6 | 236 lbs Tennessee | Age: 26	16 GP, 10.4 pts, 5.1 reb, 2.3 ast 43.9% FG, 36.5% 3P
SG	#10	Josh Green** (I)	6’5 | 200 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	7.4 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.1 stl 42.8% FG, 39.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PG	#25	K.J. Simpson	6’0 | 189 lbs Colorado | Age: 23	7.8 pts, 3.1 ast, 3 reb, 0.9 stl 34.6% FG, 25.4% 3P
F	#13	Drew Peterson	6’9 | 205 lbs USC | Age: 25	2.2 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.2 stl 41.5% FG, 39.4% 3P – (BOS)
G	#12	Antonio Reeves	6’5 | 205 lbs Kentucky | Age: 24	6.9 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.5 stl 45.6% FG, 39.4% 3P – (NOP)

*Grant Williams is rehabbing a torn ACL and may return by end of season
**Josh Green had shoulder surgery and will miss the first few months

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 31-51, 12th in East
MVP: PG LaMelo Ball
X-Factor: PG LaMelo Ball
ADD: SG/SF Kon Knueppel (Rookie)
LOSS: C Jusuf Nurkić (Traded to Utah)
Grade: D+

Another team that I think can take some steps from their 19-win season a year ago is Charlotte, who has stock-piled a ton of top picks and will finally see if they can all work well together. Kon Knueppel was taken as the fourth pick, a wing that is poised to be as close to a sure thing as a two-way role player that this draft has. He’ll make up for Ball’s lack of intensity on the defensive end, and can play 1-3 if injuries arise. Ryan Kalkbrenner is another rookie who I can see getting big minutes this year, as a defensive powerhouse at center. He can block shots and protect the paint with the best of them, and is definitely something the team has been lacking.

Two key players will miss some extended time this season with Grant Williams and Josh Green both sidelined for the majority of the year. This gives a golden opportunity for some of the young pieces to prove their worth and develop into full-time rotation pieces. The key will be what version of LaMelo Ball this team gets. Will we have a 20-game ball hogging season or can he stay relatively healthy and keep his head on straight for the better of the team. There are many more pieces around him so he will not need to be the only scoring option. Regardless, this is still a team that, at best, is a back end play-in team.

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Miami Heat

HC: Erik Spoelstra
18th year
Career/Team record: 787-572, Career Playoff record: 110-83 – AGE: 55

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#13	Bam Adebayo	6’9 | 255 lbs Kentucky | Age: 28	18.1 pts, 9.6 reb, 4.3 ast, 1.3 stl 48.5% FG, 35.7% 3P
F	#5	Nikola Jović	6’10 | 205 lbs Serbia | Age: 22	10.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.8 stl 45.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
SF	#22	Andrew Wiggins	6’7 | 197 lbs Kansas | Age: 30	18 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.6 ast, 1 stl 44.8% FG, 37.4% 3P – (GSW/MIA)
SG	#24	Norman Powell	6’4 | 215 lbs UCLA | Age: 32	21.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.2 stl 48.4% FG, 41.8% 3P – (LAC)
PG	#14	Tyler Herro*	6’5 | 195 lbs Kentucky | Age: 25	23.9 pts, 5.5 ast, 5.2 reb, 0.9 stl 47.2% FG, 37.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#2	Terry Rozier	6’1 | 190 lbs Louisville | Age: 31	10.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 0.6 stl 39.1% FG, 29.5% 3P
C	#7	Kel’el Ware	7’0 | 230 lbs Indiana | Age: 21	9.3 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.1 blk, 0.9 ast 55.4% FG, 31.5% 3P
SG/SF	#11	Jaime Jaquez Jr.	6’6 | 225 lbs UCLA | Age: 24	8.6 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.5 ast, 0.9 stl 46.1% FG, 31.1% 3P
PG	#45	Davion Mitchell	6’0 | 202 lbs Baylor | Age: 27	7.9 pts, 4.9 ast, 2.3 reb, 1 stl 46.8% FG, 39.8% 3P – (TOR/MIA)
PG	#25	Kasparas Jakučionis (R)	6’6 | 200 lbs Illinois | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 20th overall by MIA
SF	#0	Simone Fontecchio	6’7 | 209 lbs Italy | Age: 29	5.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.4 stl 40.2% FG, 33.5% 3P – (DET)
G	#12	Dru Smith	6’2 | 203 lbs Missouri | Age: 27	14 GP, 6.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.5 stl 50.8% FG, 53.3% 3P
SG/SF	#9	Pelle Larsson	6’5 | 215 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	4.6 pts, 1.7 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.6 stl 43.8% FG, 33.7% 3P
F	#16	Keshad Johnson	6’7 | 225 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	16 GP, 2.7 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.3 ast 69.2% FG, 42.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#50	Vladislav Goldin (R)	7’1 | 250 lbs Michigan | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2025
SF	#15	Myron Gardner (R)	6’6 | 220 lbs UALR | Age: 24	DNP – Played in G-League
G	#17	Jahmir Young	6’1 | 185 lbs Maryland | Age: 25	6 GP, 1.8 pts, 1 ast, 0.5 reb 80% FG, 50% 3P – (CHI)

*Tyler Herro has an ankle injury and may return in December

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 35-47, 11th in East
MVP: PG Tyler Herro
X-Factor: C Bam Adebayo
ADD: SG Norman Powell (Traded from LA Clippers)
LOSS: SF Duncan Robinson (Traded to Detroit)
Grade: C+

The Heat came off one of their worst seasons in recent memory by not only missing the playoffs but also losing their star cornerstone midway through the year. Jimmy Butler’s frustration grew to be enough, as they dealt him to Golden State and got Anthony Wiggins back in return. The leader that led them to two Finals appearances is now gone and leaves a gaping whole in the offense. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo become the leaders, two guys that are very solid 2nd or 3rd options on a championship team. Norman Powell was also added via trade and should create a secondary scoring option around Herro.

Young guys who have shown progression in Nikola Jovic, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez will now have big opportunities to become key players for this team. Overall this team has a solid mix and it’s difficult to tell how good they can actually be. At first glance, they seem like a team just outside of the playoff discussion, but that can quickly turn if their Hall-of-Fame Head Coach can figure out how to steer this core. Regardless, the days of Miami being atop of the East are gone for now.

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Orlando Magic

HC: Jamahl Mosley
5th year
Career/Team record: 144-184, Career Playoff record: 4-8 – AGE: 47

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#34	Wendell Carter Jr.	6’10 | 270 lbs Duke | Age: 26	9.1 pts, 7.2 reb, 2 ast, 0.8 stl 46% FG, 23.4% 3P
PF	#5	Paolo Banchero	6’10 | 250 lbs Duke | Age: 22	25.9 pts, 7.5 reb, 4.8 ast, 0.8 stl 45.2% FG, 32% 3P
F	#22	Franz Wagner	6’10 | 220 lbs Michigan | Age: 24	24.2 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.7 ast, 1.3 stl 46.3% FG, 29.5% 3P
SG/SF	#3	Desmond Bane	6’5 | 215 lbs TCU | Age: 27	19.2 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.3 ast, 1.2 stl 48.4% FG, 39.2% 3P – (MEM)
G	#4	Jalen Suggs	6’5 | 205 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 24	16.2 pts, 4 reb, 3.7 ast, 1.5 stl 41% FG, 31.4% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#0	Anthony Black	6’7 | 200 lbs Arkansas | Age: 21	9.4 pts, 3.1 ast, 2.9 reb, 1.1 stl 42.3% FG, 31.8% 3P
F	#23	Tristan da Silva	6’8 | 217 lbs Colorado | Age: 24	7.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.4 stl 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3P
PG	#2	Tyus Jones	6’1 | 196 lbs Duke | Age: 29	10.2 pts, 5.3 ast, 2.4 reb, 0.9 stl 44.8% FG, 41.4% 3P – (PHX)
C	#35	Goga Bitadze	6’10 | 250 lbs Georgia (Cty) | Age: 26	7.2 pts, 6.6 reb, 2 ast, 1.4 blk 61.1% FG
F	#1	Jonathan Isaac	6’10 | 230 lbs Florida State | Age: 28	5.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 1.1 blk, 0.9 stl 41.4% FG, 25.8% 3P
G	#11	Jase Richardson (R)	6’3 | 195 lbs Michigan State | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 25th overall by ORL
C	#21	Moritz Wagner*	6’11 | 245 lbs Michigan | Age: 28	12.9 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.8 stl 56.2% FG, 36% 3P
SG/SF	#13	Jett Howard	6’6 | 215 lbs Michigan | Age: 22	4.5 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.2 stl 37.4% FG, 29.6% 3P
SF	#93	Noah Penda (R)	6’7 | 198 lbs France | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 32nd overall by BOS

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#8	Jamal Cain	6’6 | 191 lbs Oakland | Age: 26	5.3 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.6 stl 43% FG, 32.5% 3P – (NOP)
C	#7	Orlando Robinson	6’10 | 235 lbs Fresno State | Age: 25	6.9 pts, 5 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.4 blk 44.4% FG, 32.7% 3P – (SAC/TOR)
C	#14	Colin Castleton	6’10 | 250 lbs Florida | Age: 25	4.7 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.4 blk 46.9% FG – (MEM/TOR/PHI)

*Moritz Wagner continues to rehab a torn ACL and may return in a month

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 55-27, 3rd in East
MVP: PF Paolo Banchero
X-Factor: G Jalen Suggs
ADD: SG/SF Desmond Bane (Traded from Memphis)
LOSS: SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Traded to Memphis)
Grade: B+

The Magic have been clearly one of the league’s up-and-coming teams over the past two seasons, and things got even more intense this offseason. In a blockbuster move, they acquired star wing Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies for KCP and several draft picks. This move gives them an elite scoring option to surround Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. There was no doubt the team needed a top scoring option and Bane also brings elite defense to the table as well. Jalen Suggs will now be looked at as the full-time starting PG, and will not need to have as a big of a role on the offensive end.

