Taking a look back at my 2023 NBA Training Camp/Early Season Observations.
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks need to keep establishing a system and roles under new head coach Quin Snyder, which already looks like it’s going to be a longer process than a quick adjustment.
Notes: Despite Trae Young only appearing in 54 games, going 36-46 this past season was still a disappointment for Atlanta. With Dejounte Murray just getting traded and Zaccharie Risacher coming in as the #1 pick, I wonder if Young, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, or De’Andre Hunter end up being dealt this summer, too.
Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis’ health/Jrue Holiday locking up the perimeter defensively should be huge for Boston, as this club definitely has what it takes to possibly win a title.
Notes: It’s obvious that Porzingis’ health will remain a concern going forward, but that didn’t stop Boston from winning the 2024 NBA title. Holiday locked up on defense, and so did Jaylen Brown & Derrick White at a very high level.
Brooklyn Nets: This Brooklyn group has a bunch of players who can defend multiple positions, but don’t have many guys who can create their own shot besides Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie, & Cam Thomas. Offensive execution is a big focus.
Notes: Ben Simmons could have helped this team tremendously in areas they were lacking if he was healthy. With a new coach in Jordi Fernandez and Bridges gone (traded to the Knicks), it seems like the Nets are starting a youth movement/rebuild.
Charlotte Hornets: How centers Mark Williams & Nick Richards hold up down low/LaMelo Ball’s efficiency and decision making are two major keys for the Hornets. Also do talented veterans Gordon Hayward & Terry Rozier finally get traded?
Notes: Williams & Ball showed significant growth during 2023-24. However, they only combined to play 41 games. Charles Lee is now their head coach, as the roster has certainly gotten younger since trading Hayward, Rozier, and PJ Washington.
Chicago Bulls: Every single player on the Bulls besides DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic needs to understand that defense/timely shot making & cutting are the only things that matter. I doubt this roster is back next year if they have another mediocre season.
Notes: Could Alex Caruso getting traded to OKC for Josh Giddey mean that Chicago is going to make more moves this summer? I sure hope so. These last two years as a play-in team have been nothing but average.
Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs added much needed shooting in Max Strus and Georges Niang, so let’s hope that the group’s starters can keep growing as players after looking overwhelmed during the 2023 playoffs.
Notes: Strus (35.1% 3-PT) & Niang (37.6% 3-PT) didn’t shoot as well as I thought they would. Cavs starters like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen helped them reach the Second Round, so you gotta be happy with those guys. Kenny Atkinson will replace JB Bickerstaff as head coach.
Dallas Mavericks: Dallas already has two of the world’s best scorers (Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving), which leads me to believe that establishing roles and getting stops on defense are going to determine a lot.
Notes: Dallas had the right role players around Luka & Kyrie, which helped them make the 2024 NBA Finals. Guys like PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Derrick Jones Jr. (if he returns), Dereck Lively II, and Josh Green need to continue to play well/Luke & Kyrie must find ways to become a better defensive backcourt.
Denver Nuggets: For Denver to repeat, I think that starters Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have to step it up even more/head coach Michael Malone has to find the right bench guys to replace Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.
Notes: Well, I guess what I feared came true along with Jamal Murray not being as good. Lack of efficiency from Murray (33.3% 3-PT), Michael Porter Jr. (32.5% 3-PT), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (37.0% 3-PT) plus an unestablished bench resulted in a Second Round loss to Minnesota.
Detroit Pistons: With Cade Cunningham back healthy after missing almost all of last season/Monty Williams taking over as head coach, the Pistons need to make up for the poor showing they put up in 2022-23 and prove that they are a competitive/tough young group.
Notes: Detroit let go of Troy Weaver and Monty Williams after the season, which makes sense. You can’t go wrong starting over when you win just 14 total games/set an NBA record for the longest losing streak ever (28 straight losses).
Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson shot a career low 38.8% from the field during the 2023 postseason, so I hope that Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody can play as many minutes as possible to help get a bucket when Golden State needs it come playoff time. Having Andrew Wiggins & Gary Payton II fully healthy helps their defense tremendously.
Notes: Moving on from Thompson seems like a good start to reshaping the roster a little bit. Kuminga, Moody, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis are solid young pieces. Also I think it’s very important that Wiggins returns to All-Star form.
