2023-2024 NBA Season
After a long and excruciating 4 months since the NBA Finals, the 2023-2024 NBA season is about to tip off and it couldn’t be more exciting. There have been some huge offseason moves and this might’ve been one of the biggest and most talented draft classes in the last decade. This article is going to give you an overview of each team and give you a record prediction for the upcoming NBA season.
Atlanta Hawks
2022-2023 Record: 41-41
2023-2024 Prediction: 39-43
The eastern conference has improved drastically over the last few years and the Hawks have been on the outskirts of the playoffs every year. Last year they just barely made it by beating the Heat in the play-in, then the Hawks lost in 6 games to the Boston Celtics in the 1st round. They signed veteran head coach Quinn Snyder and they expected him to lead the Hawks to a playoff run but he didn’t do it. In his second year with the Hawks if they make the playoffs they might be able to make a run because they have the superstar talent to make a playoff run. They’re just not the best of regular season teams because they are very top heavy with their talent. They traded forward John Collins away in the offseason so will losing him affect this young roster that consists of Trae Young who is one of the best point guards in the league and guard Dejounte Murray that compliments him well with his defense. While everyone else on the team is young and finding their way in the league. This team is looking to make a run in the playoffs and they have the chance to do it if some guys can step up and exceed expectations.
Boston Celtics
2022-2023 Record: 57-25
2023-2024 Prediction: 63-19
The Celtics had an excellent year last season, they had the second-best record in the entire NBA and they were a 2 seed in their conference in the playoffs just 1 game behind the Milwaukee Bucks. They fell short to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals while forcing a game seven after trailing 0-3. They had a very controversial off-season, they traded away one of the best perimeter defenders in the league in Marcus Smart who was a long-tenured player with the Celtics and won Defensive Player of the Year just two years ago. A lot of the Celtics fans disapproved of this trade but the Celtics got veteran Kristaps Porzingis. Kristaps is a much-needed big man, the Celtics haven’t had a dominant big man in the recent years while the East has been dominated by big men in recent years. They also traded last year’s 6 Man of The Year winner Malcolm Brogdon and big but not so big man Robert Willams III for a very competent guard, Jrue Holiday. He is Marcus Smart’s successor and may not be as good of a defender but he is still one of the best and where he really succeeds is being able to score and not be the number one option but still being a solid offensive player. Jrue Holiday averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 9.4 assists per game while being the third option use on his team and having 1.2 steals per game. Marcus Smart averaged 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game, and averaged 1.5 steals per game. Stats-wise Jrue Holiday appears better and Jrue Holiday has championship experience and knows what it takes to win it all. The Celtics are looking to get back to the finals like they were in just two years ago, do you think they have what it takes to make the finals and potentially win it all?
Brooklyn Nets
2022-2023 Record-45-37
2023-2024 Prediction- 43-39
A few years ago the Brooklyn Nets went all in and acquired 3 superstars James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant. To sugarcoat it, it didn’t work out the trio only played 16 games together in that time, they went 13-3 but that’s only 16 games for the plethora of assets they gave up. Over the last year, they have traded all three of them and have completely retooled their roster. They are a lot younger but they still have some talent with Mikal Bridges looking to breakout as a number 1 option and he has some nice surrounding pieces in Cam Johnson and Nikolas Claxton. One big question, can Ben Simmon go back to his former self where he was a borderline All-Star caliber player? The Nets have invested a lot in him by getting him when they traded James Harden and that’s the main piece they got in return. Simmons still has 2 years left on his deal worth 78 million so he is not cheap. If he can play like an All-Star they will make the playoffs but that is a big if. This Nets team is on the up but they are not a contender yet.
Charlotte Hornets
2022-2023 Record-27-55
2023-2024 Prediction-20-62
The Hornets have been a lackluster team ever since they were first founded in 1988. For this season it isn’t going to be better.. The Hornets are a very young team with Lamelo Ball at the helm. In the offseason, they drafted Brandon Miller with the 3rd Pick in the draft and Nick Smith Jr. with the 27th Pick. Brandon Miller was a very solid prospect coming out of Alabama and probably would’ve been the first pick in several other drafts but this draft might be the best in this decade. He is very well-rounded and with Lamelo Ball as his point guard, they will mesh well with the right coaching and Brandon Miller could be a star one day. The Hornets were sold this offseason to Rick Schall and Gabe Plotkin, so hopefully the new ownership can lead this team in the right direction.