The bench will be led by former lottery pick Anthony Black, who stepped up big time a year ago as a backup PG. Tristan da Silva, Tyus Jones, and Moritz Wagner will also provide more scoring off the bench, while Jonathan Isaac, Goga Bitadze, and rookie Jase Richardson lead the defensive end. This team is an all-around solid core with the depth and versatility to make a deep run in the East. I really like Orlando’s odds to not only be a top seed in the East but also make a deep run in the playoffs.

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Washington Wizards

HC: Brian Keefe
3rd year
Career/Team record: 26-95 – AGE: 49

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#20	Alex Sarr	7’0 | 205 lbs Australia | Age: 20	13 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.5 blk 39.4% FG, 30.8% 3P
G/SF	#0	Bilal Coulibaly*	6’8 | 195 lbs France | Age: 21	12.3 pts, 5 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.3 stl 42.1% FG, 28.1% 3P
SF	#32	Khris Middleton	6’7 | 222 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 34	11.9 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.7 reb, 0.9 stl 47.5% FG, 36.1% 3P – (MIL)
G	#3	C.J. McCollum	6’3 | 190 lbs Lehigh | Age: 34	21.1 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.8 reb, 0.8 stl 44.4% FG, 37.3% 3P – (NOP)
G	#7	Bub Carrington	6’4 | 190 lbs Pittsburgh | Age: 20	9.8 pts, 4.4 ast, 4.2 reb, 0.7 stl 40.1% FG, 33.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#24	Corey Kispert	6’6 | 224 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 26	11.6 pts, 3 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.4 stl 45.1% FG, 36.4% 3P
SG	#12	Tre Johnson (R)	6’6 | 190 lbs Texas | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 6th overall by WSH
PF/C	#35	Marvin Bagley III	6’10 | 235 lbs Duke | Age: 26	4.4 pts, 2.7 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.3 blk 51.9% FG – (WSH/MEM)
F	#18	Kyshawn George	6’8 | 200 lbs Miami | Age: 21	8.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 1 stl 37.2% FG, 32.2% 3P
SG/SF	#1	Cam Whitmore	6’7 | 230 lbs Villanova | Age: 21	9.4 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 0.6 stl 44.4% FG, 35.5% 3P – (HOU)
SF	#27	Will Riley (R)	6’8 | 180 lbs Illinois | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 21st overall by UTA
SF	#9	Justin Champagnie	6’6 | 206 lbs Pittsburgh | Age: 24	8.8 pts, 5.7 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl 51.1% FG, 38.3% 3P
SG/SF	#8	Malaki Branham	6’4 | 180 lbs Ohio State | Age: 22	5 pts, 1.1 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.2 stl 45.8% FG, 40.5% 3P – (SAS)
PF	#16	Anthony Gill	6’8 | 230 lbs Virginia | Age: 32	2.5 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.2 stl 48.9% FG, 32.3% 3P
G	#4	A.J. Johnson	6’5 | 160 lbs USA | Age: 20	9.1 pts, 3.1 ast, 2.4 reb, 0.5 stl 38.1% FG, 24.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#00	Tristan Vukčević	7’0 | 220 lbs Greece | Age: 22	9.4 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.7 blk 49.6% FG, 37.3% 3P
PG	#13	Sharife Cooper	6’1 | 176 lbs Auburn | Age: 24	DNP – Played in Greece/France
SF	#5	Jamir Watkins (R)	6’7 | 210 lbs Florida State | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 43rd overall by UTA

*Bilal Coulibaly has a thumb injury and will miss the first few weeks of the season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 25-57, 14th in East
MVP: SG C.J. McCollum
X-Factor: SG Tre Johnson
ADD: SG C.J. McCollum (Traded from New Orleans)
LOSS: SG Jordan Poole (Traded to New Orleans)
Grade: D

Rounding out the East we have the Wizards who have been at the bottom of the league over the past several years. After deciding to move on from franchise centerpiece Bradley Beal, the team has run out of steam and is in a deep rebuild. A couple of veterans on expiring contracts remain as throw-ins from previous trades. Former all-star Khris Middleton and C.J. McCollum will start the year as the leaders of the team, with trade deadline moves being highly likely.

The young core seemed to have several upsides last year, with rookies Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, and Bub Carrington all becoming formidable starters for the team. They used their two 1st round picks on Tre Johnson, a potential 20+ ppg scorer and the two-way project wing Will Riley. A couple former first round picks in Cam Whitmore and Malaki Branham were also brought on board and could be in store to play big minutes for them. This team is deep in a rebuild and it’s very tough to see them do much of anything this year. Although they aren’t lacking young potential, it is yet to be seen if any of their arsenal of young players will become the franchise cornerstone that they’re seeking.

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Denver Nuggets

HC: David Adelman
2nd year
Career/Team record: 3-3, Career Playoff record: 7-7 – AGE: 44

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#15	Nikola Jokić	6’11 | 284 lbs Serbia | Age: 30	29.6 pts, 12.7 reb, 10.2 ast, 1.8 stl 57.6% FG, 41.7% 3P
PF	#32	Aaron Gordon	6’8 | 235 lbs Arizona | Age: 30	14.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 3.2 ast, 0.5 stl 53.1% FG, 43.6% 3P
F	#23	Cameron Johnson	6’8 | 210 lbs North Carolina | Age: 29	18.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.9 stl 47.5% FG, 39% 3P – (BKN)
SG	#0	Christian Braun	6’6 | 220 lbs Kansas | Age: 24	15.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.1 stl 58% FG, 39.7% 3P
PG	#27	Jamal Murray	6’4 | 215 lbs Kentucky | Age: 28	21.4 pts, 6 ast, 3.9 reb, 1.4 stl 47.4% FG, 39.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#17	Jonas Valančiūnas	6’11 | 265 lbs Lithuania | Age: 33	10.4 pts, 7.7 reb, 2 ast, 0.6 blk 55% FG, 21.6% 3P – (WSH/SAC)
SG/SF	#10	Tim Hardaway Jr.	6’5 | 205 lbs Michigan | Age: 33	11 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.5 stl 40.6% FG, 36.8% 3P – (DET)
F	#8	Peyton Watson	6’7 | 200 lbs UCLA | Age: 23	8.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.4 blk 47.7% FG, 35.3% 3P
SG/SF	#3	Julian Strawther	6’6 | 205 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 23	9 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.6 stl 43.2% FG, 34.9% 3P
SF	#11	Bruce Brown	6’4 | 202 lbs Miami | Age: 29	8.3 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 0.8 stl 42.1% FG, 33.3% 3P – (TOR/NOP)
PF/C	#22	Zeke Nnaji	6’9 | 240 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	3.2 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.7 blk, 0.4 stl 49.6% FG, 32.7% 3P
PF/C	#14	DaRon Holmes II (R)	6’9 | 236 lbs Dayton | Age: 23	DRAFTED in 2024
G	#24	Jalen Pickett	6’2 | 202 lbs Penn State | Age: 25	4.1 pts, 2.2 ast, 1.4 reb, 0.4 stl 42.8% FG, 39.6% 3P
F	#5	Hunter Tyson	6’8 | 215 lbs Clemson | Age: 25	2.6 pts, 1.5 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.2 stl 37.5% FG, 31.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	SPECIAL TEAMS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#21	Spencer Jones	6’7 | 225 lbs Stanford | Age: 24	1.3 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.3 ast, 0.3 stl 32.4% FG
G	#7	Tamar Bates (R)	6’5 | 193 lbs Missouri | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2025
G	#1	Curtis Jones (R)	6’6 | 165 lbs Iowa State | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2025

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 58-24, 1st in West
MVP: C Nikola Jokic
X-Factor: F Cameron Johnson
ADD: SF Cameron Johnson (Traded from Brooklyn)
LOSS: SF Michael Porter Jr. (Traded to Brooklyn)
Grade: A-

2025 seemed to be a bit of a wash for the Nuggets for several reasons, one of them being the shocking midseason firing of long-time Head Coach Michael Malone. There were rumblings about him losing the locker room, especially their 3x MVP Nikola Jokic. Regardless, they still made a solid run and decided to keep interim coach David Adelman for the long run. They did make some moves, trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for a better fit in their frontcourt in Cam Johnson. I think this move will benefit both teams and both players very well, as it seemed MPJ may have needed a fresh start in an offense that is more centered around him.

If it wasn’t for voter fatigue, Jokic would have won his fourth MVP after averaging a triple double last season. It was statistically probably the best season of his career, and it’ll remain to be seen if Denver can win another ring with the clock ticking on their stars effectiveness. A couple of veterans were added to further stock their bench with Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway Jr. added. I think Denver only got better this offseason and the shake ups they made were much needed. Firing Malone is still a head scratcher but you never know what is actually going on in these locker rooms. I can see the Nuggets making it deep and even potentially getting back to the NBA Finals in 2026.