Houston Rockets: There’s still going to be a lot of growing pains for Houston, as their young players still have plenty to learn. I would ask many questions every day to head coach Ime Udoka and veterans such as Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green if I were Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, etc.
Notes: Houston went 41-41 in Udoka’s first season and barely missed the playoffs. The veterans have clearly helped, but a big part of their success will be based on how much youngsters like Sengun, Green, Smith Jr, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore can keep developing.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers’ high scoring offense picked up even more pace by adding Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin. Now it’s all about defense, an area they struggled in quite a bit last year.
Notes: Indiana received Pascal Siakam in the Bruce Brown deal/reached the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and Aaron Nesmith are great pieces to have right now.
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard & Paul George’s health/establishing who their go-to role players and defenders are have become yearly deciding factors for the Clippers. We’ll see if James Harden & PJ Tucker can help them win a championship.
Notes: Even if George stays (entered free agency), Leonard’s availability and Harden’s lack of winning during the playoffs give me little confidence that the Clippers can win it all. Hopefully new lead assistant Jeff Van Gundy can help find ways to possibly become NBA champions.
Los Angeles Lakers: Obviously Anthony Davis’ play matters even more as LeBron James gets older, but so does everyone else on the Lakers’ roster now. From new pieces to returners, the rest of their roster has been known to be up and down, so it should be an interesting season.
Notes: First time head coach JJ Redick now takes over the Lakers. Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura are good players and you don’t have to take all three out of the starting lineup, but at this point, I think LA must try to improve by adding a piece or making a change or two in their starting lineup.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr. clearly needs to step up without Steven Adams, but to me the biggest thing for Memphis is getting back to that grit & grind style once Ja Morant returns. Hopefully Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose can set the right culture that Dillon Brooks & Tyus Jones did as leaders.
Notes: Injuries derailed the Grizzlies’ season (27-55 record), GG Jackson & Vince Williams Jr. were bright spots though. Ja Morant & Desmond Bane sounded really determined at exit interviews to come back strong next year.
Miami Heat: The production of Max Strus & Gabe Vincent has to be replaced for the Heat. Also will Kevin Love (35-years-old) and Kyle Lowry (turns 38 in late March) stay healthy? Does Tyler Herro produce enough in the playoffs if he’s injury-free?
Notes: Herro only appeared in 42 regular season games while Jimmy Butler wasn’t healthy for the First Round vs. Boston (lost series 4-1). I wonder how much longer Pat Riley keeps them on the roster, especially if Miami doesn’t win it all next year.
Milwaukee Bucks: Damian Lillard is certainly going to help the Bucks on offense, but losing PJ Tucker and now Jrue Holiday adds more concern to their perimeter defense. Maybe Giannis Antetokounmpo will defend on the perimeter more (something he’s already doing this season).
Notes: Adrian Griffin went 30-13 and somehow got fired. New head coach Doc Rivers must find a way to get the most out of this team defensively, I think it’s clear that Milwaukee can put up points.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anything short of winning a first round playoff series/losing in seven hard fought games honestly feels like a letdown at this point for the Wolves. With star Anthony Edwards and the bench continuing to improve, Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, and Jaden McDaniels will be counted on to produce.
Notes: The Wolves made it all the way to the West Finals, as Ant-Man shined bright. Postseason efficiency from Edwards and KAT meant a lot when it came to winning and losing games.
New Orleans Pelicans: Pelicans star Zion Williamson staying injury-free means everything for this team. Jose Alvarado also missed important time last season (brings game-changing energy and defense).
Notes: Williamson’s health come playoff time continues to be the topic of conversation each season. The Pelicans trading for Dejounte Murray helps their backcourt on both ends, and now I wonder if Brandon Ingram returns.
New York Knicks: I’m a fan of the Knicks roster, but I think it’s pretty obvious that Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley have to put up points/Mitchell Robinson, Josh Hart, Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo, and Isaiah Hartenstein need to defend.
Notes: Barrett, Quickley, and Grimes are gone, but that’s OK, because the Knicks currently have OG Anunoby & Mikal Bridges. This roster is full of winners/competitors.
Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC making the 2023 play-in tournament without Chet Holmgren was a nice accomplishment for their young roster. However, the continued growth of starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams will determine a whole lot.
