One Prediction For Every Team In 2023
With the NBA season just a few days away, it’s time to make some predictions. In fact, one prediction for every team in 2023.
Can you believe that the NBA season is starting tonight? I can’t. To celebrate this momentous occasion, I think it’s time to do something rash. Today, I will be making a prediction for every single team; both good and bad. Hopefully I don’t jinx anybody.
Atlanta Hawks – Clint Capela Gets Traded
The Atlanta Hawks have a weird dynamic at their center position. Clint Capela has been one of the most underrated centers in the league for the past few seasons. However, he somewhat declined last season. On Atlanta’s bench is Onyeka Okongwu, the 6th pick from the 2020 NBA Draft.
Okongwu hasn’t gotten too many minutes in his young career, but he’s flashed his athleticism at times and looked like a game-changer on both ends. Capela has never been a standout defender, which is a problem for a Hawks team that needs defense.
Given the Hawks’ defensive shortcomings in recent seasons, it may be time for a change. Capela would be valued by lots of teams around the league. Okongwu is younger and cheaper than Capela, which may push the Hawks, a team who still may have ambitions to extend De’Andre Hunter, to clear some cap space without getting worse. Capela is making around $18-22.2 million for the next three seasons. That’s pretty affordable for most teams.
Okongwu is heading for a bigger role with the Hawks. Maybe they feel like its time for him to really blossom into a two-way stud.
Boston Celtics – They’re Going To Start Slowly
The Celtics’ offseason started off so well, only for everything to crash and burn around them. With Ime Udoka out of the picture, how will this team respond? Not many contenders have had their coaches suspended for a year due to disorderly content with another member of the staff.*
(*Sarcasm*)
Will that be a problem for the Celtics? I’m leaning toward a yes as of right now. How could it not? That’s such a curveball that nobody could have expected. Add in an injury to Robert Williams plus an aging Al Horford, and I don’t think the Celtics will start the season like a bat out of hell.
I still think the Celtics are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Similar to their season arc in 2022, they’ll be unstoppable once they get the ball rolling. We just have to wait and see how long that takes them. That and how long it takes Malcolm Brogdon to get injured.
Brooklyn Nets – Harris & Curry Prove To Be Invaluable
Last season, Joe Harris played just 14 games as he battled a lingering ankle issue. The Nets were 34-34 without Harris, making the fourth fewest threes per game in that span. Joe Harris is one of the best snipers in the NBA, and without him, Brooklyn struggled with spacing.
This season, the Nets have two Joe Harris’ on the roster. Seth Curry provides more of a scoring punch, but he remains an elite shooter like Harris. Even with Durant and Irving, the Nets need more parts to keep the machine chugging along.
Curry and Harris are the glue of this offense. They have to remain healthy for the Nets to really click. Their spacing will also be desperately needed to try and mitigate the ineffectiveness of Ben Simmons. So far, however, the Nets are off to a bad start.
Curry and Harris won’t be ready for Brooklyn’s season opener against the Pelicans. We’ll get to see if my theory is right…right away.
Charlotte Hornets – They’re Going To Blow Things Up
After having two identical seasons in 2021 and 2022, in which the Hornets were one of the worst defenses in the NBA and got blown out in the play-in tournament, the Hornets are primed to take a step back this season. Gordon Hayward’s hair is the analogy for this sorry franchise.
In Boston, Hayward had sleek, beautiful hair. Since joining the Hornets, he now looks like reverse rookie Tim Tebow, minus the hazing. This is what to expect from this team this season. Losing Miles Bridges was just the start.
Outside of Lamelo Ball, this roster is stuck. Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward aren’t going to develop anymore. Adding rookie center Mark Williams from Duke is a start, but the Hornets have too many problems to succeed. It’s time to blow things up.
As soon as they hired Steve Clifford as a head coach, I knew the end times were near. Michael Jordan’s team is again circling the drain – their 18-year drought without a playoff series win will continue. Expect everybody to be gone by the February 10th deadline.