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Minnesota Timberwolves

HC: Chris Finch
6th year
Career/Team record: 209-160, Career Playoff record: 21-21 – AGE: 56

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#27	Rudy Gobert	7’1 | 258 lbs France | Age: 33	12 pts, 10.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.4 blk 66.9% FG
PF	#30	Julius Randle	6’9 | 250 lbs Kentucky | Age: 30	18.7 pts, 7.1 reb, 4.7 ast, 0.7 stl 48.5% FG, 34.4% 3P
F	#3	Jaden McDaniels	6’9 | 185 lbs Washington | Age: 25	12.2 pts, 5.7 reb, 2 ast, 1.3 stl 47.7% FG, 33% 3P
SG/SF	#5	Anthony Edwards	6’4 | 225 lbs Georgia | Age: 24	27.6 pts, 5.7 reb, 4.5 ast, 1.2 stl 44.7% FG, 39.5% 3P
PG	#10	Mike Conley Jr.	6’0 | 175 lbs Ohio State | Age: 38	8.2 pts, 4.5 ast, 2.6 reb, 1.1 stl 40% FG, 41% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#11	Naz Reid	6’9 | 264 lbs LSU | Age: 26	14.2 pts, 6 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.9 blk 46.2% FG, 37.9% 3P
SG	#0	Donte DiVincenzo	6’4 | 203 lbs Villanova | Age: 28	11.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.6 ast, 1.2 stl 42.2% FG, 39.7% 3P
PG	#4	Rob Dillingham	6’3 | 175 lbs Kentucky | Age: 20	4.5 pts, 2 ast, 1 reb, 0.4 stl 44.1% FG, 33.8% 3P
SG/SF	#1	Terrence Shannon Jr.	6’6 | 215 lbs Illinois | Age: 25	4.3 pts, 1.5 reb, 1 ast, 0.2 stl 48.2% FG, 35.5% 3P
G	#8	Bones Hyland	6’2 | 169 lbs VCU | Age: 25	6.2 pts, 1.3 ast, 1 reb, 0.8 stl 39.8% FG, 39% 3P – (LAC/MIN)
C	#19	Joan Beringer (R)	6’11 | 230 lbs France | Age: 18	DRAFTED: 17th overall by MIN
F	#33	Leonard Miller	6’10 | 220 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 21	13 GP, 1.5 pts, 0.8 reb, 0.2 stl 40% FG
SG/SF	#7	Joe Ingles	6’8 | 220 lbs Australia | Age: 38	19 GP, 0.8 pts, 1.2 ast, 0.6 reb 26.1% FG, 20% 3P
G	#22	Jaylen Clark	6’4 | 205 lbs UCLA | Age: 24	4.1 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.9 stl, 0.7 ast 46.7% FG, 43.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG/SF	#9	Johnny Juzang	6’5 | 226 lbs UCLA | Age: 24	8.9 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 42.9% FG, 37.6% 3P – (UTA)
F	#25	Enrique Freeman	6’7 | 225 lbs Akron | Age: 25	2.1 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.4 ast, 0.1 stl 43.2% FG – (POR)
C	#44	Rocco Zikarsky (R)	7’2 | 227 lbs Australia | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 45th overall by CHI

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 48-34, 5th in West
MVP: SG/SF Anthony Edwards
X-Factor: PF Julius Randle
ADD: C Joan Beringer (Rookie)
LOSS: SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Signed with Atlanta)
Grade: B+

The Timberwolves came within striking distance of their first ever NBA Finals appearance and will likely be set up for similar success this year. After dealing KAT before last season, the team played a much more well-rounded offense with Anthony Edwards as their leading focal point. They retain their main core, with veterans Julius Randle, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gobert as the frontline behind their star Ant. Former 6th man of the year Naz Reid was extended and will continue to lead a formidable bench.

Bigger and new roles will be in place for last year’s rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., who I think will be playing 20+ mpg throughout this season. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is going to be a big role to fill for the bench, but I can see these two solid sophomores stepping in nicely as supporting pieces. Minnesota will definitely be at the top of the West once again, and are built to make a tough run at the NBA Finals. The key is going to be what they can get out of Julius Randle as a secondary scorer, as he slotted in well to the role last season.

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Oklahoma City Thunder

HC: Mark Daigneault
6th year
Career/Team record: 211-189, Career Playoff record: 22-11 – AGE: 40

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#55	Isaiah Hartenstein	7’0 | 250 lbs USA | Age: 27	11.2 pts, 10.7 reb, 3.8 ast, 1.1 blk 58.1% FG
PF/C	#7	Chet Holmgren	7’1 | 208 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 23	15 pts, 8 reb, 2.2 blk, 2 ast 49% FG, 37.9% 3P
SF	#5	Luguentz Dort	6’4 | 220 lbs Arizona State | Age: 26	10.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 1.1 stl 43.5% FG, 41.2% 3P
SG/SF	#8	Jalen Williams	6’5 | 211 lbs Santa Clara | Age: 24	21.6 pts, 5.3 reb, 5.1 ast, 1.6 stl 48.4% FG, 36.5% 3P
PG	#2	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	6’6 | 195 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	32.7 pts, 6.4 ast, 5 reb, 1.7 stl 51.9% FG, 37.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#9	Alex Caruso	6’5 | 186 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 31	7.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.6 stl 44.6% FG, 35.3% 3P
SG/SF	#21	Aaron Wiggins	6’5 | 190 lbs Maryland | Age: 26	12 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.8 stl 48.8% FG, 38.3% 3P
PG	#22	Cason Wallace	6’3 | 195 lbs Kentucky | Age: 21	8.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.8 stl 47.4% FG, 35.6% 3P
SG	#11	Isaiah Joe	6’3 | 165 lbs Arkansas | Age: 26	10.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.6 stl 44% FG, 41.2% 3P
PF/C	#6	Jaylin Williams	6’9 | 240 lbs Arkansas | Age: 23	5.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 0.6 blk 43.9% FG, 39.9% 3P
G	#25	Ajay Mitchell	6’5 | 190 lbs UC-Santa Barbara | Age: 23	6.5 pts, 1.9 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.7 stl 49.5% FG, 38.3% 3P
F	#13	Ousmane Dieng	6’9 | 185 lbs France | Age: 22	3.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.5 stl 43.2% FG, 32.4% 3P
PG	#44	Nikola Topić* (R)	6’6 | 200 lbs Serbia | Age: 20	DRAFTED in 2024
C	#12	Thomas Sorber** (I) (R)	6’10 | 255 lbs Georgetown | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 15th overall by OKC
F	#34	Kenrich Williams*** (I)	6’6 | 210 lbs TCU | Age: 30	6.3 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.6 stl 48.3% FG, 38.6% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#15	Branden Carlson	7’0 | 220 lbs Utah | Age: 26	3.8 pts, 1.7 reb, 0.7 blk, 0.4 ast 44.3% FG, 33.3% 3P
SF	#23	Brooks Barnhizer (R)	6’6 | 230 lbs Northwestern | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 44th overall by OKC
G	#3	Chris Youngblood (R)	6’4 | 221 lbs Alabama | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*Nikola Topic had a testicular procedure and may miss the first month
**Thomas Sorber tore his ACL and will miss the entire season
***Kenrich Williams had knee surgery and may return in January

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 54-28, 3rd in West
MVP: PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
X-Factor: C Isaiah Hartenstein
ADD: C Thomas Sorber (Rookie)
LOSS: SF Dillon Jones (Traded to Washington)
Grade: A

In what was pure dominance from beginning to end, the Thunder finished in 1st in the West and ended up winning their first championship since moving to OKC. In the process, SGA won his first MVP averaging nearly 33 ppg. The team just downright dominated all year, led by Mark Daigneualt’s cutthroat defensive mindset and their dominance in depth. Outside of SGA, Alex Caruso was named All-Defensive team, while Lu Dort, Hartenstein, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams all blossomed to a few of the best defenders in the league.

The X-Factor, in my opinion, was the signing of Hartenstein, who brought a bruising low post presence and provided more interior help for Chet Holmgren. Chet is a stud defensively as well, but not having to need him to guard some of the bigger centers in the league proved to be a difference maker. Bench pieces like Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Kenrich Williams all proved to be difference makers, giving the team efficient scoring in the second unit. OKC returns practically everyone this year, and will look to defend their title.

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Portland Trail Blazers

HC: Chauncey Billups
5th year
Career/Team record: 117-211 – AGE: 49

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#23	Donovan Clingan	7’2 | 280 lbs UConn | Age: 21	6.5 pts, 7.9 reb, 1.6 blk, 1.1 ast 53.9% FG, 28.6% 3P
F	#33	Toumani Camara	6’7 | 229 lbs Dayton | Age: 25	11.3 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.5 stl 45.8% FG, 37.5% 3P
F	#9	Jerami Grant	6’7 | 210 lbs Syracuse | Age: 31	14.4 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.1 ast, 1 blk 37.3% FG, 36.5% 3P
G/SF	#8	Deni Avdija	6’9 | 240 lbs Israel | Age: 24	16.9 pts, 7.3 reb, 3.9 ast, 1 stl 47.6% FG, 36.5% 3P
PG	#5	Jrue Holiday	6’4 | 205 lbs UCLA | Age: 35	11.1 pts, 4.3 reb, 3.9 ast, 1.1 stl 44.3% FG, 35.3% 3P – (BOS)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG/SF	#17	Shaedon Sharpe	6’5 | 208 lbs Kentucky | Age: 22	18.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.8 ast, 0.9 stl 45.2% FG, 31.1% 3P
G	#00	Scoot Henderson*	6’3 | 206 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 21	12.7 pts, 5.1 ast, 3 reb, 1 stl 41.9% FG, 35.4% 3P
C	#35	Robert Williams III**	6’9 | 249 lbs Texas A&M | Age: 27	5.8 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.7 blk, 1.1 ast 64.1% FG
SF	#4	Matisse Thybulle	6’5 | 201 lbs Washington | Age: 28	15 GP, 7.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.9 ast 47.7% FG, 43.8% 3P
F	#24	Kris Murray	6’8 | 216 lbs Iowa | Age: 25	4.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 1 ast, 0.5 stl 41.9% FG, 22.5% 3P
PG	#1	Blake Wesley	6’3 | 185 lbs Notre Dame | Age: 22	3.7 pts, 2 ast, 1.1 reb, 0.6 stl 43.5% FG, 29.3% 3P – (SAS)
C	#16	Hansen Yang (R)	7’1 | 260 lbs China | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 16th overall by MEM
G	#21	Rayan Rupert	6’6 | 195 lbs France | Age: 21	3 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.5 ast, 0.3 stl 40.8% FG, 27.1% 3P
PF/C	#26	Duop Reath	6’9 | 245 lbs LSU | Age: 29	4.2 pts, 2 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.3 stl 42.2% FG, 32.1% 3P
PG	#0	Damian Lillard*** (I)	6’2 | 195 lbs Weber State | Age: 35	24.9 pts, 7.1 ast, 4.7 reb, 1.2 stl 44.8% FG, 37.6% 3P – (MIL)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#91	Sidy Cissoko	6’6 | 200 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 21	1.5 pts, 1 reb, 0.7 ast, 0.1 stl 43.3% FG, 23.1% 3P – (SAS/POR)
G	#2	Caleb Love (R)	6’4 | 205 lbs Arizona | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2025
G	#15	Javonte Cooke (R)	6’6 | 185 lbs Winston-Salem St. (D-II) | Age: 26	UNDRAFTED in 2023

*Scoot Henderson has a torn hamstring and may return in November
**Robert Williams continues to rehab knee injuries and may return in November
***Damian Lillard has a torn achilles and will miss the entire season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 35-47, 10th in West
MVP: PG Damian Lillard
X-Factor: C Donovan Clingan
ADD: PG Damian Lillard (Signed)
LOSS: SG Anfernee Simons (Traded to Boston)
Grade: C-

The Blazers have not seemed to get any momentum since entering their rebuild and dishing out franchise stars C.J. and Dame. This caused some speculation around Chauncey Billups’ job in the offseason, but the franchise re-upped him and named him the coach of the future. A few big moves were made, including dealing out Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons, making way for the young guys to have bigger roles. Second-year big man Donovan Clingan should slot in as the starting center, with All-Defensive forward Toumani Camara and veterans Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday, and Deni Avdija.

