By Peyton Schultze

The Clippers face sky high expectations heading into the new year as the organization looks to capture their first title in franchise history (via Sporting News).

On Tuesday, one of the most anticipated seasons in NBA history tips off when the Toronto Raptors raise their first banner in franchise history at Scotiabank Arena. Behind the infamous fans of “Jurassic Park” and Drake likely sitting courtside for the franchise’s shining moment, Tuesday night will finally open up The Association’s regular season for all to bear witness. Don’t look back now; NBA basketball is back.

From the drafting of rookie superstar Zion Williamson by the New Orleans Pelicans to the shocking free agency decision by Kawhi Leonard to spurn his former franchise in Toronto in favor of the Los Angeles Clippers, it was one truly eventful and maddening offseason for the NBA. However, with the mighty Golden State Warriors now depleted and plenty of teams suddenly emerging into the title conversation, this season looks like it could be as wide open as ever without a clear title favorite. There’s new superstars on new teams. There’s plenty of chaos among the league’s most notable teams. There’s a fresh batch of exciting rookie players. There’s even very few bad teams, making the previous “tanking” sensation all but worthless coming into the season. For the first time in years, everyone has at least a fair shot of capturing the Larry O’Brien trophy. From October to June, here’s our full preview of what is to come in what should be an awesome race to the finish line for all 30 teams.

Conference Predictions

Western Conference

The Houston Rockets figure to be one of the most interesting teams in the league this year with the elite duo of James Harden and Russell Westbrook (via SI).

1. Denver Nuggets

Denver was the surprise team of last season, and the team from the Mile High City once again figures to be a title contender in 2019. The Nuggets have a ton of solid players all around their roster, including two studs in their starting lineup with the feisty Jamal Murray and combo guard Gary Harris. Murray is an emerging superstar in the league who showed some flashes of stardom during big moments last year, whereas Harris is a two-way player that is slowly entering the conversation as one of the best little-known guards in the league. However, this team truly runs through center Nikola Jokic, a top five MVP candidate for this season, as his rare and unique ability to create plays on offense is nearly unmatched by any big man in basketball. With a young core of Murray, Harris, and Jokic, this is a team that could run through the Western Conference on their way to home court advantage in the playoffs, making them a tough team to beat behind a loud home crowd.

2. Utah Jazz

As usual, the Utah Jazz remain a mainstay in the Western Conference playoff picture, yet they have made some big improvements in the offseason that have raised their status as a contender to make the Finals in the West. By adding point guard Mike Conley to a group with other young superstars such as defensive stud Rudy Gobert and explosive guard Donovan Mitchell, Utah has one of the best starting lineups in the league under head coach Quin Snyder. The Jazz also look like they could arguably be the best defensive team in basketball, as they have been in recent seasons, which could be a major factor when the playoffs roll around and Utah has to match up with the likes of dominant offensive players such as Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and James Harden. If Mitchell and Conley end up forming one of the league’s best frontcourts and Gobert stays healthy on his way to another Defensive Player of the Year award, the Jazz could end up having a year for the ages. They may not be the most recognizable team in the NBA, but Utah has sneaky potential to not only dominate in the regular season, but to shock some of the big-market teams in the league once the postseason comes around.

3. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers, without question, had the biggest offseason of any team in the league, as they made the spectacular moves of acquiring Paul George from Oklahoma City and signing the reigning Finals MVP in the form of Kawhi Leonard. Both players join a Doc Rivers-led team that shocked teams around the league with their physical and intense style of play, which even gave the Warriors some fits in last year’s playoffs. Although they may not have as great of a regular season as many expect them to (George will miss the first month, and Leonard will likely not play more than 65 games), this is a team that is built for the playoffs with a great defense and two superstar talents. With other role players such as Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Beverley, and Landry Shamet also helping the duo of Leonard and George, the Clippers will face sky high expectations that will be hard to match. On paper, this could quite possibly be the best team in the NBA. However, with a checkered playoff past and with some potential chemistry issues with it being the duo’s first year as teammates in Los Angeles, it will still be a tough journey to a world championship for one of the league’s favorites for the Larry O’Brien trophy.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

