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Phoenix Suns:
Phoenix labored through a disastrous 2015-16 season, finishing 23-59, which was fourth in the Pacific Division. The Suns were dealt a rough hand with the injury bug throughout the season, as Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight both saw their season end early. Bledsoe was averaging career highs in points (20.4), assists (6.1), and steals (2.0) to go with 4.6 rebounds per game before missing the final three months after surgery on his torn meniscus. Knight was averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game before undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in April. Knight also missed time earlier in the year with a strained left adductor. Rookie Devin Booker had a great first year in the NBA, averaging 13.8 points despite the injuries to Bledsoe and Knight. The Suns added even more young talent to their roster by drafting Marquese Chriss, the draft’s most athletic big man, and Tyler Ulis, who could carve a niche coming off the bench. The Suns’ record from last season certainly won’t intimidate any opponents this season, but their explosive and young roster should certainly improve and perhaps compete for the eighth seed in the West.
Dallas Mavericks:
The Mavericks surprised me last season by making the playoffs since they are a team comprised of mostly veterans built around 38 year old Dirk Nowitzki. Wesley Matthews wasn’t quite as good as Dallas probably hoped when they signed him to a four year/$70 million deal last summer, but he knows his role along with the other vets, and they play extremely well as a team under coach Rick Carlisle. Harrison Barnes was brought in to be a number one scoring option, especially after Dirk retires, and I think he could flourish as the go to guy. Barnes is 6’8” and has a nice shooting stroke, but a lot of his open attempts with the Warriors won’t be there this season. That’s where Barnes’ athleticism comes to play since he should be able to get to the hoop when guarded by slower forwards on the perimeter. The Mavs also added Andrew Bogut to be an interior presence with experience. Dallas should return to the playoffs again next season, and they will be a tough out.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
The Wolves are a team that a lot of people like as a sleeper or a team on the rise, but their arrival is always pushed back a year or two. Not this year, not only do they have a future superstar in Karl-Anthony Towns, but also Andrew Wiggins should improve offensively and develop into one of the better two-way players in the league. Minnesota also hit a home run by drafting Kris Dunn, his athleticism and defensive mindset should fit perfectly in coach Tom Thibodeau’s system. Zach LaVine improved in his second year and should continue to do so in his third, and veteran Kevin Garnett is there to take the kid under his wing. The Timberwolves’ time has arrived and I see them earning a middle seed in the Western Conference.
Boston Celtics:
The Celtics are primed to dethrone the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. The addition of Al Horford is monumental in the shift of power from Cleveland to Boston and keeps the Celtics above the much improved Pacers. Coach Brad Stevens gets the most out of his talented group of guys and they look ready to take the next step this season. Isaiah Thomas averaged a career high 22.2 points per game last season and his assist numbers should skyrocket from 6.2 per game with Horford manning the center position. Marcus Smart is turning into a solid option at either guard spot and Avery Bradley is a legit 3-and-D option at shooting guard. Jae Crowder and rookie Jaylen Brown should both be good two-way players on the wing. The Celtics just didn’t have the firepower last season in the playoffs but the addition of Horford and Brown should be enough to get this team to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
The loss of Kevin Durant is immeasurable. He is arguably the best player in the world and him leaving after nine seasons will definitely be felt on multiple occasions throughout next season. However, the Thunder aren’t a doormat without Durant. Russell Westbrook is arguably the best point guard in the NBA and is a top-five player in the league. Westbrook will wreak havoc on opposing defenses now that he is the alpha in Oklahoma City and could honestly average somewhere around 30 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds a game next season. The addition of Victor Oladipo at shooting guard gives the Thunder perhaps the most athletic backcourt in NBA history and his 3-and-D potential is something the Thunder have coveted at the shooting guard position for several seasons. The front court combination of Steven Adams and Enes Kanter will give every team in the NBA trouble on the glass and down low in the post. The Thunder’s size and athleticism will give any team a hard time, including Durant and the Warriors, the Spurs, or the Clippers, so this thought that the Thunder are just going to roll over is absurd. The Thunder will obviously take a step or two back without Durant, but no team will want to deal with a rampaging Westbrook who wants to embarrass everyone else on the court. Oklahoma City will still be a tough out for anyone who has the unfortunate luck of drawing them in the playoffs.