But, undoubtedly, the team’s biggest move was bringing home Damian Lillard on a 3-year deal after spending the last two in Milwaukee. The best player in franchise history will now look to rehab his torn achilles and likely finish his career in the place he never truly wanted to leave in the first place. I do like this core a lot, with Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson as some of their better young backcourt pieces. They have plenty of potential, and a plethora of top picks from the last few years of tanking. I can see them taking a big step this year, not to be a true playoff contender but rather a play-in tournament team.

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Utah Jazz

HC: Will Hardy
4th year
Career/Team record: 85-161 – AGE: 37

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#24	Walker Kessler	7’0 | 245 lbs Auburn | Age: 24	11.1 pts, 12.2 reb, 2.4 blk, 1.7 ast 66.3% FG
F	#23	Lauri Markkanen	7’0 | 240 lbs Arizona | Age: 28	19 pts, 5.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.7 stl 42.3% FG, 34.6% 3P
SF	#31	Georges Niang*	6’7 | 230 lbs Iowa State | Age: 32	9.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.4 stl 46.1% FG, 40.6% 3P – (CLE/ATL)
G	#3	Keyonte George	6’4 | 185 lbs Baylor | Age: 21	16.8 pts, 5.6 ast, 3.8 reb, 0.7 stl 39.1% FG, 34.3% 3P
PG	#8	Isaiah Collier	6’3 | 210 lbs USC | Age: 21	8.7 pts, 6.3 ast, 3.3 reb, 0.9 stl 42.2% FG, 24.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#30	Jusuf Nurkić	7’0 | 290 lbs Bosnia | Age: 31	8.9 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 0.8 stl 47.7% FG, 30.5% 3P – (PHX/CHA)
F	#19	Ace Bailey (R)	6’8 | 210 lbs Rutgers | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 5th overall by UTA
SG/SF	#28	Brice Sensabaugh	6’5 | 235 lbs Ohio State | Age: 21	10.9 pts, 3 reb, 1.5 ast, 0.6 stl 45.9% FG, 42.2% 3P
F	#5	Cody Williams	6’7 | 190 lbs Colorado | Age: 20	4.6 pts, 2.3 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 32.3% FG, 25.9% 3P
PG	#13	Walter Clayton Jr. (R)	6’3 | 195 lbs Florida | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 18th overall by WSH
SF	#2	Kyle Anderson	6’9 | 230 lbs UCLA | Age: 32	5.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.7 stl 46.9% FG, 35.7% 3P – (GSW/MIA)
PF/C	#22	Kyle Filipowski	6’11 | 250 lbs Duke | Age: 21	9.6 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.7 stl 50.2% FG, 35% 3P
F	#0	Taylor Hendricks	6’9 | 215 lbs UCF | Age: 21	3 GP, 4.7 pts, 5 reb, 1.7 stl 22.2% FG, 25% 3P
SG	#10	Svi Mykhailiuk	6’7 | 205 lbs Kansas | Age: 28	8.8 pts, 2.4 reb, 2 ast, 0.5 stl 39.1% FG, 34.5% 3P
PF	#42	Kevin Love	6’8 | 251 lbs UCLA | Age: 37	5.3 pts, 4.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.7 stl 35.7% FG, 35.8% 3P – (MIA)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#34	Oscar Tshiebwe	6’8 | 255 lbs Kentucky | Age: 25	14 GP, 7.6 pts, 8.7 reb, 0.9 stl 60% FG
G	#16	Elijah Harkless	6’3 | 195 lbs UNLV | Age: 25	10 GP, 3.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 1 stl 31.4% FG, 28% 3P
SF	#17	John Tonje (R)	6’5 | 218 lbs Wisconsin | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 53rd overall by UTA

*Georges Niang has a foot injury and could return in November

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 24-58, 15th in West
MVP: F Lauri Markkanen
X-Factor: C Walker Kessler
ADD: F Ace Bailey (Rookie)
LOSS: PF John Collins (Traded to LA Clippers)
Grade: C

Over the past few seasons, the Jazz have been nothing new from reloading and starting from scratch. This offseason they did it again, unloading Collin Sexton, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson while bringing in more draft picks and young players. The franchise cornerstone still remains Lauri Markkanen who is coming off a rough year. Young guards Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier should slot in as the starting backcourt after having tremendous seasons as the primary backcourt a year ago. Former top recruit Ace Bailey was taken at #5 after slipping a bit in the draft where he was seen by some to be the best prospect not named Cooper Flagg.

Veterans Jusuf Nurkic, Kyle Anderson, and Kevin Love were all brought in through salary dump trades and will likely be rotational pieces, buy-out options, or trade deadline chips. But in all likelihood, I don’t see any of those three playing a big role for this team this year. They are still strongly in rebuilding mode, and it’s tough to see them truly compete in the West just yet. The goal will be to develop Bailey, figure out a future for Markkanen, and further develop the young core.

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Golden State Warriors

HC: Steve Kerr
12th year
Career/Team record: 567-308, Career Playoff record: 104-48 – AGE: 60

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#20	Al Horford	6’8 | 240 lbs Florida | Age: 39	9 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.9 blk 42.3% FG, 36.3% 3P – (BOS)
PF	#23	Draymond Green	6’6 | 230 lbs Michigan State | Age: 35	9 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.6 ast, 1.5 stl 42.4% FG, 32.5% 3P
SF	#10	Jimmy Butler III	6’6 | 230 lbs Marquette | Age: 36	17.5 pts, 5.4 reb, 5.4 ast, 1.4 stl 50.4% FG, 30.8% 3P – (MIA/GSW)
SG	#2	Brandin Podziemski	6’4 | 205 lbs Santa Clara | Age: 22	11.7 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.1 stl 44.5% FG, 37.2% 3P
PG	#30	Stephen Curry	6’2 | 185 lbs Davidson | Age: 37	24.5 pts, 6 ast, 4.4 reb, 1.1 stl 44.8% FG, 39.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF	#1	Jonathan Kuminga	6’7 | 225 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 23	15.3 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.2 ast, 0.8 stl 45.4% FG, 30.5% 3P
SG	#4	Moses Moody*	6’5 | 211 lbs Arkansas | Age: 23	9.8 pts, 2.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.8 stl 43.3% FG, 37.4% 3P
PF/C	#32	Trayce Jackson-Davis	6’9 | 245 lbs Indiana | Age: 25	6.6 pts, 5 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.6 blk 57.6% FG
SG	#7	Buddy Hield	6’4 | 220 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 32	11.1 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.8 stl 41.7% FG, 37% 3P
G	#8	De’Anthony Melton**	6’2 | 200 lbs USC | Age: 27	6 GP, 10.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 2.8 ast 40.7% FG, 37.1% 3P
C	#21	Quinten Post	7’0 | 238 lbs Boston College | Age: 25	8.1 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.4 blk 44.9% FG, 40.8% 3P
SF	#15	Gui Santos	6’7 | 185 lbs Brazil | Age: 23	4.1 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.4 stl 45.8% FG, 33% 3P
SG/SF	#3	Will Richard (R)	6’3 | 206 lbs Florida | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 56th overall by MEM
G	#0	Gary Payton II	6’2 | 195 lbs Oregon State | Age: 32	6.5 pts, 3 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.8 stl 57.4% FG, 32.6% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#61	Pat Spencer	6’2 | 205 lbs Northwestern | Age: 29	2.5 pts, 1.2 ast, 1.2 reb, 0.4 stl 40.6% FG, 22.7% 3P
PF	#44	Jackson Rowe	6’6 | 210 lbs Cal State-Fullerton | Age: 28	6 GP, 3.7 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.7 ast 47.1% FG, 30% 3P
F	#22	Alex Toohey (R)	6’8 | 223 lbs Australia | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 52nd overall by PHX

*Moses Moody has a calf injury and may miss the first few games
*De’Anthony Melton has a knee injury and may miss 1-2 months

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 49-33, 4th in West
MVP: PG Stephen Curry
X-Factor: SF Jimmy Butler
ADD: C Al Horford (Signed)
LOSS: C Kevon Looney (Signed with New Orleans)
Grade: B+

The Warriors enter the new year with a fresh squad and looking to try to win Steph his 5th ring before he calls it a career. The first year without Klay didn’t take too long before they looked for a new star defensive wing, as Jimmy Butler was acquired mid-season. With Jimmy in the mix, and their young core, I think Golden State has a golden opportunity to make it deep in the West. Steph is still playing at a high level, Moses Moody and B-Pod have become solid complimentary backcourt pieces, and the addition of Al Horford gives them even more veteran points.

Another big resolution was being able to re-sign Jonathan Kuminga on a 1-year deal, which will likely be his final year with the Warriors, assuming his unrestricted free agency goes better than restricted did. There’s no doubt there’s a feeling of urgency within the Golden State organization, especially with Steph and Klay approaching their late-30s. The move to bring in Butler said it all, as he is looking to win his first ring before his career finishes as well. They have as good a shot as any to make another run at the Finals.

