Top 10 NBA Teams Heading to the 2022/2023 Season
A new NBA season is in the offing. League-wide teams have tried to improve their rosters through trades and free-agent signings. Let’s see how the signings impact the teams’ strength and what are the top teams heading to the new season:
1. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors just won their fourth championship cementing their place as a modern-era dynasty. Buoyed by the return of Klay Thompson, the emergence of Jordan Poole, and the transcendent play of Steph Curry, the warriors, stomped Boston Celtics to win the NBA finals in six games. The Warriors head into the new season in pole position because they retained their young core while adding JaMychal Green and Donte DiVincenzo.
2. Boston Celtics
The Ime Udoka cheating scandals may mar the Celtics, but they are no slouch. The team was three games away from a championship and has made reinforcements over the off-season. They added Danillo Gallinari from the Atlanta Hawks and Malcolm Brogdon from Indiana Pacers.
With the Kevin Durant trade request saga ending, Boston enters the season with a deep roster. Late addition of Blake Griffin gives the Celtics veteran leadership and grit. The duo will provide an offensive boost to a side that struggled to score the ball in stretches.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
The 2021 champions fell short of defending their championship due to injury setbacks to crucial players, chief among them Khris Middleton. The team resigned Jevon Carter, Wesley Matthews, Pat Connaughton, and Bobby Portis. It also added Joe Ingles in free agency. With a clean bill of health, a full returning roster, and the league’s best player Giannis Antetokounmpo the Bucks are poised for a championship run.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant is storming into superstardom with an array of flashy moves and athletic plays so are his teammates. Memphis is stacked with young talent, headlined by Ja, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson. The team tied Morant to a new five years’ rookie extension and resigned Tyus Jones to a new contract.
Although the Grizzlies lost to eventual champions Golden State Warriors in the western conference semis, that may be the learning moment they needed to make a championship run. They may have lost Kyle Anderson to the Sixers, but the Grizzlies are stacked with talent, as evidenced last season when they easily won games without Morant.
5. Phoenix Suns
At moments the Suns were favorites to win it all in the last campaign, but a Luka Doncic masterclass stopped them. Off-season drama ensued, with the owner Robert Sarver putting the team on sale due to his conduct. Head coach Monty Williams and center Deandre Ayton also went silent on each other.
Ultimately Phoenix matched an offer for Ayton and resigned Devin Booker to a further four years’ deal. The team may be shrouded in controversy, but there is no denying that they are loaded with talent. A core of Ayton, Chris Paul, and Booker is enough to put you in contention.
6. L.A. Clippers
The clippers made a series of off-season moves. They signed John wall and gave new contracts to Amir Coffey and Nicholas Batum. The team also improved Ivica Zubac’s contract. However, the most significant boost for the Clippers is the return of Kahwi Leonard from a partial ACL tear that sidelined him for a season. Paul George also enters the new campaign without any injury scares. A deep roster that includes Reggie Jackson, Robert Covington, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Morris is a lock to contend for a ring.
7. Miami Heat
Miami Heat was a Jimmy Butler Missed three away from a second finals appearance in three years. The team has taken a hit from the Departure of P.J. Tuckers, who has joined the Philadelphia 76ers. On the flip side, the Heat has extended Tyler Herro, a major offensive contributor, to a four-year $130 million contract. Miami has also resigned Dewayne Dedmond and Victor Oladipo. The Heat may have missed trading for Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Durant, but their complex and gritty playstyle ensures they are one of the top teams heading to the new season.
8. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas acquired JaVale McGee and Christian Wood in the summer. The moves help to give the Mavs size in the front court after losing Kristaps Porzingis in mid-season. The loss of Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks may sting, but Dallas still has two elite ball handlers in the backcourt in the form of Spencer Dinwiddie and Luka Doncic.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have been unable to improve on a western conference finals appearance they made two seasons ago due to injuries to their two stars. During the absence of Michael Porter Jnr and Jamaal Murray, Nikola Jokic has shouldered the workload by picking two MVPs on the way. Finally, help is on the way with the duo returning to a healthy status.
Denver also made a couple of impact moves in free agency. They scooped Bruce Brown from the Nets and Kentavious Caldwell Pope from the Washington Wizards. Ish Smith also helps in a backup role in the point guard position.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
Heading to the off-season Philly has made a couple of moves to shore up its leaky defense. The sixers boost a superstar duo of James Harden and Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey also makes a case for a co-star from his electrifying performances. Adding PJ Tucker gives the side a much-needed tough mentality and defense. Kyle Anderson and Montrezl Harell are decent pickups that will help improve the sixer’s weak bench that ranked among the worst last season. Philly looks like a top-ten team in league with the new additions and a rejuvenated James Harden.