While the Clippers may have been the team that stole most of the offseason headlines in Los Angeles, the Lakers have been one of the most talked about teams in all of sports in the past year since LeBron James arrived in town. After missing the playoffs a season ago and then trading Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart for All-NBA forward/center Anthony Davis, the Lakers now look poised for a bounce back year that could display a resurgent and angry version of James under new head coach Frank Vogel. With James and Davis playing together in what could be the NBA’s best combination of superstar players, Los Angeles’ most successful team should be a soap opera full of fun, excitement, and even a bit of chaos perhaps. Nevertheless, with other important players such as Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, JaVale McGee, and Rajon Rondo likely to have a major role on this year’s roster, the Lakers look like a true title contender that teams could struggle to match up with all year long. Like the Clippers, this is a team that is built to dominate in the postseason, and it should be quite an exciting year at the STAPLES Center for the Purple and Gold.

5. Houston Rockets

Whether they rise above the noise or completely crumble to expectations, the Houston Rockets are going to be awesome to watch with James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the floor together. As former superstar teammates together with the Thunder, the two elite guards will once again join forces and look to get the Rockets over the hump and into the Finals. As the NBA’s version of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockets have one of the deepest teams in the league full of castoff veterans and unlikely heroes, all of whom have really helped the Harden-led Rockets become a perennial contender in the West. After trading away point guard Chris Paul in the deal for Westbrook, head coach Mike D’Antoni will once again try to manage all of the personalities on this team, as other returning players such as Eric Gordon, Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, and Austin Rivers will look to continue their success with the organization. Houston has struggled in the playoffs in recent memory, but without a clear favorite and with two of the best players in basketball on the same team, maybe this could finally be the Rockets’ year to break loose and capture that elusive world title.

6. Golden State Warriors

With Kevin Durant now in Brooklyn and Klay Thompson likely out for a large portion of the year with a torn ACL, the Golden State Warriors may be in a little bit of a transitional period this season. However, this is still a sleeping giant that might glaze over the regular season, which could be one of the more interesting stories to watch in the league. While they won’t capture as much media attention as the past few season, there is a solid chance of a possibly-even-better Stephen Curry taking his game to the next level again, as he will return to his prior status as the #1 option for the Dubs. The Warriors will have a ton of young players in the lineup with the loss of previous veteran leadership such as Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, and it will also be interesting to see how newly-acquired D’Angelo Russell meshes with Curry and Thompson, the best shooting backcourt of all-time. The Warriors may not dominate as much as they have in past years, but they will be a team that others fear in the playoffs if they find a way to once again enter postseason play in their first season at the state-of-the-art Chase Center in San Francisco.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

Weaving their way through a very tough Western Conference last season, the Trail Blazers found themselves in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 before falling to the superb Warriors without Kevin Durant in the lineup. Not much has changed in Portland this year, although the Blazers could easily improve if they get a resurgent version of center Hassan Whiteside. If Whiteside can help fill the void left by Jusuf Nurkić’s leg injury that will carry over into this season, the Blazers could once again surprise some teams and make a deep playoff run. However, it is hard to ignore the fact that this team will go just as far as Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum take them. Forming the third best guard backcourt in the league, Lillard and McCollum have proven themselves as players that can possibly help carry a team deep in the playoffs. It is truly hard to say if Portland can find a way to get over their next hump in the form of a Finals appearance in a loaded Western Conference, but never count out what this dangerous team can do as the season moves along.

8. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas could easily be viewed as one of the most unpredictable teams heading into this year, but they seem like legit candidates for the team that could truly emerge and surprise some people. A major reason for this is due to the superstar potential that forward Luka Dončić displayed last season in winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award, and the elite forward could even take a greater leap forward in helping his team to a playoff berth. Accompanied in the starting lineup for the Mavericks is center Kristaps Porzingis, who had flashed true superstar potential during his too-short tenure with the New York Knicks. Although Porzingis has had some off the court trouble in this past offseason, there is a great chance that the duo of Dončić and Porzingis could easily become one of the best in the entire league. Other than Dončić, Porizingis, and forward Tim Hardaway Jr., the Mavericks have some question marks all across the board on how their new season will truly pan out. Nevertheless, look for veteran head coach Rick Carlisle to get this organization back on track and into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans may one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2019 (via Flipboard).