Hayward. Rozier. Oubre. Plumlee. Any notable veteran on this team will swiftly be ushered out the door as the Hornets once again enter a long rebuilding period. At least this time, they have Lamelo Ball??
Chicago Bulls – Patrick Williams Will (Finally) Break Out
The Chicago Bulls were one Rudy Gobert trade away from contending. Alas, they’ll have to settle with Nikola Vucevic. Such is life for Chicago sports teams. But, trading for Gobert likely would have meant parting ways with Patrick Williams. Ever since the Bulls took a massive swing on the forward with the fourth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, they’ve been waiting for him to blossom.
Injuries hindered his development as a sophomore last year. For the Bulls to take the next step, they’ll need Williams’ potential to finally cash in. And he has all the tools to do it.
Williams possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and shooting. He’s both bruising and finesse-oriented. All Williams needs is more touches. I would love to see him get more than 2.4 free throws per game. Being more aggressive and getting to the rim more often would do wonders for his game.
The bottom line is this. 2023 is essentially Williams’ sophomore season, as he played just 17 games in 2022. Chicago is an aging team that doesn’t have too many young players ready to blossom. Williams is one of them, and he would give this team a new wrinkle they desperately need.
And I think he can give them just that.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Caris Levert Will Flop
Cavaliers fans don’t have a lot to complain about. They’re the Eastern Conference’s next big thing. Adding Donovan Mitchell to an already stacked young core will do that for you. I could predict something simple like an Evan Mobley victory lap or a Darius Garland masterclass, but that’s too easy for this team. No, I’m going to be a little more creative (and cynical).
Let’s talk about Caris Levert. After years of the Nets slowly building his trade value, Levert got shipped off. It turns out the grass has not been greener on the other side. Cleveland acquired Levert last trade deadline in the hopes his scoring punch would help them in the postseason. It did not work.
A concerning trend was that Levert was better as a starter than as the 6th man. With Donovan Mitchell in town, Levert will have to be better off the bench. For as talented as Levert is, we haven’t seen any tangible results yet. The Cavs desperately need bench depth, but I don’t have faith that Levert can provide it to them. What a shame. Oh well, time to focus on that young core again.
Dallas Mavericks – Christian Wood Will Thrive
In a nutshell, the Dallas Mavericks swapped Jalen Brunson for Christian Wood in the offseason. Brunson had emerged as Luka’s steady, composed second option in the backcourt. Wood would give the Mavericks a new flavor, giving the Mavericks another do-it-all big who can hopefully pan out better than Porzingis.
The expectations for the Mavericks continue to be championship or bust. If they want to come close to those goals, they’ll need Christian Wood to play at a near All-Star level. That’s a tall task, but I think he’s well equipped to get the job done.
Playing with Luka Doncic is a good recipe for anyone to be productive. Wood’s blend of size, shooting, and post moves make him a nice ying to Luka’s yang. While Wood doesn’t play great defense, he will fill in for Jalen Brunson nicely. Now, let’s hope his reoccurring ankle injuries don’t return.
Denver Nuggets – Jamal Murray Will Be An All-Star
The Denver Nuggets dearly missed Jamal Murray last season. Nikola Jokic didn’t have his running mate, leading to another early playoff exit for a team destined for more. The good news for Nuggets fans is that Murray is back. And I think he’s in for a big season.
The Murray/Jokic duo is one of the best in the NBA. Those handoffs at the top of the key give Murray lots of room to operate. The world is his oyster, and he can do anything he wants. That’s the privilege of playing with Nikola Jokic.
Obviously, we’ll see how Murray’s knee holds up throughout the season. But, with his blend of shooting and efficiency, I think Murray won’t miss a beat. He’s the late-game killer this team missed last season. If everything goes right, Jamal Murray will assert himself as one of the best young guards in the NBA. The next step? Getting the Nuggets to the NBA Finals.
Detroit Pistons – Jalen Duren Becomes The Franchise Center
Cade Cunningham looked pretty lonely on offense last season. So, the front office gave him some friends in Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. While Ivey’s athleticism is jaw-dropping in its own right, I want to talk about Jalen Duren.