Chicago Bulls
2022-2023 Record-40-42
2023-2024 Prediction 38-44
The Bulls have been mediocre in recent years and they have also been unlucky with injuries. Promising player Lonzo Ball hasn’t played since January of 2022 and he is ruled out for the upcoming season. Without him, the roster is competent but barely good enough to make the play-in tournament. They have a nice balance of youth and veterans but they have missed on some recent draft picks like in the 2020 draft they picked Patrick Williams with the 4th pick and his career has been derailed with injuries and not up-to-par play on the court. The Bulls’ time to win is now with Demar Derozan and Zach Lavine getting older but do they have the talent to make the playoffs? They could be a 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs just some of their young guys need to step up and fulfill their potential.
Cleveland Cavaliers
2022-2023 Record-51-31
2023-2024 Prediction-55-27
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a young but talented roster with a nice balance of veterans. It’s unusual for a young team to win 50+ games. One of the reasons they lost in round one of the playoffs was their lack of experience; more specifically the lack of playoff experience. The Cavs acquired Donovan Mitchell right before the 2022 season and they exploded with him on the roster and became true contenders. Guys like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are only going to get better and now they have some playoff experience under their belt they could be underdogs to win it all.
Dallas Mavericks
2022-2023 Record-38-44
2023-2024 Prediction-46-36
The Dallas Mavericks made a big splash at last season’s trade deadline by acquiring Kyrie Irving, but it didn’t go as planned. Luka and Kyrie only played 16 games together and in those 16 games, they went 5-11. They ended up being two games out of the play in tournament and the second half of their year was a total collapse. But they gave Kyrie a max deal for 126 million over 3 more years so they believe that he and Luka will mesh together and they only had a small sample size so they couldn’t judge 16 games together. If Luka and Kyrie can stay healthy they could be the best backcourt duo in the league and will be a playoff team. The Mavs also have to figure out their team besides those two players, they drafted a promising big man Dereck Livley II with the 12th pick in this previous draft. They still have some holes to fill but if Luka and Kyrie can mesh they will be a playoff team.
Denver Nuggets
2022-2023 Record-53-29
2023-2024 Record-50-32
Last year the Nuggets hoisted the Larry O’ Brien for the first time in franchise history. Nikola Jokic led them to the finals and won finals MVP. Obviously, they want to go back to back but they lost some pieces in the offseason in Bruce Brown who was crucial in that finals run. The Nuggets are a very top-heavy team with star power like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. They lack depth their bench is a little lackluster and they will need some of their younger guys to step up. Anything is possible when you have a 6,11 284lb Magic Johnson and basketball isn’t even his favorite sport. Nikola Jokic is an avid horse racer back in Serbia and that was always his passion, to him basketball is just his side job and he just happens to be the best in the league. The Nuggets have high expectations this year, if they don’t win it all it’s an unsuccessful season. Will The Nuggets be able to go back to back?
Detroit Pistons
2022-2023 Record-17-65
2023-2024 Prediction-25-57
The Detroit Pistons have been pretty abysmal the last 15 years while only making the playoffs 3 times and getting swept all three times. Right now the Pistons are on the up but they’re still going to be bad, but they’re very young and have been cursed with injuries. Cade Cunningham who was the number 1 overall pick 2 years ago has only played 77 games in the NBA. They need Cade to stay healthy and fulfill the gobs on gobs of potential he has. The Pistons were looking at him to rebuild the team and be their star player and he hasn’t because he’s been injured. In his playing, he’s shown flashes averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists over those 77 games he’s played. They have also drafted Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson in the past two drafts so if they can develop in the next few years they could be a consistent playoff team.
Golden State Warriors
2022-2023 Record- 44-38
2023-2024 Prediction 42-40
Everyone knows the Golden State Warriors it’s Curry, Klay, and Draymond. It has worked before as we all know they won 4 championships together. But that was half a decade ago and years in the NBA are like dog years and their big 3 are old now and they have regressed. In the offseason, they traded for Chris Paul and it would’ve been a really good trade if it was 10 years ago but it’s 2023 and Chris Paul is 38. They have some young talent but haven’t been used like everyone thought they would. The Warriors head coach Steve Kerr hasn’t played their young talent but he is one of the best head coaches, so there is probably a reason for not playing his young guys. Even with all that said it’s hard to root against the Warrior’s big 3, they have single-handedly changed the course of the NBA so for that they’re respected. No matter what age, and if they make the playoffs they always have a shot at winning it all.