9. New Orleans Pelicans

Prior to Zion Williamson’s preseason knee injury that has sprouted some major concerns about his short-term and long-term health, this looked like a team that could sneak into the postseason with a very deep roster full of youth and excitement. Jrue Holiday will likely be an All-Star this year as the main focal point on offense, and Lonzo Ball should also be much improved on a team that will love to run the court and generate turnovers on defense (two of the elder Ball’s strengths). However, this team does not have a ton of shooting outside of veteran stud J.J. Redick, which could be a bit of an issue if Holiday, Ball, Williamson, or former Laker Brandon Ingram fail to meet the high expectations for this group. Nevertheless, if Williamson comes back at full health and provides a huge jolt of energy to a previously sleepy fanbase, this team could really take off with veteran head coach Alvin Gentry at the helm for the foreseeable future. New Orleans may be able to get into the playoffs, and they will certainly be one of the most exciting teams in the league to watch.

10. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have truly been a model of perfection and consistency over the past two decades, but their 22-year long streak of playoff appearances may come to an end this season with so many great teams in the West. San Antonio is simply Gregg Popovich’s organization, but they do not have a ton of marquee players outside of DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge that figure to be in the conversation for an All-Star appearance. However, the Spurs will benefit with the return of underrated point guard Dejounte Murray, who missed last season with an injury and should contribute in a big way. Other players such as Patty Mills, Trey Lyles, and Derrick White also figure to have a significant role in the rotation, yet the Spurs do not have a ton of untapped potential among their roster that other teams happen to have in the West. You can’t ever completely count out the Spurs to make the playoffs as they look to continue their long running streak, but it will surely be an uphill climb toward playoff contention for the league’s model organization.

11. Sacramento Kings

It is truly unfortunate that the Kings have to play in the Western Conference, because Sacramento would certainly be a playoff team in the East. Without a whole lot of wiggle room in the playoff picture for the West, the Kings may miss out on the playoffs once again in head coach Luke Walton’s first year with Sacramento. The Kings have plenty of very nice players across the board, including shooting guard Buddy Hield (who wants a new contract) and experienced forward Harrison Barnes, both of whom have helped form a relatively young core of players. However, this team has two true building blocks in the form of speedster De’Aaron Fox and athletic forward Marvin Bagley III. While Fox has a great chance of improving his game and possibly making his first All Star appearance, Bagley should also be in for a big year in Walton’s offense if he can find a way to stay healthy. Sacramento has some hope for the future that will show all season long, but the West is just a little too good to include the Kings in the playoffs this season.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves

In the middle of some inner organization chaos involving the trading of Jimmy Butler last year, the Timberwolves completely failed to meet expectations and missed out on the playoffs once again. Minnesota heads into this season with a lot less noise under head coach Ryan Saunders, but will still certainly face a large climb toward the Western Conference. Outside of their phenomenal centerpiece in Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota lacks a ton of true impactful talents other than Andrew Wiggins, Jeff Teague, and Robert Covington. Towns is a top 20 player in basketball and a perennial All Star, but the Timberwolves may be tempted to deal the stud forward/center if the team begins to fall apart without a whole lot of hope. With Wiggins failing to live up to his career hype and without another clear star to help carry this team along with Towns, Minnesota could face a long season ahead with a potential rebuild looming in the distance.

13. Phoenix Suns

It is a truly a make-or-break year for the Phoenix Suns, and this team may have to at least have a chance at making the playoffs if they want to keep some of their core players. Guard Devin Booker is a premier young player in the NBA, and his time as a Sun could be up very shortly if Phoenix doesn’t take any kind of step forward this season. Elsewhere, the Suns will run out other players such as Kelly Oubre Jr., Mikal Bridges, and Ricky Rubio in their starting lineup, helping to surround Booker and solid second-year center Deandre Ayton. With a solid center/guard duo of Booker and Ayton, the Suns face the major challenge of somehow rising into the playoff picture, but at least have more of a chance then other rebuilding teams. It will be nearly impossible for the Suns to make it to the playoffs, and Booker could be on his way out if the team sinks to the bottom of the conference.

14. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis has some solid building blocks with several young players, but their roster is simply too young at this point to make any real noise in the conference. Rookie Ja Morant has a great chance of having an awesome rookie year, and he’ll join an interesting group of young players such as Jaren Jackson and Dillon Brooks. The combination of Morant and Jackson will be very solid this year, perhaps even leading to some upset wins for the Grizzlies, but they really have no chance of making the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference. It’s not quite time for the Grizzlies to rise in the West, but they may show some flashes of hope for a bright future in Memphis.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder

It should only be a matter of time before Oklahoma City explores trading point guard Chris Paul, therefore making this suddenly incompetent roster one of the worst in the league. By trading both Russell Westbrook and Paul George, two superstar players in basketball, the Thunder may be sitting at the bottom of the league for one of the first times since their move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. Without Durant, Westbrook, George, or Harden roaming the court for the Thunder any longer, it is going to be especially harder for this team to even compete in the West. Don’t expect much from this team this season, as it could easily be head coach Billy Donovan’s final season with the team.

Eastern Conference

Kemba Walker will be called upon to help turn around the fortunes of the Boston Celtics after a disappointing season a year ago (via Flipboard).

1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks truly ran wild all through the NBA last season but were finally slowed down in the Eastern Conference Finals before falling at the hands of Kawhi Leonard and the eventual champions in the Toronto Raptors. Led by the ever-so-motivated Giannis Antetokounmpo, last year’s league MVP, the Bucks will surely be out for revenge this season as they look to get to the Finals for the first time since 1974. The Greek Freak is arguably the best player in the league right now with one of the most unique skillsets in NBA history, and he will likely take his game to another level after another offseason of training and focus. This could be truly scary for opposing teams, especially as the Bucks also return several veteran players that were important a season ago to help out their youthful stud. Milwaukee will miss guard Malcolm Brogdon, but the Bucks will turn more of their attention toward using the skillsets of Wesley Matthews, Brook Lopez, George Hill, and more in the league’s best three-point attack from a season ago. However, Giannis and 2018 breakout Khris Middleton are still the soul of this team, and the Bucks will likely go as far as their two All-Stars will take them. The Bucks will be even more hungry for a title after last season’s end result, and it should truly be a race to the finish for Milwaukee in the upcoming season.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

Philly has the best starting lineup in the NBA entering the start of the regular season with some rare size and strength that is rarely seen in today’s game. The 76ers’ true star, of course, is once again center Joel Embiid, one of the faces of the league. If Embiid stays healthy and on the court all season, he could once again put up MVP type numbers. Helping out Embiid among the starters are Josh Richardson, Al Horford, and Tobias Harris, all of whom are key contributors and journeyman veterans with a lot of experience. Richardson is the lesser known of the group, but even he has a lot of untapped potential that he has not been able to quite show yet. He will certainly get his chance to shine on a team that lacks shooting though, and he could emerge as a very important cog on this team. However, the true x-factor for Philadelphia is point guard Ben Simmons. As one of the most controversial players in the league who has a ton of talent, Simmons must improve his game from a season ago in order to help take this team to the Finals. If he can improve his shot and become at least respectable from the outside, the sky is the limit for the young player. The 76ers’ bench could ultimately be their downfall with a lack of deep talent, but this should be a premier team in the league that ranks among the most lethal title contenders.

3. Boston Celtics

The Celtics were one of the league’s most disappointing teams last season, but there is some new hope on the horizon after the free agent signing of point guard Kemba Walker. Walker joins a relatively young roster along with solid young forward Jayson Tatum and slasher Jaylen Brown (fresh off a new extension), and the Celtics remain one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference heading into the season. With All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford now gone and other players being forced into the spotlight such as Gordon Hayward, Walker and the Celtics should look a lot more different than they did a year ago when it seemed like the rest of the league had caught up with head coach Brad Stevens. This could force the Celtics’ young core to have to step up in a big way, which could also result in an All-Star appearance from Tatum after a slow second year. Boston is still a contender to win it all and secure their 18th title in franchise history, but it may take a while to realize just how good this version of the Celtics will be.