As much as I love Isaiah Stewart down low, Jalen Duren has a chance to become the franchise center in Motown. At 6’10”, it’s hard to find bigs with as much athleticism as Duren. While Stewart got a majority of the minutes in the preseason, I think Duren will usurp him at some point in the regular season.
There’s going to be no shortage of minutes for Duren. The Pistons are rebuilding and will give him all the attention and development he deserves. In the modern NBA, Duren seems like a better option than the undersized Stewart. I have a good feeling that we’ll be seeing a lot more of Duren as the season progresses, as he asserts himself as the franchise center.
(Note: I forgot that Bojan Bogdanovic is on this team. Weird)
Golden State Warriors – Jonathan Kuminga Emerges
A few months ago, I talked about the Warriors’ plan for repeating as champions. Long story short, they’re relying on young guys like Jonathan Kuminga to develop. Last season, Kuminga was played in spurts but was too raw to make much of an impact. That’s the case for most players who were born in 2002.
(That’s four years before me. What am I doing with my life?)
Kuminga is a rare blend of athleticism and brute strength. Last year was the classic frustrating rookie season. You knew he had the talent in him, but he could never piece things together. Since the Warriors need bench depth, this is Kuminga’s chance to leave his mark.
If he can improve his off-the-dribble game and shooting, there’s no telling how good Kuminga could be in this Warriors system. Not to mention that he had his moments defensively, too. In short, expect big things from the Kum bucket this season.
Houston Rockets – Jae’Sean Tate Has A Surprise Year
The Houston Rockets are going to very, very, very bad this season. That should come to the surprise of no one. One of their more overlooked “youngsters” is Jae’Sean Tate. The Ohio native was undrafted coming out of college but still managed to make an All-Rookie team in 2021, becoming just the second undrafted player to do so.
Tate has been a steady presence at the forward position for the Rockets. This season, however, I’m hoping for a boost in production. Sure, all the attention should go to a guy like Alperen Sengun. I’m as excited to watch him as the next guy.
But don’t forget about Tate. His best skill is getting to the rim. I’m hoping he can branch out more this season. Whether it be honing in on his below-average 3-PT shot or improving his defense, I would love to see him mold into a more well-rounded player in 2023.
The 27-year-old is one of the best stories in the NBA, coming from the childhood tragedy of losing his mother to playing in the NBA. Now here’s a guy that’s easy to root for. What’s more, is that I think he’s ready for a bigger role in H-Town.
Indiana Pacers – Tyrese Haliburton Will Put Up A 20/10 Season
Tyrese Haliburton is the new showrunner in Indiana. I, for one, couldn’t be happier. Indiana has put their franchise in the right hands. Not only is Haliburton beaming with charisma, but he’s also the model point guard for a young team.
Haliburton was quietly dominant as a Pacer to end the season, putting up numbers that nobody could have predicted coming out of Iowa State. (Except for me, of course.) In any sense, Haliburton is running things in Indiana. That’s a good thing. This is the guy you would want.
I’m not expecting Haliburton to stop. In fact, I’m predicting some CP-3-esque numbers. 20 points and 10 assists per game while keeping his game highly efficient. That’s doable for him. Last season was the trailer. This year is the movie.
Los Angeles Clippers – Paul George Is Their Best Player
Kawhi Leonard’s departure from Toronto is looking more and more like a mistake. Even robots make mistakes. It’s shocking, I know. With Kawhi still on the mend from his ACL tear last season, we don’t know how he’s going to return.
Not even Kawhi’s lengthy history of load managing can assure him of a speedy recovery. It will likely take him time to get back to what he once was, if he can even do that. So, that means that Paul George will again have to take up the mantle of the best player on this team.
George has always had the talent to be the best player on a title contending team. If not for his injuries last year the Clippers may have made the playoffs. This season, however, George can again prove his haters wrong by being the silent leader for this team. Think of him as the Grima Wormtongue of this team.
Los Angeles Lakers – Russell Westbrook Gets Released
Will things on the Lakers get so dire that this happens? I would like to think so. Not only is this team doomed to fail, they’re already falling apart. Dennis Schroder is set to miss time with an injury. Russell Westbrook just got injured, too.
