(Photo by the Wall Street Journal)

BOSTON CELTICS

The title defense didn't go as planned, and what's worse, Jayson Tatum is out indefinitely via Achilles tendon. Also, they traded away Kristaps and Jrue Holiday, not really promising for the Leprechaun crew in 2025-2026.

BROOKLYN NETS

This is the year to see which one of their many first-round picks can have an impact. I really do not see playoffs for this season, but the acquisition of MPJ and keeping Cam Thomas for a year can keep them competitive.

NEW YORK KNICKS

The 2024-2025 season was supposed to be golden, unfortunately, the Knicks ran into a superhot Pacers squad in the ECF. They released Tom Thibodeau for Mike Brown (Why?) Hopefully, NYC's basketball team can overcome adversity for a title.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Aye, because of injuries and inconsistency, (Paul George), the Sixers had a 96-97 Spurs type season. Hopefully, with the return of Jared McCain and the arrival of VJ Edgecombe, Philly can keep "The Process" going, before Embiid's body disintegrates.

TORONTO RAPTORS

An era has ended, Masai Ujiri, the architect of the 2019 championship team, is gone. So, that means the Raptors are starting with a new era. Also, what was the point of extending Brandon Ingram again? I see a valiant effort, but no playoffs this season.

CHICAGO BULLS

Sometimes, I wonder if the Bulls know what they are doing. Extending Billy Donovan was confusing and as of this writing, Josh Giddey hasn't reached an agreement (Side note: They finally reached an agreement). We see more of the same from this team, but they did produce this meme...

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

The Cavs dominated the Eastern Conference in the regular season but ran into a brick wall in the Pacers during the postseason. Can Cleveland run it back in 2025=2026 without any brick walls on the horizon?

DETROIT PISTONS

From laughingstock to inspirational turnaround, the Pistons played up to their potential and finally! won a playoff game after a long losing streak. This season should be fruitful for DETROIT BASKETBALL!

INDIANA PACERS

In a microcosm of this franchise, Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in their biggest game ever. After an impressive playoff run, the Pacers failed to capture a championship. Now, this season looks murky with Haliburton out.

Also, Myles Turner bolted to sign with.....

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Giannis is here, for now. Unfortunately, Damien Lillard isn't as he was straight cut. The Bucks' window is closing and closing fast. This season is the moment they need to take advantage.

ATLANTA HAWKS

Management seemed to be tired of being in the middle as they let Landry Fields go and shelled some money for NAW and Luke Kennard while trading for Kristaps Porzingis. The question is if Trae Young will remain in their long-term plans.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

From meh to eeh, the Hornets seem to get worse each year despite having LaMelo and Brandon Miller on the roster. Adding Collin Sexton and the best three-point shooter in the draft, Kon Kneuppel, could help. The key words are COULD HELP.

MIAMI HEAT

After getting obliterated by the Cavs, the Heat should finally face reality and realize they are middle of the pack, but they have been able to fool people. Could the Bam/Herro/Wiggins core make some noise for another playoff push?

ORLANDO MAGIC

This team seems to be on the brink of something great, even so that they rolled the dice to acquire Desmond Bane for FOUR first-round picks. After two seasons of scratching the surface in the playoffs, they can breakthrough this season.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

This rebuild is going to take some time, but the Wiz see some potential in this core that they have. Unfortunately, I don't see the playoffs this year, but there can be improvement across the board for 24-25.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

After that acquisition of a certain franchise player, the Mavericks stumbled through the rest of the season hoping for a breath of fresh air. Well, they got it by "winning" the draft lottery. Technically, they traded Luka for Cooper Flagg.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

The Rockets improved under Ime Udoka's system to a playoff berth. Despite a first-round exit, Houston wants bigger things and trading for Kevin Durant could be the push they need to compete for an NBA title.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

From #2 seed to clinging to a playoff berth, the Grizz fired their coach, Taylor Jenkins, nine games from the postseason and their demise being expected. After receiving FOUR first round picks, Memphis' future is fruitful, but their present has questions.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

The 2024-2025 season for the Pels will be known as "The Crescent City Collapse." Joe Dumars has arrived to help clean this injury filled mess. New Orleans will try for a bounce back this season. Also, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH ZION?!

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

After almost 30 seasons, Gregg Popovich will not be manning the sidelines for the Spurs. It's up to Mitch Johnson to keep the winning tradition alive. San Antonio hopes Wemby comes back fully healthy, and the rest of the young core can develop.

DENVER NUGGETS

Three games from the postseason, Mike Malone and Calvin Booth were sent packing. (Side note: Told you karma was coming.) They will still make the postseason, but Nikola Jokic's future is miffy and cracks are showing in the armor.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Two consecutive WCF appearances means absolute progress for like the first time in franchise history. Anthony Edwards is becoming an MVP candidate before our vary eyes. Here's the question: Can Minnesota finally reach the Finals this season?

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

After steamrolling the regular season with 68 wins, the Thunder proceeded to capture their first NBA title......as the Thunder. Giving extensions to SGA, Chet and J-Dub will give the franchise a legit shot at a dynasty. (Side note: Seattle fans are still cursing Clay Bennett's name.)

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

The Blazers improved last season, and Deni Avdija became a total stud, so Portland could be the breakthrough team. Also, they have a new ownership group leading this franchise going forward, and it's the white knight of professional sports, Tom Dundon.

UTAH JAZZ

Wow, this rebuild is taking longer than expected. They selected Ace Bailey, who apparently doesn't want to be there, but apparently does. The Jazz are stuck in the situation of what they want but can't have stage in their rebuild.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

This legacy will not die. Adding Jimmy Butler and extending him, the Warriors will try to give the fans one last hurrah before Father Time comes knocking at their door. Also, are they going to resolve the Jonathan Kuminga situation?

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Apparently, you can get paid for doing nothing. Despite controversy hanging over their heads, the Clippers have a team that is....very experienced. Bringing Chris Paul in his final go-around seems fitting, but can they overcome adversity?

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Blah, blah, blah, Luka trade. Now that the Lakers established that Luka Doncic is the face of the franchise when LeBron retires, can the Lake Show establish themselves as threats in the playoffs with....DeAndre Ayton at center? Okay.

PHOENIX SUNS

Siri, play Land of Confusion by Genesis

The Suns are in this situation right now. Jordan Ott is the fourth head coach in the last four years as KD and Bradley Beal are long gone. Phoenix has somewhat gone back to the drawing board. I guess this is the world we live in.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

(JN: Hey AJ, I realize that this franchise has caused you ulcers, can you not be angry when writing this section?)

(Me: I will promise you I won't promise anything.)

Another change of regime, another change in head coach and another franchise player getting traded as the Kings continue to figure out what direction they want to be in. Right now, they are in the same position as the last two seasons, in the middle of the pack, such a sad sight.

So, that is the preview for this NBA season as NBC makes their grand return and the commish wants you to watch the highlights if you can't afford to watch the actual games.

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