Houston Rockets
2022-2023 Record-22-60
2023-2024 Prediction-38-44
The Rockets have been rebuilding ever since they traded superstar James Harden away, and it has gone well. They haven’t been a winning team but they have a nice young core that’s growing and in the offseason, they acquired star veteran guard Fred Vanvleet and Dillon Brooks. They also drafted the twin brother of Ausar, Amen Thompson. With these moves being made and a head coaching change the Rockets look to potentially make the Play-In Tournament and if they could it would give this young team some playoff experience and see if young aspiring star Jalen Green can step up and be their franchise guy.
Indiana Pacers
2022-2023 Record-35-47
2023-2024 Prediction-46-36
The Pacers made a huge trade at the 2021 trade deadline and acquired young aspiring star Tyrese Haliburton and they brought him in to be the franchise guy and be their building piece and he’s done just that and more. He has only grown as a player and a leader since arriving in Indiana, he can take this low-market team into a dynasty that people start bandwagoning to. Just in this past offseason, they signed 2023 NBA champion Bruce Brown who is exactly what this young team needs, a guy who knows what it takes to be an NBA champion and can help lead this team into the promise land. They also traded for high-flying Obi Topping who was drafted by the Knicks but never got a fair shot. They play in transition and are one of the fastest team in the league, being a deep team helps because they have guys who are constantly fresh and who are capable of going 0-100 real quick. This young Pacer team has not won a lot of games in recent years but they are progressing and they are finally putting all the pieces together as they look to win their first-ever NBA championship.
Los Angeles Clippers
2022-2023 Record-44-38
2023-2024 Prediction-42-40
The Clippers have been decent since acquiring Paul George a few years back but they have only played 142 games together in 4 years. They have gone 96-46 which is very good but in 4 years, 142 games is not a lot. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the wrong side of 30 and they acquired Russel Westbrook last year and he is also on the wrong side of 30. As long as George and Kawhi are on the team they will hve playoffs on their mind. They haven’t proved that they can stay healthy and they haven’t gone far in the playoffs so at what moment do you hit the rebuild button?
Los Angeles Lakers
2022-2023 Record-43-39
2023-2024 Prediciton-50-32
The Lakers have been one of the more interesting teams in later years because they won the 2020 championship in the bubble and haven’t gotten back to the same place. When you have Lebron on your team your always a contender especially when he’s paired with Anthony Davis. The difference about this Lakers team is that they have a solid bench and above average role players around their big 2 which they really didn’t even have when they won it all in 2020. It’s also helpful to have a solid bench when Lebron is on a time limit with only supposed to be getting about 28 minutes a game to preserve his body. That’s what separates them from recent years and the Western Conference has only been declining. This Lakers team is definitely an underdog to win it all. If the Lakers can make the playoffs which they can, it could be dangerous and Lebron could get his 5th ring.
Memphis Grizzlies
2022-2023 Record- 51-31
2023-2024 Prediction-43-39
The Grizzlies have a challenging season coming up with superstar guard Ja Morant being suspended for 25 games and veteran big man Steven Adams being out for the year. The Grizzlies are still a solid team without those two and that might be an understatement. The Grizzlies might get off to a slow start without Ja Morant but once he comes back this team will be a contender with only getting better in the offseason by acquiring veteran guard Marcus Smart. That will propel this team dramatically defensively and they’re already a very good defensive team with having the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Jaren Jackson Jr. So with acquiring Marcus Smart they have the past 2 Defensive Player of the Year award winners. Some of their guys will have to step up in Ja’s absence, how much have Ja’s off-the-court issues affected the team and is there any turmoil? If so how much will that affect the team on the court?
Miami Heat
2022-2023 Record-44-38
2023-2024 Prediction-40-42
The Heat surprise everyone every year, they have been a mediocre regular season team but it’s like a flip switches in the playoffs and they’re always a better playoff team. Last year they were the 8th seed in the playoffs and made it all the way to the finals but lost to the Nuggets in a 5 game series. It is very hard to judge this team going into the season because of their playoff success recently and how mediocre they’ve been in the regular season. It’s hard to count them out in the playoffs if they make the playoffs and that’s a big if.
