by Noah Santiago
As the 2024 season approaches, teams are getting ready for a hopefully successful season. With a mix of powerhouse rosters, rising rookies and young stars, and potential suprises, this season is sure to be exciting and unpredictable. Many are eager to see how the standings will turn out. While favorites like the Celtics and Thunder look to maintain their dominance, upcoming teams looks to shake thing up. Let's take a dive into how the seeding might look this year.
EAST
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are tanking. They finished 11th last year going 32-50. Over the offseason, they traded away their best player in Mikal Bridges. They have some potential young stars in Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton but this team just isn't good enough to do much this year, and they probably won't try to do anyway. The Nets continue to rebuild.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors finished 12th last year, going 25-57. To be fair, they were tanking and didn't try to win many games. After trading Siakam last season, this franchise is in rebuild mode. But, they weren't able to acquire a lottery pick in the draft and didn't trade or sign any notable free agents.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets finished 13th in the East last year, going 21-61. This team has plenty of talent such as LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, but poor management and coaching has always kept them down. They also had the worst defense in NBA history last year. With no significant moves in the offseason, other than firing their head coach, it seems every other team has improved themselves but them. The Hornets look to avoid this position this year.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards were one of the worst teams in the NBA last year, finishing 14th in the East going 15-67. They drafted Alex Sarr in the draft who was arguably the best prospect. But, his performance has been underwhelming in the Summer League and the preseason. Aside from Sarr, they signed Jonas Valanciunas and Saddiq Bey and traded for Malcolm Brogdon. The Wizards hope to get out of the slump they have been in for the past few years.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were 9th last year with a record of 39-43. Over the offseason, they traded away their best player Demar Derozan for Chris Duarte and two second-round picks - signaling a rebuild. They also traded their top defensive player Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey. They also let Andre Drummond walk in free agency. This team has a lot of talent with players like Zach Lavine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White - some say he was robbed of the Most Improved Player award last year. But, some speculate that this team might be tanking. Don't expect this team to go far this year.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons finished dead last in 2023, having an abysmal 14-68 wins. But, they have quite a lot of potential for this season. Future star Cade Cunningham can be a candidate for Most Improved Player and there is plenty of other rising stars such as Jalen Duren and rookie Ron Holland. This teams looks to improve from last year.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks went 36-46 last year, good for 10th place. They traded away Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans over the offseason. They had the 1st overall pick in this year's draft in which they chose Zacharie Risacher. Jalen Johnson should also improve after having a career year last year. Don't be surprised if the Hawks make the playoffs this year.
Orlando Magic
The Magic had one of their better seasons in a while, going 47-35 and finishing 5th. Jalen Suggs had a great season and Paolo Banchero seems to be a future superstar. With a great addition of Kentavious-Caldwell Pope and a great defense, this team hopes to make the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Miami Heat
The Heat finished 46-36 last year, which was good for 8th. They didn't do much in the offseason, but it's safe to say they won the draft. They added Kel'el Ware, who brings much-needed size and defense to their team. Their second-round pick, Pelle Larsson, also looked good during the preseason. The Heat tend to finish around this spot every year but always make a deep playoff run. Health will continue to be a main factor for this team.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers went 47-35 last year and finished 7th. They made the arguably biggest move in the offseason in signing Paul George. But, a very injury-prone Joel Embiid held them back last year and is already out to start this year. Paul George will try to stay healthy but that could be another struggle for the 76ers since he is out as well. The 76ers will look to rely on Tyrese Maxey, the Most Improved Player award winner, and new additions Jared McCain and Caleb Martin.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks finished 3rd last year going 49-33. They seemed to be dominating early in the season last year but made a questionable decision to fire their head coach. Doc Rivers took over and it has not played out great with them. Damian Lillard looks to improve from his last season on the Bucks and Giannis will continue to dominate.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers finished 6th going 47-35 in 2023. They had the best offense in NBA history last year but have struggled with defense. This changed when they acquired Pascal Siakam from the Raptors and their defense greatly improved. They made a deep playoff run and hope to build on that this year.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs were 4th last year, going 48-34. This was only 2 games ahead of 8th place though and shows how tight the East was last year. They didn't make any moves in the offseason other than re-signing their current players. Evan Mobley, an elite defender looks to improve for this season. Although this team has lots of talent, other teams simply got better. But, don't doubt the Cavs. They could be a top 4 finish again this year which is why I have them at 3.
