NBA Preview for Every Team

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

The NBA season is right around the corner, so let’s preview every team and take a look at their REALISTIC expectations, as well as ceilings and floors.

Atlanta Hawks

Projected Starters:

PG- Trae Young

SG- Dyson Daniels

SF- Jalen Johnson

PF- Kristaps Porzingis 

C- Onyeka Okongwu

Realistic Expectation: 2nd Round

This team is one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, and when it’s wide open like this it would be a big disappointment to not at least win a playoff series.

Ceiling- Finals

I don’t know about winning the Finals, but I can certainly see a world where the Hawks win the East. Having Trae Young as your number 1 might not be good enough, but we’ve seen his playoff magic before.

Floor- Play-In

It’s hard for me to see them not making the playoffs, but the Hawks are a notorious play in team, so unless things are a catastrophic failure, they’ll at least make the play in.

Boston Celtics

Projected Starters:

PG- Derrick White

SG- Anfernee Simons

SF- Jaylen Brown

PF- Sam Hauser

C- Neemias Queta

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

This is going to be a rough year for Celtics fans, I don’t think they’re bad enough to get a good lottery pick, but not good enough to be a real contender. If they get to the play in, maybe win a couple games, that should be enough for this year.

Ceiling- 2nd Round

In a perfect scenario, I see them winning a playoff series, solely because that’s just what the Celtics do. I don’t see them being a top 2 team in the East under any circumstance.

Floor- Top 4 Pick

If things start to go South fast and they shut down Brown/White, this could definitely be a team that can snag a very nice draft pick.

Brooklyn Nets

Projected Starters:

PG- Egor Demin

SG- Cam Thomas

SF- Zaire Williams

PF- Michael Porter Jr

C- Nic Claxton

Realistic Expectation: Lottery

The Nets should be trying insanely hard to get that first pick in this loaded draft class. Even if they tried, I don’t think they could make the playoffs, so this is an achievable goal.

Ceiling: Play-In

This is a long shot, but in a very week East, there’s a world where they snag that 9 or 10 seed.

Floor: Worst Team

This is the best case scenario for Brooklyn, and it’s not far fetched. They can easily be the worst team in the country if Cam Thomas and MPJ really can’t make it work together.

Charlotte Hornets

Projected Starters:

PG- LaMelo Ball

SG- Kon Knueppel

SF- Brandon Miller

PF- Miles Bridges

C- Mason Plumlee

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

It’s to the point where the Hornets just desperately need a playoff appearance. Whether it’s through the play in or not, this is a year they can actually make it if they stay healthy.

Ceiling: Competitive 1st Round

I do not see Charlotte winning a playoff series, but at least being competitive would go a very long way for this fanbase and the future of this team.

Floor: Top 4 Lottery Odds

They can certainly be one of the worst teams in the league, and getting a top 3 pick in this draft would be huge, so hitting this floor wouldn’t be the worst thing.

Chicago Bulls

Projected Starters:

PG- Josh Giddey

SG- Coby White

SF- Ayo Dosunmo

PF- Matas Buzelis

C- Nikola Vucevic

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

This is a playoff caliber team in the Eastern Conference. If they were in the West, we’d be talking about them going for a top pick. However, Chicago should certainly be aiming to snag one of those spots in the 5-8 range.

Ceiling: 2nd Round

It might sound crazy, but I can see this team winning a playoff series if everything goes well for them. Matas Buzellis could take a huge leap, and the backcourt is very solid.

Floor: Lottery

Just as much as I think this could be a playoff team, I think this could be a lottery team. They have very little room for error when playing the top teams in the East, and 1 key injury could kill the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Projected Starters:

PG- Darius Garland

SG- Donovan Mitchell

SF- De’Andre Hunter

PF- Evan Mobley

C- Jarrett Allen

Realistic Expectation: ECF/Finals

The Cavs had an amazing regular season, but fell way short in the playoffs. They bring back most of their roster, so they certainly expect to make some noise.

Ceiling: Championship

They can definitely win the East, and just last year the Pacers took a far more talented Thunder team to 7, so anything can happen in 1 series.