Milwaukee Bucks
2022-2023 Record-58-24
2023-2024 Prediction-64-18
The Bucks had an eventful off-season to say the least, they traded for superstar guard Damian Lillard. Giannis and Dame could be the modern-day Shaq and Kobe. You also can’t forget about a prolific 3-pt shooter in Khris Middleton who shot 31.5% from 3-pt last year and that’s a down year for him so hopefully he can bounce back now that some weight is lifted off his shoulders on offense, but weight on the defensive end is added because they had to trade away guard Jrue Holiday to get Damian Lillard. This is the first season where Damian Lillard will be suiting up for a team not named the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard is arguably the best player to wear a Trail Blazer jersey so fans will have to adapt to him wearing green instead of red. There is no stopping this Bucks team they have 2 prolific scorers in the league and it will show on the court. It is championship or bust right now and the Bucks are front runners to win it all.
Minnesota Timberwolves
2022-2023 Record-42-40
2023-2024 Predicition-38-44
The Timberwolves traded for Rudy Gobert in the 2022 offseason and it hasn’t worked out so far. The Timberwolves gave up and lot expecting Gobert to be back to a Defensive Player of the Year caliber player but he looks like a shell of his former self. The past two years the Timberwolves have made the playoffs but have lost in the first round both times. They’re looking to get over that hump and they haven’t figured it out yet. In hindsight, the Gobert trade wasn’t the right answer. It’s just been Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony Towns carrying the team to the playoffs but nothing to show for it. Can the Timberwolves get over the hump and make a playoff run?
New Orleans Pelicans
2022-2023 Record-42-40
2023-2024 Predicition-41-41
In the 2019 draft the Pelicans selected with the number 1 overall pick star forward Zion Williamson but has he been much of a star? The blunt answer is yes and no because in his career he has only played in 114 games but in those 114 games he’s averaged 25 points and almost 8 rebounds. So it depends on how you look at it, he has been set back with injuries but he has played very well and the Pelicans are 57-57 when he is on the court. The Pelican’s big 3 in CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion have only played 10 games together so heading into this season they are all healthy, knock on wood and hopefully they can make a playoff run.
New York Knicks
2022-2023 Record-47-35
2023-2024 Prediction-42-40
The Knicks had a rather impressive year last year and exceeded most people’s expectations. They surprisingly beat the Cavaliers in 5 games in the first round of the playoffs and took the Eastern Conference Champs to 6 games so after years of mediocrity the Knicks were better than advertised. The big question is can they be consistent? They have a rather younger team with nobody over 30 but most over 25 so with a lot of guys in their prime. There isn’t a better time to go and try and win it all than now.
Oklahoma City Thunder
2022-2023 Record-40-42
2023-2024 Prediction-45-37
The Thunder have a nice young roster with rising star Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm who just gets better and better every year and shows no signs of slowing down. On top of a young roster, the Thunder have 26 draft picks just in the next 5 years so they have the most draft capital in the league to make a huge splash trade for multiple stars or a superstar. Big things are coming for the Thunder, when the time is right general manager Sam Presti will make the necessary moves to make this team a contender and win a title one day. As for right now though they are just developing their young guys like Chet Holmgren who was drafted last year but was injured for the whole year. So it will be fun to see what he has to offer for the team. The Thunder are on the up but just not quite there yet and will be lucky to be a playoff team.
Orlando Magic
2022-2023 Record-34-48
2023-2024 Prediction-38-44
The Magic have been lackluster for the past decade with only making the playoffs twice and not making it past the first round. In last year’s draft, the Orlando Magic selected forward Paolo Banchero and he has been nothing but exceeding expectations. He’s been everything the Magic have needed, he’s a natural leader while only being a second-year player. He is the guy and he is the Magic’s successor. The roster is young but has a lot of potential and is only growing and fulfilling that potential.
Philadelphia 76ers
2022-2023 Record-54-28
2023-2024 Prediction-50-32
The 76ers are home to the 2023 Most Valuable Player in big man Joel Embid. He was drafted in 2014 to fulfill the process and has come up short in doing so by losing in the second round of the playoffs 5 times in the last 6 years and the one other year they got swept in the first round by the Celtics. It’s impressive to make the playoffs six years in a row but it is disappointing to lose and lose some more. The core of the 76ers has stayed practically the same for all those six years so who’s to blame? The only significant roster move they have made is acquiring James Harden but that hasn’t worked out because he has requested a trade and has brought a bunch of turmoil to the team. Moving on from him was probably the best thing they could’ve done. Will the 76ers overcome their enemy which is the second round of the playoffs or is it impossible?