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Los Angeles Clippers

HC: Tyronn Lue
6th year as Clippers HC, 10th year as a HC (prev: CLE ’15-’19)
Career record: 362-249, Clippers record: 234-166, Career Playoff record: 57-41 – AGE: 48

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#40	Ivica Zubać	7’0 | 240 lbs Croatia | Age: 28	16.8 pts, 12.6 reb, 2.7 ast, 1.1 blk 62.8% FG
PF	#20	John Collins	6’9 | 226 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 28	19 pts, 8.2 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk 52.7% FG, 39.9% 3P – (UTA)
SF	#2	Kawhi Leonard	6’7 | 225 lbs San Diego State | Age: 34	21.5 pts, 5.9 reb, 3.1 ast, 1.6 stl 49.8% FG, 41.1% 3P
G	#1	James Harden	6’5 | 220 lbs Arizona State | Age: 36	22.8 pts, 8.7 ast, 5.8 reb, 1.5 stl 41% FG, 35.2% 3P
PG	#8	Kris Dunn	6’3 | 205 lbs Providence | Age: 31	6.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.8 ast, 1.7 stl 43.9% FG, 33.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#0	Bradley Beal	6’4 | 207 lbs Florida | Age: 32	17 pts, 3.7 ast, 3.3 reb, 1.1 stl 49.7% FG, 38.6% 3P – (PHX)
PG	#3	Chris Paul	6’0 | 175 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 40	8.8 pts, 7.4 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.3 stl 42.7% FG, 37.7% 3P – (SAS)
C	#11	Brook Lopez	7’1 | 282 lbs Stanford | Age: 37	13 pts, 5 reb, 1.9 blk, 1.8 ast 50.9% FG, 37.3% 3P – (MIL)
SG	#10	Bogdan Bogdanović	6’5 | 225 lbs Serbia | Age: 33	10.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.7 ast, 0.8 stl 42.7% FG, 36.3% 3P – (ATL/LAC)
F	#5	Derrick Jones Jr.	6’6 | 210 lbs UNLV | Age: 28	10.1 pts, 3.4 reb, 1 stl, 0.8 ast 52.6% FG, 35.6% 3P
F	#33	Nicolas Batum	6’8 | 230 lbs France | Age: 36	4 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.7 stl 43.7% FG, 43.3% 3P
C	#14	Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (R)	7’0 | 250 lbs Penn State | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 30th overall by LAC
F	#24	Kobe Brown	6’7 | 250 lbs Missouri | Age: 25	1.9 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 stl 45.8% FG, 23.1% 3P
SG	#12	Cam Christie	6’6 | 190 lbs Minnesota | Age: 20	13 GP, 1.4 pts, 0.9 reb, 0.5 ast 29.2% FG, 15.4% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#22	Jordan Miller	6’5 | 194 lbs Miami | Age: 25	4.1 pts, 1.6 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.5 stl 43.3% FG, 21.1% 3P
SG	#4	Kobe Sanders (R)	6’9 | 207 lbs Nevada | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 50th overall by NYK
SF	#19	Jahmyl Telfort (R)	6’7 | 225 lbs Butler | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2025

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 39-43, 9th in West
MVP: SF Kawhi Leonard
X-Factor: SG Bradley Beal
ADD: PF John Collins (Traded from Utah)
LOSS: SG Norman Powell (Traded to Miami)
Grade: B

The Clippers are one of the biggest losers over the past half-decade in the West, right there alongside the Suns. I had a lot of faith in last year’s group to finally break through and make it deep in the West, but once again a solid regular season led to a playoff fall. Now, they’ll enter Year 6 of the Tyronn Lue era and Year 7 of the Kawhi era with nothing quite to show for it. They took the liberty to add plenty of veteran depth this year, bringing in Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul, all to come off the bench and lead the second unit.

They decided to part with long-time bench piece Norman Powell and also added John Collins to the mix to be their starting 4. This was a solid move, giving them the freedom to start the defensive minded Kris Dunn at PG and have a solid third scoring option behind Kawhi and Harden. Once again, I do like this Clippers team on paper, but paper and results have proven to be far apart over the last few years. There’s no doubt that the clock is ticking, and another playoff letdown could draw the end of Tyronn Lue.

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Los Angeles Lakers

HC: J.J. Redick
2nd year
Career/Team record: 50-32, Career Playoff record: 1-4 – AGE: 41

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#5	Deandre Ayton	7’0 | 252 lbs Arizona | Age: 27	14.4 pts, 10.2 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 blk 56.6% FG, 18.8% 3P – (POR)
F	#28	Rui Hachimura	6’8 | 230 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 27	13.1 pts, 5 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.8 stl 50.9% FG, 41.3% 3P
F	#23	LeBron James*	6’9 | 250 lbs USA | Age: 40	24.4 pts, 8.2 ast, 7.8 reb, 1 stl 51.3% FG, 37.6% 3P
SG	#15	Austin Reaves	6’5 | 197 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 27	20.2 pts, 5.8 ast, 4.5 reb, 1.1 stl 46% FG, 37.7% 3P
PG	#77	Luka Dončić	6’6 | 230 lbs Slovenia | Age: 26	28.2 pts, 8.2 reb, 7.7 ast, 1.8 stl 45% FG, 36.8% 3P – (DAL/LAL)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#36	Marcus Smart	6’3 | 220 lbs Oklahoma State | Age: 31	9 pts, 3.2 ast, 2.1 reb, 1.1 stl 39.3% FG, 34.8% 3P – (MEM/WSH)
F	#2	Jarred Vanderbilt	6’8 | 214 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	4.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 1 stl 48.8% FG, 28.1% 3P
SG	#4	Dalton Knecht	6’6 | 215 lbs Tennessee | Age: 24	9.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.3 stl 46.1% FG, 37.6% 3P
PG	#7	Gabe Vincent	6’2 | 200 lbs UC-Santa Barbara | Age: 29	6.4 pts, 1.4 ast, 1.3 reb, 0.7 stl 40% FG. 35.3% 3P
PF	#14	Maxi Kleber	6’10 | 240 lbs Germany | Age: 33	3 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.3 ast, 0.5 blk 38.5% FG, 26.5% 3P – (DAL/LAL)
F	#12	Jake LaRavia	6’7 | 235 lbs Wake Forest | Age: 23	6.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.9 stl 47.5% FG, 42.3% 3P – (MEM/SAC)
PF	#1	Adou Thiero (R)	6’8 | 220 lbs Arkansas | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 36th overall by BKN
C	#11	Jaxson Hayes	7’0 | 220 lbs Texas | Age: 25	6.8 pts, 4.8 reb, 1 ast, 0.9 blk 72.2% FG
G	#9	Bronny James	6’2 | 212 lbs USC | Age: 21	2.3 pts, 0.8 ast, 0.7 reb, 0.3 stl 31.3% FG, 28.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#10	Christian Koloko	7’0 | 220 lbs Arizona | Age: 25	2.4 pts, 2.5 reb, 0.4 blk, 0.4 ast 60.6% FG
SG	#20	Nick Smith Jr.	6’2 | 185 lbs Arkansas | Age: 21	9.9 pts, 2.4 ast, 2.1 reb, 0.3 stl 39.1% FG, 34% 3P – (CHA)
G	#30	Chris Mañon (R)	6’5 | 215 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*LeBron James has sciatica and will miss 3-4 weeks

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 
MVP: PG Luka Doncic
X-Factor: F LeBron James
ADD: C Deandre Ayton (Signed)
LOSS: PF Dorian Finney-Smith (Signed with Houston)
Grade: B-

The Lakers looked to be destined for a rebuild that was creeping closer and closer, until Luka fell in their lap at last year’s deadline. A move that shocked the NBA and the sports world in general, the Mavs decided to move on from their star by sending him to LA for Anthony Davis and several other pieces. Now, even with LeBron entering his age-41 season and the murmurs of a retirement after the season, they will build their future around the 26-year-old superstar. They took no time to re-up Luka on an extension, and they’ll enter the new season with James on the shelf and Luka leading the pack.

Veterans Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia were all added to bring some depth and supporting pieces around their team. They’ll once again be heavily reliant on Austin Reaves to be their secondary scorer, a role he slotted into very well last year. The development of Dalton Knecht and the availability of Gabe Vincent will be huge factors on the bench’s success. This team still seems like a play-in team to me, but there’s no doubt that as long as Luka is playing they’ll consistently be in the mix.