Notes: Giddey was recently dealt for Alex Caruso (I love the move). I think it’s critical that OKC finds the right bench players now that we know SGA, Chet, J-Dub, and Dort can lead them to the playoffs.
Orlando Magic: The Magic are a team that can guard multiple positions, but lack 3-point shooting on offense. Franz Wagner & Paolo Banchero have to grow up fast this season if they want to make the playoffs or play-in.
Notes: Orlando definitely could use some more shooting, but there was so much to like about 2023-24. Jamahl Mosley was a Coach of Year candidate and helped guide this impressive young group to the playoffs (went seven games against Cleveland in the First Round/lost series 4-3), as Wagner & Banchero were a huge part of their success.
Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden is finally gone, which means we now get to see Tyrese Maxey shine bright. I’ll be keeping an eye on Joel Embiid staying fresh for the playoffs, Maxey’s progression, and Nick Nurse’s coaching decisions.
Notes: Philly needs to hope that Paul George goes there because they don’t have much of a roster right now. It’s time for a third star/new group of role players.
Phoenix Suns: Hopefully the Suns can stay healthy, as president of basketball operations/GM James Jones put together a nice roster of role players to help Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal compete for a championship.
Notes: Mike Budenholzer is now Phoenix’s head coach after firing Frank Vogel. It’s obvious that this group needs to improve defensively (Got swept in the First Round by Minnesota/allowed 118.3 PPG during the series).
Portland Trail Blazers: Development seems to be the main focus for Portland after trading Damian Lillard (Shaedon Sharpe looks solid so far). Do veterans Jerami Grant & Malcolm Brogdon eventually end up getting traded?
Notes: Brogdon heads to Washington for Deni Avdija (also sent over the 14th pick in this year’s draft that ended up being Bub Carrington, a 2028 second, a 2029 first, and a 2030 second). I hope Grant gets dealt soon. Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, and Robert Williams are young enough to stick around on a developing roster, but who knows if they will remain with Portland. I would personally rather build around recent lottery picks like Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Donovan Clingan.
Sacramento Kings: Head coach Mike Brown went with Terence Davis over Davion Mitchell in Game 7 vs. Golden State last playoffs. The Kings have a great offense, but have had a hard time figuring out who their go-to defenders are.
Notes: Davion Mitchell was recently dealt to Toronto, as Keon Ellis ended up having a major role this past season. At this point, I think Sacramento has to trade Kevin Huerter & Harrison Barnes if you’re going to keep starting them.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama is now San Antonio’s franchise guy, so I will be interested to see if players like Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and more of their heavy minute players can fit well enough next to him as time goes by.
Notes: Wemby clearly established himself as that franchise player, but besides Devin Vassell, I’m still wondering who actually stays on this roster long term. Hopefully 2024 #4 pick Stephon Castle can fit and become a starter.
Toronto Raptors: I’m a fan of the job that new head coach Darko Rajakovic has done so far, but it doesn’t look like he can save this current roster. Trading Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Gary Trent Jr. for some nice value is a must.
Notes: Toronto traded Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and others (kept Gary Trent Jr.) for young players that Darko can help develop. I’m really interested to see how much more growth RJ Barrett (24-years-old) & Immanuel Quickley (25-years-old) have left as players.
Utah Jazz: Consistent guard play on both ends will be huge for the Jazz. Keep an eye on the development of youngsters Walker Kessler, Ochai Agbaji, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh as well.
Notes: It’s obvious that Will Hardy is a solid young coach, Lauri Markkanen can play at a All-Star level, and Keyonte George has extremely high potential. However, with the number of young players now on Utah/Danny Ainge in the front office, a big trade seems like a possibility as time goes by.
Washington Wizards: With a new front office, I really do wonder how many players Michael Winger & Will Dawkins see as long term pieces besides Bilal Coulibaly. Also head coach Wes Unseld Jr. is in a weird situation right now with it being a year where he probably wanted to prove himself after two losing seasons, but doesn’t have the roster to progress much better than 35-47.
Notes: Wes Unseld Jr. got fired and now Brian Keefe takes over a team clearly in rebuild mode. Keefe is known for player development, which I think will help this young roster grow each day.