Speaking of Westbrook, he’s still here, somehow. Even though he can’t coexist with Lebron and AD and is more cancerous now than ever, who cares? He won an MVP a few years ago! The Lakers have to try and win with him. If only it were that simple.
Although the Lakers have tried to trade him multiple times, and they’ve benched him late in games…they’re still going to trot Westbrook out there. For the time being. Look, I think this prediction is pretty far-fetched. But if nothing is going right, why not get rid of the guy you’re already trying so hard to get rid of? Just a thought.
Memphis Grizzlies – JJJ Puts Everything Together
The Grizzlies are a never-ending factory of depth. They’re the de facto role player university of the NBA. No matter who they draft or who they sign, they’re going to get better in Memphis. That’s just how it works.
But, to win it all, you need more than just good role players. You need your best players to step up. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane have both done their parts in this department. It’s time for Jaren Jackson Jr. to return the favor.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has all the talents to succeed. He’s a stretch big who is one of the best shot-blockers in the league. There’s only one problem. He can’t stay on the floor. Foul trouble has plagued Jackson so much in his career that Taylor Jenkins can’t keep him on the floor without risking sitting him for entire halves.
If Jackson could just cut down on the silly, nonsensical fouls, the Grizzlies would already be a better team. That and if Jackson decides to re-find his shooting touch.
Miami Heat – Nikola Jovic Makes An All-Rookie Team
Who cares if he hasn’t (technically) graduated high school yet? I haven’t, and you’re reading my articles. Nikola Jovic, the late first-rounder who has no relation to the 2x reigning MVP, has a chance to crack Miami’s rotation.
The foreign forward has looked good in the preseason, displaying his shooting range and passing ability. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo have gushed about him, which is a good measure of skill in my book. The Heat may have found themselves another gem.
There will be a lot of guys vying for bench time, with Tyler Herro heading to the starting lineup after his lengthy contract extension. Jovic is one of the guys trying to get those minutes. If he can play meaningful minutes on a good team, I think he has a chance to make his mark in the NBA from the jump. Making an All-Rookie team isn’t out of the question.
Milwaukee Bucks – They Trade For A New Center
Will Brook Lopez be enough for this team to win a title again? The Bucks could always turn to put Giannis at center, but having some insurance never hurt. Bobby Portis has been a fine addition to the team, but I feel like they need more help down low.
They tried Serge Ibaka and Boogie Cousins last year, but those were band-aids on a compound fracture. GM Jon Horst will need to find a more viable solution for this team to win another title. Guys like Jakob Poeltl and Myles Turner are entering the final years of their respective contracts.
Other smaller options could be Thomas Bryant from the Lakers (FA this summer) or Isaiah Hartenstein (FA in 2024) with the Knicks. Whatever it is, I don’t know if the Bucks can pin their hopes on an aging player like Lopez any longer. It’s time for some new blood.
Minnesota Timberwolves – D’Angelo Russell Falls Out Of Place
The Minnesota Timberwolves have shot out of a cannon, rapidly rebuilding. In this time, it seems like D’Angelo Russell has fallen out of place. Russell will always be remembered as the return for Andrew Wiggins, who has since blossomed in Golden State.
Last season, Russell struggled to score the ball efficiently as he juggled being the 3rd option and trying to facilitate the offense. Adding Rudy Gobert only means more chefs in the kitchen. It leaves Russell in limbo. Sure, Minnesota needs his scoring, but not at that price tag.
Russell is getting paid $31.3 million dollars this season before becoming a free agent in the offseason. I’m going to assume that the Timberwolves aren’t going to keep him past this season, right? It doesn’t seem like they need him anymore. Whatever the future holds for Minnesota, I cannot envision D-Lo being apart of them.