Floor: 1st Round Exit

They will at least make the playoffs, but if they have another collapse like they did in the 2nd round, they could certainly be a first round exit.

Dallas Mavericks

Projected Starters:

PG- De’Angelo Russell

SG- Klay Thompson

SF- Cooper Flagg

PF- Anthony Davis

C- Dereck Lively

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

With no Kyrie for likely the whole season, or at least the majority, the Mavs can’t have to high of expectations in this conference. Making the play in would be fine, and hopefully Cooper Flagg balls out.

Ceiling: 2nd Round

If Kyrie comes back for the end of the of the regular season, I could see them getting a nice playoff series win.

Floor: Lottery

This seems far more likely than the ceiling, if Anthony Davis misses a chunk of time here or there, it’s going to be tough for this team to win games.

Denver Nuggets

Projected Starters:

PG- Jamal Murray

SG- Christian Braun

SF- Cam Johnson

PF- Aaron Gordon

C- Nikola Jokic

Realistic Expectation: Championship

It feels like a championship or bust year for Denver. Jokic’s prime has to be ending soon, and this roster they have around him is arguably the best he’s had. It’s a loaded western conference, but they should be right there at the top,

Ceiling: Championship

Like I just said, this team can win a championship if things go well for them. They have the 2nd best player in the world, and a great team around him. Their new head coach looked good in the playoffs, but they’re in an absolutely loaded conference.

Floor: 1st Round Exit

They will make the playoffs for sure, but it’s definitely possible they catch a very solid team in the first round and lose.

Detroit Pistons

Projected Starters:

PG- Cade Cunningham

SG- Jaden Ivey

SF- Ausar Thompson

PF- Ron Holland

C- Jalen Duren

Realistic Expectation: Playoff Series Win

This team is one of the most talented teams in the East. They are very young however, so in my opinion getting a playoff series would be a massive success.

Ceiling: Finals

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say they can win the East. They actually remind me a lot of the Thunder’s rebuild, and this team could be like the 2024 Thunder. I don’t see a world where they win the Finals, but in a crazy run, they could make it.

Floor: Play-In

It seems unlikely that they regress this year, but in a worst case scenario they are a play in team. An injury to Cunningham could make this happen.

Golden State Warriors

Projected Starters:

PG- Stephen Curry

SG- Brandin Podziemski

SF- Buddy Hield

PF- Jimmy Butler

C- Draymond Green

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

Honestly, this team should be happy if they just make the playoffs. Curry is coming to the end of his career, and they’ll need to rebuild soon. They aren’t good enough to really compete in the West, so just aim for a playoff appearance. 

Ceiling: WCF

Steph and Jimmy on the same team gives them at least a shot at making a run. If they can snag a top 6 team, don’t count them out at making a crazy run.

Floor: Lottery

It’s harsh, but the West is a harsh league. If one of their stars misses significant time, I’d be shocked if they did make the playoffs.

Houston Rockets

Projected Starters:

PG- Reed Sheppard

SG- Amen Thompson

SF- Kevin Durant

PF- Jabari Smith

C- Alperen Sengun

Realistic Expectation: WCF

The Rockets didn’t make the KD trade to just make the playoffs, they want to make some noise. It’s gonna be tough, but they definitely expect to at least make the WCF.

Ceiling: Championship

A championship would be huge for this franchise, and it’s not impossible. If they can win the West, which will be very difficult, they will win the Finals.

Floor: Play-In

This would be a MASSIVE disappointment, but I see a world where they only make the play in. KD might take a step back, and without Fred VanVleet they do not have a reliable PG.

Indiana Pacers

Projected Starters:

PG- Andrew Nembhard

SG- Ben Mathurin

SF- Aaron Nesmith

PF- Pascal Siakam

C- Jay Huff

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

It’s going to be a disappointment for Pacer fans no matter what happens this year. They just aren’t making the finals again, but they can make a play in appearance, and next year become contenders again.

Ceiling: 2nd Round

It’s possible they snag a playoff spot, then win a big series, but I do not think they get past the 2nd round with this roster.