New York Knicks
The Knicks finished second last year with a record of 50-32. They have a good coach in Tom Thibodeau and a good roster with a talented defense. Over the offseason, they dealt Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to the Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, breaking up the Nova Knicks. However, these moves helped increase their size and defense.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics were the best team in the league last year with a record of 64-18, ultimately winning the NBA Finals. They will run back the same team from last year which should work out in their favor.
WEST
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers were the worst team in the West last year going 21-61. They'll most likely be the worst team again this year. They are tanking and have picked up numerous draft picks in the coming year. They have lots of talent but won't try to win many games.
14. Utah Jazz
The Jazz finished 31-51 and finished 12th in the West. They are currently in the midst of a rebuild and have acquired numerous draft picks over the next few seasons. Their young core looks to improve from last season and hope for a bright future for this team.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers were 4th last year with a record of 51-31. However, over the offseason, disaster struck. They lost Paul George in free agency and Kawhi Leonard is now out indefinitely to start the season yet again. James Harden is no longer the star he once was and they no longer have Russell Westbrook. This team hopes to make the playoffs again this year but it is unlikely.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs went 22-60 and finished 14th last year. With Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player favorite Victor Wembanyama entering the second season, he looks to continue to dominate. The Spurs acquired Chris Paul over the offseason in a much-needed move for a point guard. This team has a good young core but might struggle in a competitive West. But, this team could sneak into the playoffs.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors finished 10th last year, going 46-36. The Warriors' era of dominance is over. Draymond Green can't stay out of trouble, and Klay Thompson seems to be in a serious shooting slump. But Klay is now with the Mavericks, and the Warriors found a good replacement in Buddy Hield. The Warriors hope for a last dance relying on Stephen Curry.
Houston Rockets
Rockets went 41-41 and finished 11th last year. This was a great improvement in previous seasons and Jalen Green is showing flashes of being a star. This team is very young and will look to make the playoffs this year.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans finished 8th last year, going 49-33. They traded for Dejounte Murray, a great move for them. But unfortunately, he will be out for a while with a broken hand. They have a good defense and a good roster and hope to make playoffs for consecutive years.
8. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers finished 7th last year, going 47-35. Many say they underachieved but to their credit, they were held back by a bad coach in Darvin Ham. The Lakers didn't do anything to improve their roster in the offseason but they did hire JJ Reddick as their head coach and so far, the offense seems cohesive.
Phoenix Suns
Suns went 49-33 last year and ended 6th. But, they got swept in first round by the Timberwolves. Over the offseason, there was some speculation of Kevin Durant joining the Timberwolves but ultimately, he stayed on the Suns. The Suns aren't managed well and have a record-high payroll. They are running it back with their current team and hope players like Bradley Beal can step up for them.
6. Sacramento Kings
The Kings were 46-36 last year and were 9th. They have a very good roster and improved it by acquiring Demar DeRozan from the Bulls. The only thing keeping their team back is their lackluster defense, which ranked 22nd in the NBA last year. They improved their defense over the offseason but will still need guys like Domantas Sabonis to step up on defense.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies were 13th last year going 27-55. But, they were bombarded with injuries. Star Ja Morant was only able to play nine games and Desmond Bane missed half the season. Starting center Steven Adams missed the entire season and Brandon Clarke was limited to six games only. The team had a winning record in the nine games Morant played and the year prior they were 2nd in the west. If they can stay healthy, this team will be a problem for other teams in the West.
Denver Nuggets
Nuggets finished 2nd last year with a record of 57-25. This team is one of the NBA's best. They have a good offense and defense. They lost Kentavious-Caldwell Pope over the offseason, but they got Russell Westbrook. This team will look to make the finals for the 2nd time in three years.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks went 50-32 last year and finished 5th. They made a deep playoff run and would make the NBA Finals that year, although they lost in five games. Superstar Luka Doncic, who arguably deserved the MVP last year, is widely considered to be the best in the NBA. They got Klay Thompson over the offseason which would help their offense and shooting.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-Wolves went 56-26 last year, going 3rd in the west. This was one of their best seasons in a long time and head coach Chris Finch was in the running for coach of the year. They should continue to do well with the league's best defense. They acquired Donte DiVincenzo, one of the league's best shooters, and Julius Randle from the Knicks in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns. This might decrease their size but overall help their offense.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder were 1st in the west going 57-25 last year. They have one of the league's best offenses led by coach of the year Mark Daigneault. Superstar Shai-Gilegous Alexander is arguably the most consistent player in the league and they have a good young core with Jalen Williams and top defender Luguentz Dort. They also own a ton of draft picks in the upcoming years which they can use to improve their team or for trade leverage. The Thunder have a very bright future ahead of them.
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