4. Indiana Pacers

Indiana was one of the most well-run teams a season ago, surging into the playoffs under head coach Nate McMillan despite losing superstar Victor Oladipo to injury. The Pacers once again look like a possible threat in the East this season, and Indiana could truly rise to their full potential once Oladipo returns to the Pacers’ lineup at full speed. Once he is back, he’ll join up with his new backcourt mate in guard Malcolm Brogdon, who excelled with the Bucks last season. Elsewhere, the Pacers still have some very good players all across their roster such as Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren, and Myles Turner, all of whom had a major role on the Pacers last season. If Indiana can get equal or more production from these players once again, the Pacers have a great chance of once again being a top four team in the conference. Will it be enough for them to make a run to the Finals though? That remains to be seen, but it should be an exciting year for the Pacers once Oladipo returns.

5. Miami Heat

It may be a bit of surprise to see Miami all the way up as the projected 5th seed in the conference, but the Heat should be an improved team that feeds off the poor competition around them. Perhaps no team in the league made more of a surprising move for a star in the offseason than the Heat did by acquiring Jimmy Butler, one of the top 25 players in basketball. Butler has a growing reputation around the league as a bit of a headcase for his team, but his personality should blend very well with the culture around Miami created by Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra. Luckily for Butler and the Heat, Miami has several breakout candidates in high-flier Bam Adebayo and rookie Tyler Herro that should make a huge difference for the Heat this season. This Heat team already is surrounded by a bit of controversy with the suspension of Dion Waiters for the first game of the season, so Miami will need to clean up their act early on to solve any lingering issues. Jimmy Butler’s leadership and on-court performance will force all eyes onto him this season now that Dwyane Wade is retired, and we will really find out just how far he can single-handedly take this Miami Heat team.

6. Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn does not have any real shot of making a ton of noise this season due to Kevin Durant being ruled out for the year with a torn Achilles, but the Nets should be an interesting team to watch all season long. With superstar Kyrie Irving taking over at point guard for the now-Warrior D’Angelo Russell, the Nets should make the playoffs for the second straight year with an intriguing group of players around him. Irving struggled to lead the Celtics’ young group of players a season ago, which make it very interesting to see if he can really push that aspect of his game forward despite his past struggles as “the guy” on a team. Luckily, the Nets have some poised young players that should fit nicely alongside Irving, such as Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie, all of whom had big years last season on one of the league’s surprise teams. Irving will also be helped out by veteran center DeAndre Jordan, who should help fill the void of KD’s absence from a veteran leadership standpoint. It is hard to have a ton of expectations for a team that won’t have its best player for the whole season, but the Nets should still be an exciting draw that could have fans of New York City’s best team on their feet all season long.

7. Toronto Raptors

The defending world champions may have a bit of a drop-off due to the loss of Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, but this is still a very talented and proven team that is worthy of making the playoffs. Led by head coach Nick Nurse, the Raptors have a solid and deep rotation of players that can put up a fight against any team in the league on any given night. Longtime Raptor Kyle Lowry is the unquestioned leader of the group, and his leadership was on display all throughout last year’s Finals in a six game series win over the mighty Warriors. Lowry will be helped out by the talents of Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Fred VanVlett, all of whom have successful careers that should make the Raptors a playoff team again, Nevertheless, the headliner of the group is forward Pascal Siakam, who burst onto the season last year and helped the Raptors to a title. If Siakam takes another step forward and continues his superstar growth, we could be looking at a top 20 player in the game. Toronto should still be a capable team of making the playoffs by the year’s end, but watch out in case this team struggles and decides to blow it up by shipping off some of their experienced veterans in order to bring in some young, quality assets.

8. Chicago Bulls

Every year in the NBA, there is always that one team that arrives onto the scene with a fresh and young group of players that are ready to explode. After years of misery since Derrick Rose was in his prime years in the Windy City, the Bulls could be the league’s biggest surprise this year in a very weak Eastern Conference. The Bulls were not very good by any means last year, but they did show some significant improvement in the second half of the season that gave some hope for the future. Now, with rookie stud Coby White joining a high-flying core of athletic talents such as Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr., and Wendell Carter Jr., the Bulls may have a chance to get back into the playoffs due to some poor competition around them. With that being said, the NBA is simply just better when the Bulls are at least relevant, and a return to the playoffs could be a significant stepping stone for a franchise that has treaded water in recent seasons. The Bulls won’t do much this season even if they do make the playoffs, but they will display an exciting future with their young group that could attract free agents to head to Chicago in the coming offseason.