Phoenix Suns
2022-2023 Record-45-37
2023-2024 Prediction-50-32
The Suns have made some huge moves over the past year and are really going all in with trading for superstar Kevin Durant and star guard Bradley Beal. The Suns have the best big 3 in the league right now with KD, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker on paper, but the downside is that those guys aren’t cheap so everywhere else is lackluster this team will be great and are true contenders. This team has a lot of star power and with the way the league has changed into getting the most superstars on the same team. They have gotten 3 superstars and if they can mesh well then this team will have a championship mindset.
Portland Trail Blazers
2022-2023 Record-33-49
2023-204 Prediction-40-42
The Trail Blazers made the biggest move in franchise history this offseason by trading superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. They blew up the team and retooled their franchise and it’s not a rebuild because they got some good pieces in return. They have a solid core now with acquiring Deandre Ayton, sixth man of the year Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Willams, and drafting Scoot Henderson. Their core is young but promising and could definitely sneak into the playoffs but in a few year’s time the Trail Blazers could be contenders.
Sacramento Kings
2022-2023 Record- 48-34
2023-2024 Prediction-50-32
The Sacramento Kings surprised many people last year when they won 48 games and earned the 3rd seed in the West. Their franchise has changed drastically since acquiring Domantas Sabonis and nobody knew last year how this team would play out and they exceeded most expectations. De’Aaron Fox and Domantis Sabonis are an amazing duo and they have a very solid supporting cast. Mike Brown won Coach of The Year last year as a first-year head coach. So now that the Kings have some hype and expectations will they be able to meet expectations?
San Antonio Spurs
2022-2023 Record- 22-50
2023-2024 Prediction-34-48
The San Antonio Spurs were terrible last year which makes sense why they got the number 1 overall draft pick in the 2023 draft. They drafted 19-year-old international phenom Victor Wembeneyama out of France. He is probably the most hyped-up prospect ever with social media nowadays. He is 7,4ft and can dribble and shoot like a guard. Gregg Popovich is loving his new big man. He has the potential to be the best one of the best Spurs players ever. Wembeneyama has so much potential, it’s so hard not to craze over it because it’s something we’ve never seen before. People could convince me he was made in a lab just to play basketball. Saying all of that, basketball is a team game and the rest of the Spurs is lackluster so the Spurs will not be great immediately but give it even just a year and they could be back in the playoffs.
Toronto Raptors
2022-2023 Record-41-41
2023-2024 Prediction-50-32
The Raptors have been a playoff team 8 times in the last 10 years and won a championship in 2019. Since that 2019 championship, they have only made the playoffs once so they have to do some retooling, and that’s why they’re very unpredictable. They have been rumored to trade some of their star players over the past few years but they haven’t and they have been mediocre so something will change. Come the trade deadline the Raptors will be active and it will go one way or another. They will trade for another star or they will trade their stars for young talent and draft capital. This will be a big year for the Raptors and will set the tone for the next few years.
Utah Jazz
2022-2023 Record- 37-45
2023-2024 Prediction-33-49
The Jazz have a somewhat young roster with a few veterans who look to lead these young guys into a play-in spot. With this roster being young it has potential but the talent might not be there just yet. They need some guys to step up and they might not be there quite yet but they definitely could be in a few years. There isn’t the talent there yet. They have 9 players 23 and under so it is hard to be competitive when the team is so young. But they have been in the rebuilding process ever since they traded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022. They have loads of draft capital and young talent so they are not there quite yet but they will be in the coming years.
Washington Wizards
2022-2023 Record-35-47
2023-2024 Prediction-33-49
The Wizards have totally revamped their team and traded their superstar Bradley Beal this offseason. Bradley Beal was the face of their franchise for the last 11 years and the Wizards haven’t won anything in those 11 years so he requested a trade. The biggest piece that they required was young star Jordan Poole from the Warriors. Poole has the potential to flourish in Washington because he was playing second fiddle to Curry and Thompson in Golden State. The Wizards don’t really have a direction that their going in, this is going to be a season where the team finds its identity and maps out a plan for the future.