Floor: Early Lottery

There’s a solid chance this season just spirals for Indiana, they don’t have their star and a well below average starting center. A good lottery pick would be great, and it makes it look great that they got their pick back.

Los Angeles Clippers

Projected Starters:

PG- James Harden

SG- Bradley Beal

SF- Kawhi Leonard

PF- John Collins

C- Ivica Zubac

Realistic Expectation: Playoff Run

No matter how far it goes, the Clippers need to make a run with this roster. The west is stacked so it might not be far, but this team is good enough to make the finals if the cards fall in their favor.

Ceiling: Championship

They are going to need to get extremely lucky with injuries, but it’s possible they can make and win the finals. The Thunder are the only team in the west that I see is levels above them, so if OKC falls early, it could be great for the Clips.

Floor: Play-In

If the injury bug bites, the play in is definitely a possibility for them. The west is so good that Kawhi and Harden missing a month could set them back very far, and with the oldest roster in the NBA, injuries are a guarantee.

Los Angeles Lakers

Projected Starters:

PG- Luka Doncic

SG- Austin Reaves

SF- Rui Hachimura

PF- LeBron James

C- Deandre Ayton

Realistic Expectation: Playoff Appearance

This isn’t a championship team, and coming towards the end of LeBron’s career, the Lakers need to start building for the future. A playoff appearance is a solid achievement, but certainly not the end goal.

Ceiling: Championship

It seems very unlikely, but once they get to the playoffs, Luka and LeBron could definitely make some magic. It’s not impossible.

Floor: Miss the Playoffs

A LeBron or Luka injury could destroy the Lakers season. I can see a possibility where they miss the playoffs if they don’t have one of their stars in the play in.

Memphis Grizzlies

Projected Starters:

PG- Ja Morant

SG- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF- Jaylen Wells

PF- Jaren Jackson Jr

C- Zach Edey

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

It’s a lame goal, but in this conference the play in might just be the expectation for this season in Memphis. They have a solid roster, but missing a key piece or 2.

Ceiling: Playoff Appearance

I hate to say it, but this team is not good enough to win a series in the west. They just don’t have the star power that you need in the playoffs. In the East however, they would definitely be capable.

Floor: Early Lottery

At worst, or best, Ja Morant goes down again and they grab a nice lottery pick. It wouldn’t be the worst outcome, but it would be disappointing to have another year with Morant wasted.

Miami Heat

Projected Starters:

PG- Davion Mitchell

SG- Norman Powell (Tyler Herro out 8-12 weeks)

SF- Andrew Wiggins

PF- Bam Adebayo

C- Kel’el Ware

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

Although the team on paper this team might not look like a playoff team, that’s the expectation for the Heat. Once they get Herro back, I actually like this squad a lot.

Ceiling: ECF

In a crazy run, I can see this team making the conference finals. They will need some luck, but it could happen with this wide open conference.

Floor: Lottery

Perhaps more likely than hitting their ceiling, this season could go very wrong for the Heat. However, if they get lucky and snag a top prospect, that would be great.

Milwaukee Bucks

Projected Starters:

PG- Kevin Porter Jr

SG- Gary Trent Jr

SF- Kyle Kuzma

PF- Giannis Antetokounmpo

C- Myles Turner

Realistic Expectation: Playoff Run

Giannis might be gone if the Bucks don’t make a playoff run. However, when you look at this roster, it is not the type that would be able to do that. It might be a rough year in Milwaukee.

Ceiling: ECF

Giannis can carry them to the East Finals, but not farther than that. There is nobody else on this team who is close to an All Star, and teams will be able to solely focus on Giannis.

Floor: Bottom 5 Team

They do not have their own first, so this would be a disaster, but if Giannis misses time this team will literally be the worst roster in the NBA. They have to pray Giannis stays healthy.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Starters:

PG- Mike Conley

SG- Anthony Edwards

SF- Jaden McDaniels

PF- Julius Randle

C- Rudy Gobert

Realistic Expectation: Finals

It seems like it could be a long shot, but after back to back losses in the conference finals, the Wolves are determined to finally break through.