New Orleans Pelicans – CJ McCollum Has A Career Year at PG
CJ McCollum finally escaped from the desolate hell called Portland. In New Orleans, he got to try out a new role as the veteran leader. He also got to play more point guard than ever, and thrived in that role. Not only did McCollum score in bunches as a Pelican, he was facilitating the ball better than ever;
24.3 points ~ 5.8 assists ~ 58% TS ~ 5.3 OBPM
Now, with Zion Williamson coming back into the picture, I don’t know if those numbers will continue. But, I think that McCollum found something he liked at point guard. I never thought of him as the primary facilitator for a team, but hey, there’s a first for everything.
In Portland, McCollum more or less repeated the same seasons over and over again. He has a chance to change things up in New Orleans. They’re going to need somebody to fill the mantle of point guard. That guy will have to be CJ McCollum.
New York Knicks – Quentin Grimes Breaks Out
Quentin Grimes was part of the reason Donovan Mitchell isn’t a Knick. Should that make Knicks fans angry or sad? I don’t know. That’s up to them to decide. Grimes was one of the few bright spots for New York last year. I didn’t love his selection in the draft, but he proved to be a solid 3&D option.
Tom Thibodeau broke his curse of never playing young guys. This means he is the next big thing. Outside of RJ Barrett, the Knicks are dying for wings. They don’t have anything out there worthwhile. This is where Grimes comes in.
Most of Grimes’ field goal attempts last season were threes. He averaged just 0.4 free throws per game. I would love to see him attack the rim more and put more pressure on defenses. On the bright side, he looked good as a perimeter defender last season. For once, the Knicks may have found something with one of their draft picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder – SGA Becomes An All-Star
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves to be on a team other than OKC. As the Thunder continue their never ending rebuild, it seems like SGA continues to lack the national attention he deserves. You’ll be stressed to find a more slippery ball-handler and perimeter scorer than SGA.
While he failed to reach the heights of his utterly ridiculous 2021 season, SGA was once again All-Star material last year. Without Chet Holmgren this season, the offense will continue to run through him. Shai’s partnership with Josh Giddey should continue to develop, too.
The Thunder won’t win enough games for anyone to care about them. I’m hoping that SGA can stay healthy and make an All-Star team. He deserves it. The 23-year-old lacks the attention he deserves, but this may be the year he gets some more time in the limelight.
Orlando Magic – Jonathan Isaac Becomes An Albatross
Jonathan Isaac will return to the NBA for the first time since the NBA Bubble. His knee injury has taken him out of play for two entire seasons. We didn’t see him in the preseason, but I’m sure we’ll see him in 2023. At some point. Maybe?
Anyway, remember when the Magic paid this guy nearly $70 million dollars in 2020? Yeah, me too. Sure, the contract isn’t fully guaranteed, but talk about an albatross. This contract is amongst the worst in the league for the value Orlando is getting back.
Isaac had a solid 2020 campaign, but after missing two years, can he build on the promise he had built up? It’s hard to say. Isaac got paid $17.4 million dollars to sit on the sidelines last season. He’ll get paid $16 million dollars to maybe suit up this season.
Talk about value, am I right?
Philadelphia 76ers – De’Anthony Melton Saves The Bench
The 76ers got one of the best value additions of the offseason by adding De’Anthony Melton from the Grizzlies. After lacking scoring from their second unit, Melton has a chance to become a legend in Philadelphia. Once the Eagles eventually crash and burn, Philly fans will need somebody to cheer.
That guy may be Melton. Outside of a potential MVP-Harden sighting, there aren’t many ways for the 76ers to get better. But Melton has a chance to buoy one of the least dangerous bench units in the NBA;
Philadelphia’s Bench Last Season
- 27.2 ppg (28th)
- 43.3% FG (20th)
- 5.7 assists (27th)
While Melton somewhat regressed last season, he still provides a scoring punch this team needs. He can shoot, score off the dribble, and help facilitate the offense. Melton knows his role and will play it to a T. He won’t get in the way of the flow. That’s the beauty of role players like himself.
Again, the 76ers can’t get much better with their cap restrictions. But Daryl Morey may have struck gold with another one of his moves. Melton has a chance to really help this Philly team try and take that next step in the East.
