As the NBA season inches closer, we began to evaluate different rosters and teams. Whether a team is contending for a championship or hoping for a top pick, there are key questions about each team. Here is one question surrounding every Eastern conference team.
One Question for Every Eastern Conference Team
Atlanta Hawks: Can Trae Young become an off-ball threat?
The Hawks didn’t improve their roster much this off-season. Yet, with a solid roster and a full season with Quin Snyder as the Head coach the Hawks could be poised to make a jump. For the Hawks, nothing is more important than Trae adjusting his game. Trae Young is an elite offensive player both as a scorer and a playmaker. However, Young struggles to play off the ball. Young needs to develop more as an off-ball threat to evaluate his game and for the Hawks to have more success. Snyder’s system gives Young an opportunity to develop this vital aspect of his game.
Boston Celtics: Will Kristaps Porzingis get them over the hump?
The Celtics trading for Kristaps Porzingis in June sent shock waves throughout the league. Boston has been on the brink of winning a title for the past few seasons. The Porzingis acquisition doubles down on their strength of 3-point shooting while simultaneously making them an elite interior defense. The move and fit make a lot of sense on paper. But it remains to be seen if Porzingis is the Celtics missing piece and if he will help deliver the long-awaited 18th banner to Boston.
Brooklyn Nets: Are they competitive or rebuilding?
Last year, the Nets traded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline retooling their roster in the process. The Nets had a 13-15 post-trade deadline and managed to retain a playoff spot as the no. 6 seed. After the trade deadline, Mikal Bridges emerged as a star averaging 26 points on great efficiency with elite defense to boot. With Bridges, and the possible re-emergence of Ben Simmons, surrounded by a core of pesky defenders the Nets could be a competitive playoff squad this year. However, it’s just as possible this team ends up underwhelming and finishes outside of the play-in tournament.
Charlotte Hornets: Was last year a fluke or the new norm?
Following two play-in tournament appearances the Hornets fell all the way to 14th in the conference last year. The Hornets battled injuries all season long, especially their best player, LaMelo Ball, who missed more than half the year. With the return of Miles Bridges and the number two overall pick, Brandon Miller, the Hornets could return to the play-in area. However, with an improving Eastern Conference, the Hornets could just as easily fall to the bottom of the standings again. Although they have some talent, when comparing the Hornets to teams in the Eastern Conference, there’s no team they are clearly better than. This could be a huge problem if Charlotte wants to be semi-competitive.
Chicago Bulls: What’s the plan?
The Chicago Bulls are coming off a disappointing season and didn’t make any significant off-season moves. Chicago’s ceiling is sneaking into the playoffs. As a result of a somewhat low ceiling with few avenues to immediately improve, many fans expected the Bulls to hit the reset button this off-season. However, they decided neither to rebuild nor make any significant acquisitions, making people wonder what exactly the plan is and if rebuilding is still a possibility in the near future.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Did off-season acquisitions solve the wing problem?
This past season the Cleveland Cavaliers had both one of the best perimeter and interior duos. However, the lack of quality wings on the roster was a glaring flaw. During the off-season, Cleveland addressed the wing problem by signing free agents Max Strus and Georges Niang. Strus and Ninag provide the Cavs with much-needed wing shooting. In addition, to defensive specialist Isaac Okoro and the streaky yet talented scorer Caris LeVert the Cavs on paper now have a solid group of wings. But will this be enough for the Cavs to improve and take the next jump?
Detroit Pistons: How will the guards mesh together?
The Detroit Pistons‘ young core is predominately made up of three young guards. 2021 1st overall pick Cade Cunningham, second-year player Jaden Ivey and this year’s 5th pick Ausar Thompson. Due to a season-ending shin injury, we only got to see Cunnigham and Ivey play 12 games together last year. So, it’s unclear how they truly fit. All three guards have good size and off-ball abilities so this projects to good fit. This trio also gives Detroit a ton of perimeter threats and instant offense. Nonetheless pairing talented young three guards together can often be complex.
Indiana Pacers: Will off-season acquisitions allow Indy to sneak into the playoffs?