Ceiling: Championship

Anthony Edwards could be a top 5 player this year, and when you have a top 5 player you have a chance at a championship. Their team is good enough to win, but it’ll be tough.

Floor: 1st Round Exit

No playoff series in the West in a free win, and if they aren’t dialed in, Minnesota could definitely fall unexpectedly in the first round.

New Orleans Pelicans

Projected Starters:

PG- Jordan Poole

SG- Herb Jones

SF- Trey Murphy

PF- Zion Williamson

C- Yves Missi

Realistic Expectation: Development/Stay Healthy

This isn’t a playoff team, but if their young guys can get good development that would be a win for the Pels. If Zion stays healthy and has a good year, that would be a MASSIVE win for the Pels.

Ceiling: Playoff Appearance

If Zion plays 75+ games and plays at an All NBA level, I see a world where they make the play in and snag a spot.

Floor: #1 Pick

This would be a great outcome, but this team can definitely win the lottery. Zion probably won’t stay healthy, and without him they are a very bad team.

New York Knicks

Projected Starters:

PG- Jalen Brunson

SG- Mikal Bridges

SF- Josh Hart

PF- OG Anunoby

C- Karl-Anthony Towns

Realistic Expectation: Win the East

This is arguably the best team in the East, and they know that. They want revenge for losing in the ECF last year, and to not only make, but win the finals. It’ll be tough against whatever West team makes it though.

Ceiling: Championship

They can definitely make the finals, and if you make it you can win it. We saw the Pacers almost beat the Thunder, so there’s no reason why the Knicks couldn’t beat the top West team.

Floor: 1st Round Exit

Something about the Knicks just screams choke. I can see them losing to a team that is objectively worse than them.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected Starters:

PG- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG- Lu Dort

SF- Jalen Williams

PF- Chet Holmgren

C- Isaiah Hartenstein

Realistic Expectation: Win the Finals

After winning last year, there’s only 1 thing that would satisfy the Thunder: another championship.

Ceiling: Best Team of All Time

The record for regular season wins is 73. The 2025-26 Thunder can break that. They have a legit chance to get 74+ wins, win the championship, and go down as the best team of all time.

Floor: 2nd Round Exit

The aren’t losing in the first round, but a 2nd round exit is possible. The Nuggets almost got them last year, and the Mavs did get them the year before.

Orlando Magic

Projected Starters:

PG- Jalen Suggs

SG- Desmond Bane

SF- Franz Wagner

PF- Paolo Banchero

C- Wendell Carter

Realistic Expectation: Playoff Run

They wouldn’t have added Desmond Bane if they didn’t expect to make a splash in the postseason. They have a great team who can definitely win the East. It’s time to make some noise.

Ceiling: Win the East

These guys are capable of making the Finals. Paolo and Franz need to take another jump, but they are right there, and the East is open.

Floor: 1st Round Exit

They could fold in the playoffs again, maybe the pressure is too big for these young guys. In my opinion, they are a lock for the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers

Projected Starters:

PG- Tyrese Maxey

SG- Quentin Grimes

SF- Paul George

PF- Justin Edwards

C- Joel Embiid

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

After the year they had last year, the Sixers just want to get back to the postseason. Embiid needs to stay healthy, and Maxey needs to keep being great.

Ceiling: Win the East

This is a long shot, but if things go perfect they can make the Finals. I’m not saying it’ll happen, but if Embiid plays at an MVP level, Maxey is an All Star, and PG gets back to his normal self, nobody in the East is better than this team.

Floor: Miss the Playoffs

It could essentially become the Tyrese Maxey show. We don’t know what’s going to happen with Joel, and PG will probably be bad again. If that’s the case, they won’t make the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns

Projected Starters:

PG- Devin Booker

SG- Jalen Green

SF- Dillon Brooks

PF- Royce O’Neal

C- Mark Williams

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

If the Suns make the play in, they should be very happy. That would mean that Devin Booker was elite, and the rest of the team was able to mesh. They have a dark future.

Ceiling: Playoff Appearance

They won’t win a series, but if they make the play in they could go ahead and snag that 8 seed, maybe 7.