Phoenix Suns – Chris Paul Starts His Decline
After Chris Paul faltered in the playoffs, the Suns weren’t the same team. For years, people have been trying to say that Paul will decline. It hasn’t happened yet, but I’m hopping on the trend. Not that I would be against seeing a 37-year-old CP-3 kick ass, but the warning signs are there.
Paul missed 17 games last season. Don’t expect the Suns to be pushing him too much in the regular season. They’re going to save everything they can for the postseason. On top of that, can Paul stay healthy? We’ve seen so many older players just break down because their bodies can’t deal with the stresses of the season.
How many years does Paul have left? Last season may have been his last real shot to get a title? Does that weigh on him at all? I mean, I know it would be hard for me to get over something like that. Whatever the case may be, I don’t think Chris Paul will lead the league in assists per game again. Now let’s see just how wrong I am.
Portland Trail Blazers – Shaedon Sharpe Has A Big Role
The preseason did not encourage me about this team. One of the few good things I saw was Shaedon Sharpe. His ‘holy shit’ athleticism was on display numerous times. While I worried about injuries for a fleeting moment as he soared through the air, that feeling passed.
Sharpe is the real deal. While he still needs a lot of developing, he’s the most exciting rookie the Blazers have drafted since Dame. That’s an accomplishment in its own right. Since the Blazers will be mediocre at best this season, I thought about Sharpe’s role with this team more.
Sharpe won’t start, but he could be the spark off the bench most nights. Rodney Hood excelled in that role a couple of seasons ago. The most important thing the Blazers must do with Sharpe is to play him. I don’t want to see him rotting away on the bench for half the season.
Since my expectations for this team aren’t very high, I think Sharpe has a chance to play a more substantial role than previously expected.
Sacramento Kings – Mike Brown Saves The Defense
Most NBA coaches have an identity that they follow. Mike Brown is a defensive guru. He was the coach during Lebron’s first stint in Cleveland, leading one of the best defensive teams in the league. Over in Golden State, Brown proved to be one of the best assistant coaches in the NBA.
It’s no secret that the Sacramento Kings need defense. Under Luke Walton, they were one of the worst units in the league. They couldn’t guard parked cars on most nights. That’s how bad it was. This roster isn’t built to play defense, but that may change under Brown.
Defensive-minded coaches usually find a way to make the most out of what they have. Brown will have to be creative in how he manages this side of the ball. But Kings fans should expect much better fundamentals and effort on this end. That should lead to better results. If the Kings want to break their postseason drought, it starts on the defensive side of the ball.
San Antonio Spurs – Devin Vassell Takes The Next Step
After watching Victor Wembanyama play once, the Spurs are tanking for him. San Antonio will be one of the worst teams in the league by a country mile. One of the few guys worth watching is Devin Vassell. Vassell improved mightily last season, and you can expect more of that in 2023.
A nice blend of size, shooting, defense, and ball-handling, Vassell improved across the board last year. We saw him not only take more than double the shot attempts but improve his efficiency from his rookie season. That’s pretty impressive. So, what am I looking for this season?
More of the same. Vassell isn’t someone who takes a lot of shots in the paint. Last season, just 25.7% of his shots came from within 10 feet of the basket. I’m hoping he commands this area more as the Spurs hand him the keys to the offense.
Toronto Raptors – Fred VanVleet Takes A Step Back
Fred VanVleet isn’t someone who NBA fans love, but I feel like we don’t talk about his flaws enough. Let’s call him what he is. An inefficient, 3-PT shot chucker that isn’t one of the best point guards in the league. There. I said it.
VanVleet’s lack of size continue to hinder his efficiency. It doesn’t help that he shoots nearly ten threes a night, causing for some rough shooting outings more often than you’d like. While I can admire VanVleet’s toughness, I think he’s holding this team back.
If the Raptors had a more pass-first point guard who took less shots, I think they’d be better off. While VanVleet is technically in the prime of his career, I don’t think he’s going to change
Utah Jazz – Walker Kessler Proves His Worth
Washington Wizards – Deni Avdija Makes An All-Defensive Team
Do You Agree With Your Team’s Predictions? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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