Atlanta may not be a top team in the East, but Trae Young and the Hawks should be one of the more entertaining teams this season (via The Undefeated).

9. Orlando Magic

Orlando really snuck their way into the playoffs last season and were even able to steal a win on the road from the eventual champions in the Toronto Raptors. The Magic will not face a lot of pressure once again this season, and they could possibly fight to make the playoffs for the second straight year with a solid collection of players. Center Nikola Vucevic is the Magic’s best player and still one of the best big men in the league, and he should likely have another All-Star season for Orlando. In addition, the Magic still have the likes of Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier, and DJ Augustin in the starting lineup alongside Vucevic, which should keep them in a lot of games. However, one major story to follow for the season is how well Orlando can develop their young talent in Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba, and Markelle Fultz. If Isaac keeps performing at a high level and the other two players (especially Fultz) can rise above expectations and become real contributors in the rotation, the Magic could shock the world and be among the top six teams in the Eastern Conference. Orlando will be an interesting team to follow all season long, especially as they look to build on their success from last year under veteran head coach Steve Clifford.

10. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks were not a good team by any means last season, but rookie point guard Trae Young showed some real promise toward a bright future in Atlanta. As the face of the franchise heading into this season, Young will help run the show for a very interesting young group of players and should make the first All-Star appearance of his promising young career. Helping out Young will be two young rookies in Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter, both of whom will be a huge part of the future for the Hawks and will likely be thrown into the starting lineup for the Hawks right away. In addition, the Hawks also have solid players around such as John Collins and DeAndre’ Bembry, who should be key contributors on both sides. A final underlying storyline this season for the Hawks will be Vince Carter’s final season, and he will likely receive a warm reception around the league as he makes his final run. The future is near for Atlanta, but not quite close enough for this team to slip into the playoffs this season.

11. Detroit Pistons

Under head coach Dwane Casey, the Pistons may not be one of the worst teams in basketball, but still lack of ton of potential to be anywhere near a playoff contender in the weak Eastern Conference. Of course, the Pistons still have the great frontcourt duo of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, which has been a hard combination to handle in recent seasons since Griffin was traded to Detroit from Los Angeles. The Pistons will also welcome the solid addition of veteran stud Derrick Rose, who showed real flashes of his former self a season ago. If Rose can be that same type of player this season for the Pistons, Detroit could actually make a run toward the playoffs once again. In addition, the Pistons still have other talents such as Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard roaming in their rotation, both of whom will look to play a role again on this year’s Pistons team. Detroit could be a little slept on right now without a whole lot of expectations, and it will be interesting to see if they make any kind of noise in the East with the trio of Griffin, Drummond, and Rose.

12. New York Knicks

The Knicks have been nothing more than a dumpster fire for the past decade under owner James Dolan, but they do enter this season with a little more hope than prior season based on their collection of young players. With rookie R.J. Barrett now taking the stage at Madison Square Garden alongside other young players such as Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, and Dennis Smith Jr., New York should at least be a little more entertaining with an improved product on the court. This season follows a year that was lost after trading away Kristaps Porzingis, and the Knicks will need to show some improvement this season in order to be considered a team that could succeed in any capacity in the future under head coach David Fizdale. With Barrett being a Rookie of the Year candidate and other young players having a significant role on this Knicks’ squad, the team from the Big Apple should at least take some steps forward this season in the Knicks’ elongated rebuild in the country's largest market.

13. Washington Wizards

With John Wall likely out for the year and without another true superstar around him, the Wizards are currently Bradley Beal’s team. After signing a short-term extension to keep Beal in Washington for the next couple of years, the Wizards will likely turn to their elite shooting guard to help carry the franchise through mediocrity and back into the postseason. With that being said, it will be a very tough mark to accomplish without a ton of depth or help on this team to surround Beal with. Center Thomas Bryant had a surprisingly good year last season for the Wizards, and could actually be the second best player next to Beal in the Washington starting lineup. Other players such as Ish Smith and C.J. Miles could also be key contributors for a weak Wizards’ team, but even they could likely be turning toward the trading block if Washington struggles all year long. The Wizards will continue to sit at the bottom of the East, and will face an upcoming offseason of doubt and mystery if they fail to do anything once again this year.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers

Since losing LeBron James last offseason, the Cavs have once again returned to being one of the worst teams in basketball. Kevin Love, of course, is the most notable player on the Cavaliers, but there is a more than likely chance that he is traded near or at the deadline. Meanwhile, other than Love’s consistent numbers, the Cavaliers will likely still have decent role players such as Jordan Clarkson, Tristan Thompson, and second year talent Collin Sexton roaming the court for the Cavs. With this, Cleveland needs to focus this season on really developing Sexton and rookie Darius Garland if they want any chance of a successful rebuild, even if it means not winning many games this year. There’s a little more hope for this team than some of the East’s other bad teams based on their number of veterans that could be moved for assets, but the Cavs have virtually no shot of returning to the playoffs this season.

15. Charlotte Hornets

After losing their franchise player in Kemba Walker, the Charlotte Hornets are at the very bottom of the NBA and remain a laughingstock in the league. The Hornets have very little hope heading into the season, with their most notable players coming in the form of former Celtic Terry Rozier and forward Miles Bridges. Head coach James Borrego faces an extremely tall task of trying to make this team even relatively competitive, and he will likely need some lesser known players such as Malik Monk and PJ Washington to emerge into legitimate studs in order to save his job. Charlotte looks like they are on their way to the worst record in basketball and is a team that has very little hope for a sudden resurgence in the East.

Award Predictions

MVP

Stephen Curry should have a ridiculous year for the Warriors if Golden State wants to get back into the playoffs (via CBS News).

PG Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
SF Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
PF Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
PG/SG James Harden, Houston Rockets

After several years of being a second option to Kevin Durant in the Warriors’ offense, Curry should once again return to the role of the Warriors’ main option. Therefore, the best shooter on the planet will have the ball in his hands a lot, and will look to guide Golden State back into the postseason without KD and with Klay Thompson down for most of the year. The NBA’s MVP award is all about the most attractive story in the league, not the actual best player, which is why Curry has a slight nod over Harden and Antetokounmpo, the last two winners of the award. However, the two wild cards in this formula could be Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic. Davis has a new organization with major aspirations and playing alongside LeBron James on a title contender could boost his status in the league, whereas Jokic will look to guide Denver to the top of the nearly impossible Western Conference. Anyone has a shot at the award this year, but look for one of the NBA’s traditional stars or former winners to receive the award once again this year.

Rookie of the Year

SF/PF Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
PG Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
PG Coby White, Chicago Bulls
SG Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
SG/SF RJ Barrett, New York Knicks

The clear favorite for Rookie of the Year has to be rookie sensation Zion Williamson, who may be the most anticipated rookie since LeBron James entered the league. With a rare physical specimen and plenty of highlight worthy dunks, Williamson is a true superstar in the making and just needs to stay healthy in order to have a great shot at the award. However, other rookies have just as fair of a shot if given the opportunity. Coby White and Tyler Herro are two names who have turned heads in the Summer League and in the preseason, indicating that possibly big seasons are ahead of them. In addition, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett will likely be the focal point of their respective teams, giving these two high draft picks a fair shot at the award if their teams have some mild success. It will be interesting to see how the talent of this rookie class unfolds, especially in the case of the can’t-miss Williamson.

Coach of the Year

Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz
Jim Boylen, Chicago Bulls
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Alvin Gentry, New Orleans Pelicans

Already one of the best coaches in the NBA, Steve Kerr has a real chance to shine with a depleted Warriors’ roster this season. Even though the foundational members of Golden State are still intact, the power of Kerr leading this team through the West again could have a massive impact on voters for the award. Elsewhere in the West, Quin Snyder and Alvin Gentry have fair shots at winning the award due to their great reputations in the league. If Snyder can get the Jazz to the top of the West or if Gentry can get the Pels into the playoffs again, this could be their award to lose. Meanwhile in the East, Erik Spoelstra of the Heat has a great shot at capturing the award if Miami ends up being a surprise team in the East. The veteran coach has been elite for years, but could finally get the recognition he deserves with a solid season. However, the true surprise of the group could be Jim Boylen of the Bulls, whose team should be much improved and could possibly make the playoffs. If the Bulls return to relevance with their solid core of young players, Boylen could be the darling for this award.

