What’s On The Horizon For The Knicks, Clips, Hawks, Magic, and Kings in 2018-19?
It feels like it’s been a long time since the conclusion of last year’s NBA Finals where the Golden State Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers to win back-to-back NBA championships.
There’s been plenty that’s gone down since then with the NBA Draft going pretty much as planned while NBA free agency offered some surprises.
The King is in LA as LeBron James made the move to Hollywood, Paul George stayed put in Oklahoma City while DeMarcus Cousins stunned the NBA world by signing with Golden State for the get minimum.
There’s also been the story that dominated much of the summer with Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs.
A disgruntled Leonard wanted out of San Antonio with the Spurs granting him his wish in a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors for DeMar Derozan.
The NBA also said good bye to one of its most beloved players in Manu Ginobili, who retired in late August after 16 seasons in the Alamo.
Now that the dust has settled and the season beginning next week, the attention will shift from off the court to on the court. Before then I will be previewing and offering predictions for all 30 NBA teams for this upcoming 2018-19 season.
We begin with teams 30 through 25 today as these five teams certainly are rough around the edges but with a little luck, may surprise some in 2018.
Let’s get started!
30. New York Knicks
Photo via nba.com
Record last season: 29-53
Win projection for 2018-19: 33.2 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finishing 10 wins better than last season’s team, Kevin Knox averages 14 PPG on better than 44 percent, Knicks finish in top 15 in points allowed
Prediction: Tim Hardaway Jr. will average 22 PPG.
A streaky shooter and scorer, Tim Hardaway Jr. can a team 30 points one night and completely fall off the face of the earth another night. No worries, with Kristaps Porzingis out and new coach David Fizdale liking to play through his wing players, Hardaway will get plenty of opportunities to score.
29. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers have a far different look than they had two years ago. Photo via clipperholics.com
Record last season: 42-40
Win projection for 2018-19: 21.1 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Finishing 10 wins above win projection, Rookies show promise, Avery Bradley and Patrick Beverley work as backcourt tandem
Prediction: Clippers will continue to trade players to create cap space
It’s a rather ominous thing to predict, specifically for the players who may be traded, but the Clippers are trying to attract multiple big name free agents next summer. With LeBron in LA, Los Angeles for players like Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler may not be as attractive. This is where Doc Rivers and the Clips come into play.
28. Memphis Grizzlies
Photo via bealestreetbears.com
Record last season: 22-60
Win projection for 2018-19: 35.7 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Win 42 games, Make Playoffs, Finish in top 5 in FG percentage defense, Healthy bodies throughout
Prediction: Mike Conley Will Play In 75 or More Games
Mike Conley was incredibly durable to through the first five years of his NBA career as he had only so often missed a number of games for the Grizzlies. Conley missed 70 games last season and overall has missed 109 games over the last three seasons. With a strong off-season, the 12-year vet appears ready to help a Grizzlies team return back to prominence.
27. Sacramento Kings
Photo via barstoolsports.com
Record last season: 27-55
Win projection for 2018-19: 29.5 wins
O/U: Over
Successful season: Finishing five wins above win projection, Willie Caulie-Stein averages better than 8.5 RPG, De’Aaron Fox shoots better than 34 percent from 3-Point range
Prediction: Kings Will Be An Exciting Team
Kings fans will have to wait a little longer before they see their team in the postseason, but that doesn’t mean excitement won’t be found when watching this young team. The thought of watching De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley on a fast break already has the NBA super fan excited for what’s to come in 2018-19.
26. Orlando Magic
Photo by Associated Press
Record last season: 25-57
Win projection for 2018-19: 29.3
O/U: Under
Successful season: Win 40 games, Finish in top 10 in points allowed, Six players average double-digit scoring
Prediction: Mo Bamba Leads The Magic In Blocks
The 7’1 freak athlete has competition for team shot block leader in Bismack Biyombo. However, if Bamba does indeed surpass Biyombo in minutes as expected, the big man averaging has a chance to average close to two blocks a game.
25. Atlanta Hawks
Photo by Getty Images
Record last season: 24-58
Win projection for 2018-19: 35.4 wins
O/U: Under
Successful season: Win 40 games, Finish in top 10 in scoring, Trae Young shoots better than 44 percent from the field
Prediction: Trae Young will lead all rookies in scoring
The Atlanta Hawks have a need for scoring, and the dynamic young scorer out of Oklahoma sure can provide that. While he’ll have his growing pains, free reign to take as many shots as any rookie will this season will result in the rookie averaging around 17-18 PPG during the 2018-19 season.
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