Floor: Bottom 3 Team

They don’t have their pick, but they could easily be one of the worst teams in the league with a couple injuries.

Portland Trail Blazers

Projected Starters:

PG- Jrue Holiday

SG- Shaedon Sharpe

SF- Deni Avdija

PF- Toumani Camara

C- Donovan Clingan

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

I love the direction Portland is going. A Play-In spot would be great experience for this young team, and they could still get a solid pick.

Ceiling: Playoffs

Like any team in the play in, they would have a chance to grab a playoff spot. It’s probably unlikely, but if Shaedon Sharpe becomes an All Star caliber player, they could be very nice.

Floor: Great Pick

The schedule is very difficult, and even if their team is solid it could cause them to be bad and get a valuable pick, which wouldn’t hurt at all.

Sacramento Kings

Projected Starters:

PG- Dennis Schroder

SG- Zach LaVine

SF- DeMar DeRozen

PF- Keegan Murray

C- Domantis Sabonis

Realistic Expectation: Play-In

3 West play in expectations in a row, but the Kings need to make the postseason in some form with this roster. They are the definition of an in between team, which is never a good thing to be.

Ceiling: 2nd Round

Unlike the previous 2 teams, I can see this team winning a playoff series. They have a unique play style that could give teams some trouble.

Floor: 11-12 Seed

They could miss the play in if their defense just isn’t good enough, which is a real possibility. They could legit be allowing 120+ points a game.

San Antonio Spurs

Projected Starters:

PG- De’Aaron Fox

SG- Stephon Castle

SF- Devin Vassell

PF- Harrison Barnes

C- Victor Wembanyama

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

This is the year Wemby makes his first playoff appearance. He’s got the team around him, it’s time to stay healthy and make it healthy.

Ceiling: WCF

They could make a crazy run if Wemby is just amazing in the playoffs, and they already have a proven clutch player in Fox. I don’t know about the Finals just yet, but this would be huge.

Floor: Lottery

If Wemby goes down again and misses significant time, they could be in real trouble. They have to pray that doesn’t happen.

Toronto Raptors

Projected Starters:

PG- Immanuel Quickley

SG- RJ Barrett

SF- Brandon Ingram

PF- Scottie Barnes

C- Jakob Poeltl

Realistic Expectation: Playoffs

The Raptors have a good enough team where they should be a playoff team in a weak conference. Barrett needs to be better, and they hope that Ingram gets back to his former self.

Ceiling: 2nd Round

They MIGHT be able to knock off a top East team, but that seems unlikely. They won’t get past the 2nd round.

Floor: Lottery

There’s a good chance this roster just doesn’t work, and they miss the playoffs. The Raptors don’t like rebuilding, but getting a top prospect would be great.

Utah Jazz

Projected Starters:

PG- Isaiah Collier

SG- Brice Sensabaugh

SF- Ace Bailey

PF- Lauri Markkanen

C- Walker Kessler

Realistic Expectation: Player Development

The Jazz need to see a huge jump from Cody Williams, and if Collier, George, and Filipowski continue to be good while Bailey has a good rookie year, that would be a success. They don’t want to be good, they want a top pick in this loaded draft.

Ceiling: 35 wins

I’m sorry to Jazz fans, but in no world does this team get more than 35 wins, and they shouldn’t want to anyway.

Floor: Worst Team

In my opinion, this is the worst team in the league right now. They are aiming to get a top pick, and I think they will.

Washington Wizards

Projected Starters:

PG- Bub Carrington

SG- CJ McCollum

SF- Khris Middleton

PF- Bilal Coulibaly

C- Alex Sarr

Realistic Expectation: Player Development

Similar to the Jazz, the Wizards just want to see their young guys continue to develop. Coulibaly and Sarr have a chance to be very good in my opinion, hopefully they take a jump.

Ceiling: Play-In

I might be in the minority, but I think the Wizards could be decent this year. A play in appearance could happen, especially in the East.

Floor: Top Pick

They would love to add another great young talent, and it’s definitely possible they are one of the worst teams.

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