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Phoenix Suns

HC: Jordan Ott
1st year
AGE: 40

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#15	Mark Williams	7’0 | 240 lbs Duke | Age: 23	15.3 pts, 10.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.2 blk 60.4% FG – (CHA)
PF	#00	Royce O’Neale	6’6 | 226 lbs Baylor | Age: 32	9.1 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.2 ast, 0.9 stl 42.3% FG, 40.6% 3P
F	#3	Dillon Brooks	6’6 | 225 lbs Oregon | Age: 29	14 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.8 stl 42.9% FG, 39.7% 3P – (HOU)
SG	#4	Jalen Green*	6’4 | 186 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 23	21 pts, 4.6 reb, 3.4 ast, 0.9 stl 42.3% FG, 35.4% 3P – (HOU)
G	#1	Devin Booker	6’6 | 206 lbs Kentucky | Age: 28	25.6 pts, 7.1 ast, 4.1 reb, 0.9 stl 46.1% FG, 33.2% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#8	Grayson Allen	6’4 | 198 lbs Duke | Age: 30	10.6 pts, 3 reb, 2.1 ast, 0.8 stl 44.8% FG, 42.6% 3P
F	#0	Ryan Dunn	6’8 | 216 lbs Virginia | Age: 22	6.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.6 stl 43% FG, 31.1% 3P
C	#10	Khaman Maluach (R)	7’2 | 250 lbs Duke | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 10th overall by HOU
C	#2	Nick Richards	7’0 | 245 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	9.3 pts, 8.2 reb, 1 blk, 0.9 ast 59.1% FG – (CHA/PHX)
PF	#11	Oso Ighodaro	7’0 | 235 lbs Marquette | Age: 23	4.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 60.4% FG
G	#23	Jordan Goodwin	6’4 | 200 lbs St. Louis | Age: 26	5.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 1 stl 43.8% FG, 38.2% 3P – (LAL)
F	#21	Nigel Hayes-Davis	6’8 | 240 lbs Wisconsin | Age: 30	DNP – Played in Turkey
F	#20	Rasheer Fleming (R)	6’9 | 240 lbs St. Joseph’s | Age: 21	DRAFTED: 31st overall by MIN
PG	#12	Collin Gillespie	6’1 | 195 lbs Villanova | Age: 26	5.9 pts, 2.4 ast, 2.4 reb, 0.6 stl 43% FG, 43.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
F	#18	Isaiah Livers	6’6 | 232 lbs Michigan | Age: 27	DNP – Injured/Free Agent
SG	#14	Koby Brea (R)	6’6 | 202 lbs Kentucky | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 41st overall by GSW
PF	#22	C.J. Huntley (R)	6’11 | 221 lbs Appalachian State | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*Jalen Green has a hamstring injury and may miss the first few weeks

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 42-40, 7th in West
MVP: G Devin Booker
X-Factor: SG Jalen Green
ADD: SG Jalen Green (Traded from Houston)
LOSS: F Kevin Durant (Traded to Houston)
Grade: C

The Suns took the ultimate risk a couple of years ago after their 2021 Finals letdown, by trading their future for KD and Bradley Beal. Well, it didn’t work out as KD was dealt to the Rockets and Beal was so bad he had to be bought out of his contract. Now, the Suns enter a semi-rebuild, with Devin Booker still their leader and is slowly becoming the franchise’s all-time icon. Jalen Green was the key return from the KD trade, a future consistent 20+ ppg scorer in the league. Veterans Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams, and Royce O’Neale will also play big minutes and get a chance to be key pieces on this run.

Also acquired in the KD trade was the 10th pick, which they used on Khaman Maluach, an African big man who possesses the skillset to be an athletic and dominant big man in the league. Outside of that, this team lacks a lot of depth and scoring capability to be a true threat in the West. It’s going to take time to gel, and with a new young HC in Jordan Ott, the franchise may be looking at a couple of down years in the near future.

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Sacramento Kings

HC: Doug Christie
2nd year
Career/Team record: 27-24 – AGE: 55

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF/C	#11	Domantas Sabonis	6’10 | 240 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 29	19.1 pts, 13.9 reb, 6 ast, 0.7 stl 59% FG, 41.7% 3P
SF	#10	DeMar DeRozan	6’6 | 220 lbs USC | Age: 36	22.2 pts, 4.4 ast, 3.9 reb, 0.8 stl 47.7% FG, 32.8% 3P
SG/SF	#23	Keon Ellis	6’4 | 175 lbs Alabama | Age: 25	8.3 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.5 ast, 1.5 stl 48.9% FG, 43.3% 3P
SG	#8	Zach LaVine	6’5 | 200 lbs UCLA | Age: 30	23.3 pts, 4.3 reb, 4.2 ast, 0.8 stl 51.1% FG, 44.6% 3P – (CHI/SAC)
PG	#17	Dennis Schröder	6’1 | 175 lbs Germany | Age: 32	13.1 pts, 5.4 ast, 2.6 reb, 0.9 stl 40.6% FG, 34.2% 3P – (BKN/GSW/DET)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#0	Malik Monk	6’3 | 200 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	17.2 pts, 5.6 ast, 3.8 reb, 0.9 stl 43.9% FG, 32.5% 3P
PG	#18	Russell Westbrook	6’4 | 200 lbs UCLA | Age: 36	13.3 pts, 6.1 ast, 4.9 reb, 1.4 stl 44.9% FG, 32.3% 3P – (DEN)
SG/SF	#22	Devin Carter	6’2 | 195 lbs Providence | Age: 23	3.8 pts, 2.1 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.6 stl 37% FG, 29.5% 3P
PF/C	#19	Drew Eubanks	6’10 | 245 lbs Oregon State | Age: 28	4.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.6 blk 59.3% FG – (UTA/LAC)
SF	#5	Nique Clifford (R)	6’6 | 200 lbs Colorado State | Age: 23	DRAFTED: 24th overall by OKC
PF	#20	Dario Šarić	6’10 | 225 lbs Croatia | Age: 31	16 GP, 3.5 pts, 3.1 reb, 1.4 ast 36.2% FG, 26.9% 3P – (DEN)
C	#42	Maxime Raynaud (R)	7’1 | 250 lbs Stanford | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 42nd overall by SAC
PF/C	#3	Isaac Jones	6’9 | 245 lbs Washington State | Age: 25	3.4 pts, 1.4 reb, 0.3 blk, 0.3 ast 65.1% FG
F	#7	Doug McDermott	6’6 | 225 lbs Creighton | Age: 33	3.5 pts, 0.5 reb, 0.2 ast, 0.1 stl 42.7% FG, 43.6% 3P
F	#13	Keegan Murray* (I)	6’8 | 225 lbs Iowa | Age: 25	12.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.9 blk 44.4% FG, 34.3% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#24	Isaiah Stevens	6’0 | 185 lbs Colorado State | Age: 24	3 GP, 0.7 reb, 0.3 stl – (MIA)
SG	#29	Daeqwon Plowden	6’6 | 216 lbs Bowling Green | Age: 27	6 GP, 7.2 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.3 ast 64% FG, 52.9% 3P – (ATL)
C	#32	Dylan Cardwell (R)	6’11 | 255 lbs Auburn | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*Keegan Murray has a torn UCL in his thumb and will miss 3-6 months

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 31-51, 12th in West
MVP: C Domantas Sabonis
X-Factor: SF DeMar DeRozan
ADD: PG Dennis Schroder (Signed)
LOSS: C Jonas Valanciunas (Traded to Denver)
Grade: C+

The Kings had a stellar year just a couple of years ago, and have followed up with a ton of inconsistent play ever since. They opted to build the franchise around Domantas Sabonis and traded De’Aaron Fox mid-season to the Spurs. Now, veterans Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are going to be tasked with providing enough secondary scoring to help make Sacramento a playoff threat once again.

This roster isn’t awful, and the late Training Camp addition of Russell Westbrook will only give them more depth off the bench, but it just feels like they have a cast of veterans that have never been able to get over the hump in their careers. On top of that, Keegan Murray will miss extended time and it’ll take some developing of young pieces like Devin Carter, Maxime Raynaud, and Nique Clifford to become true NBA rotational pieces. I don’t see Sacramento as a playoff team, and in the West, it’ll be tough to make it with below average defense and a mediocre offense.

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Dallas Mavericks

HC: Jason Kidd
5th year as Mavericks HC, 9th year as a HC (prev: BKN ’13-’14, MIL ’14-’18)
Career record: 362-339, Mavericks record: 179-149, Career Playoff record: 31-33 – AGE: 52

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF	#3	Anthony Davis	6’10 | 253 lbs Kentucky | Age: 32	24.7 pts, 11.6 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.2 blk 51.6% FG, 28.2% 3P – (LAL/DAL)
PF	#25	P.J. Washington	6’7 | 230 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	14.7 pts, 7.8 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.1 stl 45.3% FG, 38.1% 3P
SG/SF	#31	Klay Thompson	6’5 | 220 lbs Washington State | Age: 35	14 pts, 3.4 reb, 2 ast, 0.7 stl 41.2% FG, 39.1% 3P
G	#5	D’Angelo Russell	6’3 | 193 lbs Ohio State | Age: 29	12.6 pts, 5.1 ast, 2.8 reb, 1 stl 39% FG, 31.4% 3P – (LAL/BKN)
G/F	#32	Cooper Flagg (R)	6’9 | 205 lbs Duke | Age: 18	DRAFTED: 1st overall by DAL

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#16	Caleb Martin	6’5 | 205 lbs Nevada | Age: 30	7.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.1 ast, 1 stl 42.4% FG, 35.9% 3P – (PHI/DAL)
F	#13	Naji Marshall	6’6 | 220 lbs Xavier | Age: 27	13.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl 50.8% FG, 27.5% 3P
C	#2	Dereck Lively II	7’1 | 230 lbs Duke | Age: 21	8.7 pts, 7.5 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.6 blk 70.2% FG
PF/C	#21	Daniel Gafford	6’10 | 265 lbs Arkansas | Age: 27	12.3 pts, 6.8 reb, 1.8 blk, 1.4 ast 70.2% FG
G	#00	Max Christie	6’5 | 190 lbs Michigan State | Age: 22	9.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.9 ast, 0.8 stl 42.7% FG, 36.6% 3P – (LAL/DAL)
SG	#1	Jaden Hardy	6’3 | 198 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 23	8.7 pts, 1.6 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.5 stl 43.5% FG, 38.6% 3P
C	#7	Dwight Powell	6’10 | 240 lbs Stanford | Age: 34	2.1 pts, 2.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.4 blk 68.9% FG
PG	#0	Dante Exum	6’5 | 214 lbs Australia | Age: 30	20 GP, 8.7 pts, 2.8 ast, 1.7 reb 47.8% FG, 43.4% 3P
G	#10	Brandon Williams	6’1 | 190 lbs Arizona | Age: 25	8.3 pts, 2.3 ast, 1.8 reb, 0.7 stl 52.1% FG, 40% 3P
PG	#11	Kyrie Irving* (I)	6’2 | 195 lbs Duke | Age: 33	24.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 4.6 ast, 1.3 stl 47.3% FG, 40.1% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PG	#9	Ryan Nembhard (R)	5’11 | 180 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2025
C	#30	Moussa Cissé (R)	6’11 | 220 lbs Memphis | Age: 23	UNDRAFTED in 2025
G	#14	Miles Kelly (R)	6’4 | 190 lbs Auburn | Age: 22	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*Kyrie Irving continues to rehab a torn ACL and will miss the entire season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 46-36, 6th in West
MVP: PF Anthony Davis
X-Factor: G/F Cooper Flagg
ADD: G/F Cooper Flagg (Rookie)
LOSS: SG Spencer Dinwiddie (Free Agent)
Grade: B

On the other side of one of the most shocking trades in NBA history, the Mavs were given a gift from God after landing the 1st overall pick. Now, they can replace their former star Luka with one of the league’s most highly anticipated rookies in a long-time, Cooper Flagg. Add him to a frontcourt with Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford, this is a tried and true playoff contender. Although their bigs are what leads the headlines, their guards are solid as well. They’ll eventually get Kyrie Irving back, hopefully for them it will be by playoff time.

