2018/19 NBA Season Guide
We preview each team's biggest in, out, talking point plus give our predictions.
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks
- Biggest in: Trae Young
- Biggest out: Dennis Schroder
- Biggest Talking point: Youth movement rebuild
- Prediction: Might be relevant in 3 years
Boston Celtics
- Biggest in: Gordon Hayward (injury)
- Biggest out: Greg Monroe
- Biggest Talking point: Gordon Hayward is healthy, LeBron has left Eastern Conference.
- Prediction: 1st in East
Brooklyn Nets
- Biggest in: D’Angelo Russell
- Biggest out: Jahlil Okafor
- Biggest Talking point: Youth, experience and competency across every position
- Prediction: 35 wins; D’Angelo Russell earns Wild Card spot in All-Star Game
Charlotte Hornets
- Biggest in: Tony Parker
- Biggest out: Dwight Howard
- Biggest Talking point: The roster is a mess. Is it time to blow it up?
- Prediction: Under 35 wins
Chicago Bulls
- Biggest in: Jabari Parker
- Biggest out: Jerian Grant
- Biggest Talking point: The Bulls enter year 2 of rebuild, can they build chemistry?
- Prediction: Lauri Markkanan will be an All-Star reserve
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Biggest in: Colin Sexton
- Biggest out: LeBron James
- Biggest Talking point: Life without LeBron
- Prediction: JR Smith traded, Cavs miss the playoffs.
Detroit Pistons
- Biggest in: Dwane Casey
- Biggest out: Anthony Tolliver
- Biggest Talking point: Health of Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson
- Prediction: Make playoffs
Indiana Pacers
- Biggest in: Tyreke Evenas
- Biggest out: Lance Stephenson
- Biggest Talking point: One of the most complete teams
- Prediction: Top 3 seed in East
Miami Heat
- Biggest in: Dwyane Wade (re-signed)
- Biggest out: N/A
- Biggest Talking point: Wade’s farewell tour
- Prediction: Kelly Olynyk is a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year. Top 12 offense.
Milwaukee Bucks
- Biggest in: Brook Lopez
- Biggest out: Jabari Parker
- Biggest Talking point: Greek Freak to make legitimate case for MVP
- Prediction: Top 4 seed in East
New York Knicks
- Biggest in: Kevin Knox
- Biggest out: Michael Beasley
- Biggest Talking point: Failure to land big-name free agent in offseason, KP out with torn ACL
- Prediction: Scrap into the playoffs
Orlando Magic
- Biggest in: Timofey Mozgov
- Biggest out: Bismack Biyombo
- Biggest Talking point: Still rebuilding, barren bench.
- Prediction: Under 30 wins
Philadelphia 76ers
- Biggest in: Wilson Chandler
- Biggest out: Marco Belinelli
- Biggest Talking point: Has Simmons improved his shot over the off season?
- Prediction: Top 3 seed in east
Toronto Raptors
- Biggest in: Kawhi Leonard
- Biggest out: DeMar DeRozan
- Biggest Talking point: Chemistry and cohesion without Dwane casey and DeMar
- Prediction: Pascal Siakam win Most Improved
Washington Wizards
- Biggest in: Dwight Howard
- Biggest out: Marcin Gortat
- Biggest Talking point: Backing up their talk. See: Beal claiming the Wizards were the best team in the East before LeBron dropped 57 at their home.
- Prediction: Finish 7th in East
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
- Biggest in: Luka Doncic
- Biggest out: Doug McDermott
- Biggest Talking point: Nowitzki to come off bench.
- Prediction: Top 10 offense. Luka Doncic win Rookie of the Year
Denver Nuggets
- Biggest in: Isaiah Thomas
- Biggest out: Wilson Chandler
- Biggest Talking point: Can they get their defense together? Dark horses in the West.
- Prediction: Nuggets host first round playoff series.
Golden State Warriors
- Biggest in: DeMarcus Cousins
- Biggest out: JaVale McGee
- Biggest Talking point: Can they beat 73-9?
- Prediction: NBA Champion
Houston Rockets
- Biggest in: Carmelo Anthony
- Biggest out: DeAndre Jordan
- Biggest Talking point: How Melo fits in
- Prediction: 60+ wins
LA Clippers
- Biggest in: Dwight Howard
- Biggest out: DeAndre Jordan
- Biggest Talking point: End of an era, RIP Lob City.
- Prediction: Under 35 wins
LA Lakers
- Biggest in: LeBron
- Biggest out: Channing Frye
- Biggest Talking point: Can LeBron turn the Lakers into genuine title contenders?
- Prediction: Lakers get knocked out in Semifinals.
Memphis Grizzlies
- Biggest in: Kyle Anderson
- Biggest out: Tyreke Evans
- Biggest Talking point: How much do the veterans have left?
- Prediction: Miss playoffs
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Biggest in: Luol Deng
- Biggest out:
- Biggest Talking point: Jimmy Butler. The faster they move him on, the better.
- Prediction: Finish 10th in West and part ways with Thibodeau.
New Orleans Pelicans
- Biggest in: Julius Randle
- Biggest out: DeMarcus Cousins
- Biggest Talking point: Glaring lack of wing depth on the roster
- Prediction: Anthony Davis will lead NBA in scoring and win MVP
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Biggest in: Dennis Schroder
- Biggest out: Carmelo Anthony
- Biggest Talking point: Will the bench improve after an underwhelming season?
- Prediction: Paul George to have career best season
Phoenix Suns
- Biggest in: Deandre Ayton
- Biggest out: Brandon Knight
- Biggest Talking point: Can this team improve after coming dead-last?
- Prediction: Under 30 wins, finish 14th in West
Portland Trail Blazers
- Biggest in: Seth Curry
- Biggest out: Ed Davis
- Biggest Talking point: Can they defend teams with elite athletic big men like Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid?
- Prediction: Blazers miss playoffs
Sacramento Kings
- Biggest in: Marvin Bagley III
- Biggest out: Garrett Temple
- Biggest Talking point: Which young talent will become their future All-star?
- Prediction: Under 25 wins
San Antonio Spurs
- Biggest in: DeMar DeRozan
- Biggest out: Kawhi Leonard
- Biggest Talking point: Which of the guards deserves the most playing time? Can DeMar fill Kawhi’s shoes?
- Prediction: Top 4 finish in West
Utah Jazz
- Biggest in: Trey Lewis
- Biggest out: David Stockton
- Biggest Talking point: They have the necessary ingredients to be a title contender, how far can they go?
- Prediction: Take the biggest leap forward this season, Joe Ingles leads NBA in 3-point percentage.