Games of the Year

The Rockets and Warriors will once again continue their fierce rivalry on Christmas Day this season (via SB Nation).

October 22nd, Lakers vs Clippers: The first games for Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis in the Battle for Los Angeles. There’s never been a real rivalry between these two teams; that could change quickly.

October 23rd, Celtics versus 76ers: The 76ers have had issues getting past the Celtics in the past, so they signed Al Horford in the offseason. This also marks the debut of Kemba Walker with Boston, as both teams look to emerge as contenders in the East.

October 24th, Clippers versus Warriors: These two teams have had a nice rivalry that has grown over the past decade. The next chapter opens between the two, as the Warriors open their brand-new arena against one of the best teams in the NBA.

October 24th, Bucks versus Rockets: The last two league MVPs square off in a East versus West battle of contenders. Expect high scoring and high flying all over the court for two of the league’s most entertaining teams.

November 14th, Mavericks versus Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis returns to the Garden for the first time as a member of the Mavericks. Except something…. interesting from the Knicks’ home crowd.

November 27th, Nets versus Celtics: Kyrie Irving will likely face a brutal return to Boston behind a wild Celtics crowd. We’ll see what Irving and the Nets are really made of after this.

November 27th, Lakers versus Pelicans: Anthony Davis returns home, and he should be received with a warm welcome. In addition, LeBron James faces off with Zion Williamson for the first time in his career. Look forward to the rematch in Lonzo Ball’s return to LA on January 3rd.

December 11th, Clippers versus Raptors: It may be just as loud, if not louder, in support of Kawhi Leonard in his return to Toronto than even opening night for the Raptors. It should be one awesome night full of excitement and emotion.

December 25th: Clippers versus Lakers, Bucks versus 76ers, Rockets versus Warriors: Out of the five games on Christmas, these three are as good as it gets in terms of matchups. There are stories galore on the league’s most eventful, and wonderful, time of the year.

January 9th, Rockets versus Thunder: Russell Westbrook may receive one of the warmest responses in a star’s return to his former home. This could get very emotional early.

January 20th, Lakers versus Celtics: With title hopes on the line and plenty of bad blood, the rivalry is once again renewed. Boston versus Los Angeles, but this time in the brand new decade of the 2020’s.

February 5th, Warriors versus Nets: Kevin Durant won’t be healthy enough and in the lineup to suit up against his former team, but it will be interesting to see how both teams interact. This also marks the return of D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn, where he thrived and became an All-Star before being dealt to the Warriors.

April 9th, Warriors versus Lakers: The Pacific Division opponents meet four times during the season, but their final matchup of the season could have huge postseason stakes. In addition, look for a then-healthy Klay Thompson to make an impact for the Warriors against the LeBron-led Lakers.

April 15th, Cavaliers versus Hawks: Despite the poor quality of the teams, this marks the final regular season game of Vince Carter’s illustrious career. It’s been one awesome ride, full of rim-shattering dunks and clutch moments from the future Hall of Famer.

Playoff Predictions

No team in the league faces more pressure to win now than the Los Angeles Lakers (via Lakers Nation).

West 1st Round

(1) Nuggets over (8) Mavericks in five games

(2) Jazz over (7) Trail Blazers in seven games

(3) Clippers over (6) Warriors in six games

(4) Lakers over (5) Rockets in six games

East 1st Round

(1) Bucks over (8) Bulls in four games

(2) 76ers over (7) Raptors in five games

(3) Celtics over (6) Nets in five games

(4) Pacers over (5) Heat in seven games

West 2nd Round

(4) Lakers over (1) Nuggets in five games

(3) Clippers over (2) Jazz in five games

East 2nd Round

(1) Bucks over (4) Pacers in four games

(2) 76ers over (3) Celtics in seven games

Western Conference Finals

(4) Lakers over (3) Clippers in seven games

Eastern Conference Finals

(2) 76ers over (1) Bucks in six games

The Finals

(4) Lakers over (2) 76ers in seven games

2019-2020 NBA Season Preview