It’s amazing that a team that traded such a star in this league in what seemed like a lopsided trade, could end up in better playoff position the following year than the team they traded with. A lot of luck went their way, landing the 1st pick being the biggest thing, and their collection of big men they have been stockpiling over the last few years. This is definitely a top 6 team, and likely can even be a series winner. As for a championship, they probably aren’t in the same class as OKC, Houston, or Denver.

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Houston Rockets

HC: Ime Udoka
3rd year as Rockets HC, 4th year as a HC (prev: BOS ’21-’22)
Career record: 144-102, Rockets record: 93-71, Career Playoff record: 17-14 – AGE: 48

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#28	Alperen Sengün	6’11 | 243 lbs Turkey | Age: 28	19.1 pts, 10.3 reb, 4.9 ast, 1.1 stl 49.6% FG, 23.3% 3P
F	#7	Kevin Durant	6’11 | 240 lbs Texas | Age: 37	26.6 pts, 6 reb, 4.2 ast, 1.2 blk 52.7% FG, 43% 3P – (PHX)
F	#2	Dorian Finney-Smith	6’7 | 220 lbs Florida | Age: 32	8.7 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.9 stl 44.8% FG, 41.1% 3P – (BKN/LAL)
SG/SF	#1	Amen Thompson	6’7 | 200 lbs G-League Ignite | Age: 22	14.1 pts, 8.2 reb, 3.8 ast, 1.4 stl 55.7% FG, 27.5% 3P
G	#15	Reed Sheppard	6’2 | 185 lbs Kentucky | Age: 21	4.4 pts, 1.5 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.7 stl 35.1% FG, 33.8% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PF	#10	Jabari Smith Jr.	6’11 | 220 lbs Auburn | Age: 22	12.2 pts, 7 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.7 blk 43.8% FG, 35.4% 3P
C	#12	Steven Adams	6’11 | 265 lbs Pittsburgh | Age: 32	3.9 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.5 blk 54.5% FG
SG	#20	Josh Okogie	6’4 | 213 lbs Georgia Tech | Age: 27	7.1 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.2 stl, 0.8 ast 44.3% FG, 34.8% 3P – (PHX/CHA)
F	#17	Tari Eason	6’8 | 215 lbs LSU | Age: 24	12 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.7 stl, 1.5 ast 48.7% FG, 34.2% 3P
PG	#0	Aaron Holiday	6’0 | 185 lbs UCLA | Age: 29	5.5 pts, 1.3 ast, 1.3 reb, 0.3 stl 43.7% FG, 39.8% 3P
C	#30	Clint Capela	6’10 | 256 lbs Switzerland | Age: 31	8.9 pts, 8.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 1 blk 55.9% FG – (ATL)
F	#32	Jeff Green	6’8 | 235 lbs Georgetown | Age: 39	5.4 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.6 ast, 0.2 stl 50.4% FG, 36.7% 3P
F	#8	Jae’Sean Tate	6’4 | 230 lbs Ohio State | Age: 29	3.6 pts, 2.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.5 stl 47.3% FG, 34.8% 3P
PG	#5	Fred VanVleet* (I)	6’0 | 197 lbs Wichita State | Age: 31	14.1 pts, 5.6 ast, 3.7 reb, 1.6 stl 37.8% FG, 34.5% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
PG	#4	J.D. Davison	6’1 | 195 lbs Alabama | Age: 23	16 GP, 2.1 pts, 0.8 ast, 0.8 reb 35.3% FG, 22.2% 3P – (BOS)
G	#00	Kevon Harris	6’5 | 216 lbs Stephen F. Austin | Age: 28	DNP – Played in G-League
SF	#27	Isaiah Crawford	6’6 | 220 lbs Louisiana Tech | Age: 23	15 GP, 0.9 pts, 0.5 reb, 0.1 ast 45.5% FG, 20% 3P – (SAC)

*Fred VanVleet has a torn ACL and will miss the entire season

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 57-25, 2nd in West
MVP: F Kevin Durant
X-Factor: C Alperen Sengun
ADD: F Kevin Durant (Traded from Phoenix)
LOSS: SG Jalen Green (Traded to Phoenix)
Grade: A-

There’s no doubt that the collection of young talent, a good young coach, and a huge step in the right direction last year is what made this team an enticing landing spot for KD. Just to play Devil’s Advocate, we can’t dismiss the fact that everywhere Durant has gone since Golden State, he has never made it further than the Conference Semi-Finals and have left the franchise in ruins. Brooklyn and Phoenix are kicking themselves right now. But the stardom and pure winning attitude KD plays with cannot be denied, and this was a worth it trade for Houston who didn’t really give up too much to get him. They kept their young pieces of all-star C Alperen Sengun, PF Jabari Smith, defensive wizard Amen Thompson, and more.

And of course with KD, some veterans will follow as the team was able to bring in Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and re-sign Jae’Sean Tate and Steven Adams. Add it all together, and this is the best team on paper in the West. They should undoubtedly be a top 3 team in the Conference and have a legitimate shot at the Finals. It’ll be them, Denver, OKC, or Golden State to come out of the Conference.

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Memphis Grizzlies

HC: Tuomas Iisalo
2nd year
Career/Team record: 4-5, Career Playoff record: 0-4 – AGE: 43

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#14	Zach Edey*	7’3 | 305 lbs Purdue | Age: 23	9.2 pts, 8.3 reb, 1.3 blk, 1 ast 58% FG, 34.6% 3P
PF/C	#8	Jaren Jackson Jr.	6’10 | 242 lbs Michigan State | Age: 26	22.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 2 ast, 1.5 blk 48.8% FG, 37.5% 3P
SF	#23	Cedric Coward (R)	6’5 | 206 lbs Washington State | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 11th overall by POR
SG/SF	#0	Jaylen Wells	6’7 | 206 lbs Washington State | Age: 22	10.4 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.6 stl 42.5% FG, 35.2% 3P
PG	#12	Ja Morant	6’2 | 174 lbs Murray State | Age: 26	23.2 pts, 7.3 ast, 4.1 reb, 1.2 stl 45.4% FG, 30.9% 3P

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#2	Ty Jerome**	6’5 | 195 lbs Virginia | Age: 28	12.5 pts, 3.4 ast, 2.5 reb, 1.1 stl 51.6% FG, 43.9% 3P – (CLE)
C	#7	Santi Aldama	7’0 | 215 lbs Loyola | Age: 24	12.5 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.8 stl 48.3% FG, 36.8% 3P
SG	#3	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope	6’5 | 204 lbs Georgia | Age: 32	8.7 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.8 ast, 1.3 stl 43.9% FG, 34.2% 3P – (ORL)
F	#15	Brandon Clarke***	6’8 | 215 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 29	8.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.8 stl 62.1% FG
PF/C	#45	G.G. Jackson	6’9 | 210 lbs South Carolina | Age: 20	7.2 pts, 3.2 reb, 1 ast, 0.4 stl 37.2% FG, 33.7% 3P
C	#31	Jock Landale	6’11 | 255 lbs St. Mary’s | Age: 29	4.8 pts, 3.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.3 stl 53.3% FG, 42.3% 3P – (HOU)
SG	#46	John Konchar	6’5 | 210 lbs Purdue-FW | Age: 29	2.4 pts, 3.3 reb, 0.9 ast, 0.7 stl 45.1% FG, 37.1% 3P
G	#5	Vince Williams Jr.	6’4 | 205 lbs VCU | Age: 25	6.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 2 ast, 0.4 stl 40.1% FG, 27.4% 3P
SG	#24	Cam Spencer	6’3 | 205 lbs UConn | Age: 25	4.2 pts, 1.4 ast, 1.2 reb, 0.4 stl 41.5% FG, 36.5% 3P
G	#1	Scotty Pippen Jr.**** (I)	6’2 | 170 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 24	9.9 pts, 4.4 ast, 3.3 reb, 1.3 stl 48% FG, 39.7% 3P

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
F	#18	Olivier-Maxence Prosper	6’7 | 230 lbs Marquette | Age: 23	3.9 pts, 2.4 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.5 stl 40.2% FG, 23.5% 3P – (DAL)
PF/C	#16	P.J. Hall	6’8 | 245 lbs Clemson | Age: 23	19 GP, 1.7 pts, 1.2 reb, 0.2 blk 58.3% FG, 25% 3P – (DEN)
G	#10	Javon Small (R)	6’1 | 190 lbs West Virginia | Age: 22	DRAFTED: 48th overall by MEM

*Zach Edey had ankle surgery and may return in December
**Ty Jerome has a calf injury and may return in November
***Brandon Clarke had knee surgery and may return in November
****Scotty Pippen Jr. had toe surgery and may return in February

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 33-49, 11th in West
MVP: PF Jaren Jackson Jr.
X-Factor: PG Ja Morant
ADD: G Ty Jerome (Signed)
LOSS: SG Desmond Bane (Traded to Orlando)
Grade: C+

The Grizzlies’ frustration over not being able to re-capture the magic they started to gain when first drafting Ja Morant hit it’s head in 2025. Taylor Jenkins was ended up letting go, and star wing Desmond Bane was dealt to Orlando for a load of draft picks. Now, the only hope for Memphis lies in what they will get out of their former superstar in Morant. I say former not as a dig but due to the fact that he really is not perceived as that around the league anymore. He’ll need to change it in 2026.