Before Tyrese Haliburton got injured in January, the Pacers were the no. 6 seed in the East. Indiana drafted Jarace Walker with the 8th pick, and he projects to be a high-impact modern four from the jump. The Pacers signed versatile two-way guard Bruce Brown and traded for Obi Toppin, an intriguing young forward. With these off-season moves and a healthy Haliburton, the Pacers are poised to make a playoff push.
Miami Heat: Will they trade for Damian Lillard?
While many view Damian Lillard being traded to the Heat trade as inevitable. No deal has been made yet. With the loss of key role players Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, Miami’s offense needs more firepower. In many ways, Miami’s season and aspirations of making another finals run depends on a Damian Lillard trade.
Milwaukee Bucks: Will hiring Adrian Griffin help Milwaukee improve?
The Milwaukee Bucks have been a consistent title threat throughout and premier Eastern Conference team over the past half-decade. Since 2018, this success—including a 2021 championship—has been under head coach Mike Budenholzer. Following a disappointing first-round exit, the Bucks decided to part ways with Budenholzer and bring in Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. Since being hired, Griffin has promised more ball movement on offense while continuing to prioritize Milwaukee’s main strength of defense. How Griffin’s presence will change the Bucks’ play style and if it ultimately improves the team are important questions when projecting Milwakuee’s season.
New York Knicks: Are they ready to make another jump?
The New York Knicks are coming off an impressive season in which they finished 5th in the conference and won their first-round series against the Cavs. New York also gave the Eastern Conference champion Heat a run for their money in the second round. While the Knicks didn’t have any major improvements in this off-season, they bring back a deep roster that showed a ton of promise last season. With internal improvement, the Knicks could sneak into a top-3 spot. Additionally, the Knicks have the assets to pull off a blockbuster trade during the deadline.
Orlando Magic: How will the rookies mesh with the surrounding core?
The Orlando Magic are coming off a promising season. They have an intriguing young core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. As a result, Orlando could be poised to make a jump this year. The Magic drafted Arkansas guard Anthony Black with the 6th pick and Michigan wing Jett Howard with the 11th pick. Black has incredible upside and is a jack-of-all-trades point guard. However, many wonder what his immediate impact will be and how he’ll fit with Markelle Fultz, as their games are very similar. Howard fills Orlando’s void of shooting but doesn’t have a ton of upside, leading many to question the pick. How these two rookies fit Orlando’s core and how they perform this year will be important parts of the Magic possibly making a jump.
Philadelphia 76ers: What will happen with the James Harden saga?
James Harden trade rumors have dominated NBA headlines recently. The Philadelphia 76ers‘ success this season will depend on a possible trade return for Harden or what level of effort and play Harden gives if he’s forced to return. It will also be worth watching how long the saga continues, as Daryl Morey is notoriously stubborn in trade negotiations. This trade saga could also impact Philadelphia’s long-term plans possibly leading to a Joel Embiid trade request and or a rebuild.
Toronto Raptors: What direction will they go?
The Raptors franchise direction is extremely unclear. Toronto is coming off a disappointing year where they finished outside of the playoffs, and the departure of Fred VanVleet only makes the team worse. Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby are both on expiring contracts. Both players have been involved in trade rumors for the better part of a year, but no deal has materialized. Will the Raptors pull the trigger on a midseason deal for one or both of these key players? Or will Toronto extend their contracts and try to build a competitive team?
Washington Wizards: What young player will benefit from increased opportunity?
The Washington Wizards entered a rebuilding stage this off-season unloading top players Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. Washington is left with scoring threats Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma surrounded by intriguing yet unproven young players. Poole will certainly benefit from a change of scenery and his scoring numbers will take a huge jump. But how about the other young players? Deni Avdija is a high-impact defensive player that has shown signs of playmaking and finishing skills on offense. With increased opportunity, the former lottery pick could have a breakout season and develop more on offense. Corey Kispert could end up proving to be more than just a high-level spot-up shooter. The Wizards drafted French rookie Bilal Coulibaly with the 7th overall pick. Coulibaly is an extremely good athlete and projects to be a great defender with a ton of upside. Coulibaly is raw but will be given a ton of opportunity in Washington, it will be interesting to see his impact as a rookie.
