You could argue that, if Zion not only stays healthy but has a breakout season, hardly far-fetched given his talent, then could New Orleans do what Sacramento did last season? The Pelicans would definitely be in the mix for the playoffs, and at the very least the Play-In Tournament. For the purposes of this story, let’s assume Zion does indeed manage to keep his body intact. They failed to make the playoffs without him last season when they went 25-28 minus their Franchise Guy. They managed to put a first-round scare into the Suns two years ago without him but that was an abnormality. Essentially, Williamson hasn’t been the picture of health, and the Pelicans, therefore, have been stuck in a holding pattern.

Including, and especially, their playoff chances. There’s a four-letter word that’ll be spoken loudly and in public - even in churches - throughout New Orleans this upcoming season that will explain everything:Īs in, If Zion stays healthy … that’s how everything with regard to the 2023-24 Pelicans will be prefaced. New Orleans has its eyes on the playoffs after losing in the Play-In Tournament last season.

Let’s just say if all goes right in Dallas, there will be no need to tank. Still, Dallas has a pair of certified All-Stars and it’s rare when those teams are denied the postseason.Īs much as it was a surprise to see the Mavericks sitting at home last spring, it’ll be an even bigger one if they’re doing so next spring. It’s true that the competition since then is tougher. Remember, this team minus Kyrie went to the Western Conference Finals two years ago. Assuming good health, the Kyrie and Luka Doncic backcourt is too creative to be denied the playoffs.Īlso, the Mavs had a solid offseason in terms of fortifying the supporting cast, bringing back Seth Curry and adding a solid defender in Grant Williams, while Richaun Holmes and Dante Exum are wild cards. 1 pick from the Knicks.īut that’s probably not going to be the case this season. Also, the Mavs made some, ahem, strategic decisions in the final weeks and missed the playoffs but kept their No. Kyrie Irving didn’t arrive until midseason and then missed critical games. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic came up just short last season in their attempt to lead Dallas to the playoffs.ĭallas was the surprise non-playoff team of 2022-23, although there were reasons for that. Therefore, here are four lottery teams from 2022-23 with the best chance of making the playoffs next season, three from the West and one from the East: Unexpected surprises are the norm in this league. If Memphis can withstand those missed games, that’s seven teams with strong playoff credentials. And that’s not mentioning the Grizzlies, winners of 51 games and second place last season, only because Ja Morant will miss the first 25 games due to suspension. The defending champion Nuggets, Kings, Suns, Warriors, Clippers and Lakers are your near-locks, leaving two spots up for grabs. That’s six near-locks for eight playoff spots, and then there’s the Nets and Hawks who are seemingly the best of the rest.

It won’t be easy to shake up the order in either conference, especially the East as the Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, Cavs, Knicks and Heat bring back the same level of talent. Or to take a step further: Which teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season could, and maybe should, make it in 2023-24. With the summer business of basketball almost done - maybe you heard a few times that Portland might make a blockbuster move before fall - it’s not too early to forecast which teams could make the playoffs next season. Tyrese Haliburton and Zion Williamson look to lead their teams back to the postseason.

Rich grant touchdown ventures