Jaren Jackson Jr. returned from injury and shined right away, re-captured his All-Defensive knack. Jaylen Wells was a surprise rookie last year, and they added lottery pick Cedric Coward, the signing of Ty Jerome, and the trade for KCP. Several moves that give them a much deeper backcourt. Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke will begin the year with injuries, so Santi Aldama, GG Jackson, and Jock Landale will need to step up in bigger rotation pieces early on. I don’t see Memphis as a playoff team, and it’s very difficult to see them as competitive with a new coach and many injury concerns.

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New Orleans Pelicans

HC: Willie Green
5th year
Career/Team record: 148-180, Career Playoff record: 2-8 – AGE: 44

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#21	Yves Missi	6’11 | 235 lbs Baylor | Age: 21	9.1 pts, 8.2 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.3 blk 54.7% FG
PF	#1	Zion Williamson	6’6 | 284 lbs Duke | Age: 25	24.6 pts, 7.2 reb, 5.3 ast, 1.2 stl 56.7% FG, 23.1% 3P
F	#2	Herbert Jones	6’7 | 206 lbs Alabama | Age: 27	20 GP, 10.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 3.3 ast 43.6% FG, 30.6% 3P
SG/SF	#25	Trey Murphy III	6’8 | 206 lbs Virginia | Age: 25	21.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.5 ast, 1.1 stl 45.4% FG, 36.1% 3P
G	#3	Jordan Poole	6’4 | 194 lbs Michigan | Age: 26	20.5 pts, 4.5 ast, 3 reb, 1.3 stl 43.2% FG, 37.8% 3P – (WSH)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#24	Jordan Hawkins	6’5 | 190 lbs UConn | Age: 23	10.8 pts, 2.8 reb, 1.2 ast, 0.5 stl 37.2% FG, 33.1% 3P
G	#0	Jeremiah Fears (R)	6’3 | 190 lbs Oklahoma | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 7th overall by NOP
C	#55	Kevon Looney	6’9 | 222 lbs UCLA | Age: 29	4.5 pts, 6.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.6 stl 51.4% FG – (GSW)
PF/C	#22	Derik Queen (R)	6’9 | 250 lbs Maryland | Age: 20	DRAFTED: 13th overall by ATL
PG	#15	Jose Alvarado	6’0 | 179 lbs Georgia Tech | Age: 27	10.3 pts, 4.6 ast, 2.4 reb, 1.3 stl 39.2% FG, 35.9% 3P
SG/SF	#41	Saddiq Bey	6’8 | 215 lbs Villanova | Age: 26	DNP – Torn ACL – (WSH)
PF	#17	Karlo Matković	6’10 | 231 lbs Croatia | Age: 24	7.7 pts, 5 reb, 1.1 ast, 1 blk 57.4% FG, 31.8% 3P
SG/SF	#14	Micah Peavy (R)	6’7 | 220 lbs Georgetown | Age: 24	DRAFTED: 40th overall by WSH
SG	#9	Jaden Springer	6’4 | 202 lbs Tennessee | Age: 23	2.5 pts, 1.3 reb, 0.8 ast, 0.6 stl 38.9% FG, 25% 3P – (BOS/UTA)
G	#5	Dejounte Murray* (I)	6’4 | 180 lbs Washington | Age: 29	17.5 pts, 7.4 ast, 6.5 reb, 2 stl 39.3% FG, 29.9% 3P – (ATL)

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SG	#11	Bryce McGowens	6’6 | 190 lbs Nebraska | Age: 22	13 GP, 1 pts, 0.2 reb, 0.2 ast 28.6% FG – (POR)
PG	#23	Trey Alexander	6’5 | 185 lbs Creighton | Age: 22	1.3 pts, 0.5 ast, 0.5 reb, 0.1 stl 31.7% FG, 17.6% 3P – (DEN)
C	#4	Hunter Dickinson (R)	7’1 | 255 lbs Kansas | Age: 24	UNDRAFTED in 2025

*Dejounte Murray continues to rehab a torn ACL and may return in January

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 29-53, 12th in West
MVP: PF Zion Williamson
X-Factor: PF Zion Williamson
ADD: G Jeremiah Fears (Rookie)
LOSS: G C.J. McCollum (Traded to Washington)
Grade: C-

A year ago, I spoke very highly of NOLA thinking they would be a surprise breakout team after stockpiling many solid assets. It ended up going the opposite way, and they enter the new year with frustration over Zion and a Head Coach who is firmly on the hot seat. They’ll be without Dejounte Murray for about half the season, and newly acquired Jordan Poole will likely run the point in his absence. Trey Murphy III broke out and is their clear cut second option beside Zion. They also possessed two lottery picks and selected breakout scoring guard Jeremiah Fears and athletic big man Derik Queen. Add Fears to the bench unit with Jordan Hawkins and they can have one of the better scoring duos off the bench .

The biggest thing that I fear with this core is that they have too many players that do the same things. Poole, Hawkins, Fears, and TM3 are all score-first wings that may be a bit difficult to pair alongside each other. I’m excited to see what Derik Queen becomes, as I think he and Missi could be a great pairing of bruising centers. This team has a solid young mix, but I think it’ll be another down year without Murray leading the charge. The West is too deep, and there’s too many inconsistencies in this roster.

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San Antonio Spurs

HC: Mitch Johnson
2nd year
Career/Team record: 32-45 – AGE: 39

POS.	NO.	STARTERS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
C	#1	Victor Wembanyama	7’4 | 235 lbs France | Age: 21	24.3 pts, 11 reb, 3.8 blk, 3.7 ast 47.6% FG, 35.2% 3P
F	#10	Jeremy Sochan	6’8 | 230 lbs Baylor | Age: 22	11.4 pts, 6.5 reb, 2.4 ast, 0.8 stl 53.5% FG, 30.8% 3P
SG/SF	#24	Devin Vassell	6’5 | 200 lbs Florida State | Age: 25	16.3 pts, 4 reb, 2.9 ast, 1.3 stl 44.3% FG, 36.8% 3P
G	#2	Dylan Harper (R)	6’5 | 215 lbs Rutgers | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 2nd overall by SAS
PG	#4	De’Aaron Fox	6’3 | 185 lbs Kentucky | Age: 27	23.5 pts, 6.3 ast, 4.8 reb, 1.5 stl 46.3% FG, 31% 3P – (SAC/SAS)

POS.	NO.	BENCH	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
G	#5	Stephon Castle	6’6 | 215 lbs UConn | Age: 20	14.7 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.7 reb, 0.9 stl 42.8% FG, 28.5% 3P
F	#3	Keldon Johnson	6’5 | 220 lbs Kentucky | Age: 26	12.7 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.6 ast, 0.6 stl 48.2% FG, 31.8% 3P
PF/C	#8	Kelly Olynyk	7’0 | 240 lbs Gonzaga | Age: 34	8.7 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.9 ast, 0.8 stl 50% FG, 41.8% 3P – (TOR/NOP)
C	#7	Luke Kornet	7’1 | 250 lbs Vanderbilt | Age: 30	6 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 blk 66.8% FG – (BOS)
F	#11	Carter Bryant (R)	6’6 | 220 lbs Arizona | Age: 19	DRAFTED: 14th overall by SAS
F	#40	Harrison Barnes	6’7 | 225 lbs North Carolina | Age: 33	12.3 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 0.5 stl 50.8% FG, 43.3% 3P
SF	#30	Julian Champagnie	6’7 | 217 lbs St. John’s | Age: 24	9.9 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.7 stl 41.5% FG, 37.1% 3P
SG	#43	Lindy Waters III	6’5 | 210 lbs Oklahoma State | Age: 28	4.9 pts, 2.1 reb, 1 ast, 0.5 stl 36.9% FG, 34.4% 3P – (GSW/DET)
PG	#0	Jordan McLaughlin	6’0 | 185 lbs USC | Age: 29	2.1 pts, 1.1 ast, 0.7 reb, 0.3 stl 43.1% FG, 41.3% 3P – (SAC/SAS)
C	#18	Bismack Biyombo	6’8 | 255 lbs Congo | Age: 33	5.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 1.1 ast, 0.8 blk 58.8% FG

POS.	NO.	TWO-WAY CONTRACTS	HT/WT/School/Age	2024-25 Season Stats
SF	#55	Harrison Ingram	6’5 | 230 lbs North Carolina | Age: 22	5 GP, 0.8 pts, 1.8 reb, 0.6 ast 50% FG
F	#27	Riley Minix	6’7 | 230 lbs Morehead State | Age: 25	1 GP, 2 reb
SG	#25	David Jones García (R)	6’4 | 210 lbs Memphis | Age: 23	DNP – Played in G-League

PAUL’S THOUGHTS:
Projected Record: 41-41, 8th in West
MVP: C Victor Wembanyama
X-Factor: PG De’Aaron Fox
ADD: G Dylan Harper (Rookie)
LOSS: PG Chris Paul (Signed with LA Clippers)
Grade: B-

Rounding it out we have the Spurs, who took a major shakeup this offseason after the retirement of Gregg Popovich. Arguably the best coach in NBA history, Pop missed most of last year due to health concerns and will now hand coaching duties to assistant Mitch Johnson. San Antonio couldn’t be in a better spot for the future, with one of the faces of the league who is quickly becoming the league’s most dominant player in Victor Wembanyama. They lucked out once again in this draft, landing the 2nd pick and taking Dylan Harper who is perceived as a James Harden-like scorer.

Their backcourt is stacked, with last year’s Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and all-star PG De’Aaron Fox in the mix. I like this Spurs team a lot and I think they will take major steps and even sneak into the playoffs this year in the West. It wasn’t too long ago that Keldon Johnson was their franchise centerpiece, and now he is a supporting piece off the bench with a stacked young core. San Antonio’s reign of 21st century dominance may be entering a new era.