Donovan Mitchell is playing out of his mind this season.
The three-time All-Star is playing arguably the best ball of his career so far while leading the 8-2 Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s shooting at career clips from inside and outside the arc and showing improved defensive effort. It’s early, but he’s on track to receiving his first All-NBA nomination.
On the other side of the country, Devin Booker continues to prove himself as one of the very best players in basketball for the 7-3 Phoenix Suns.
With all that being said, the Devin Booker versus Donovan Mitchell debate is as contested as ever. The two have been neck-and-neck for a while now. Mitchell wore the crown from 2019-20 to 2020-21, but Booker claimed it this past season when his all-league play for the top-seeded Suns squad had him firmly in the MVP race.
Mitchell’s sensational start to the 2021-22 campaign has reopened those conversations, and it’s time to finally come to a conclusion. I’ll be making the case for both stars and giving my verdict at the end.
Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell, aka Spida, burst onto the scene his rookie year averaging 20 points per game and helping the Jazz to the playoffs. There, they advanced to the second round in six games behind 28 PPG from their star freshman. In the following four seasons, Mitchell and company won 50, 44, 52, and 49 games but only managed to survive the first round once in 2021. That consistent disappointment caused trade rumblings that eventually turned into reality. Now Mitchell is headlining a very talented young Cavaliers squad that looks ready to make real noise in the East.
Mitchell has been a winner his whole career (in the regular season, at least) because he’s an offensive engine. He’s an absolutely electric bucket-getter. He’s a career 24 PPG scorer and he’s putting up 31 per contest this year.
His standout offensive facet is his finishing. His ridiculous athleticism allows him to have his way at the rim. He was in the 97th percentile of finishing talent and 93rd percentile of rim shot creation in 2021-22 (via BBall Index). He’s a one-man aerial circus every time he takes off, putting on the acrobat and strongman (89th percentile contact finisher via BBall Index) acts all by himself.
Mitchell’s all-world finishing generates some serious gravity. When he starts getting downhill toward the rim, all eyes are on him and the help defense collapses. He excels at making punch-and-spray passes, creating easy threes for his teammates. He dished out 5.7 high-value assists (layup or three-point assists) per 75 possessions in 2021-22, placing him in the 91st percentile (once again via BBall Index). While assists aren’t a perfect representation of playmaking, that number reflects the number of great looks he is able to produce using his gravity to his advantage.
Mitchell is equally as elite on the perimeter as he is in the paint. He shot 35.5% from beyond the arc on 9.8 attempts per game in 2021-22, which doesn’t jump off the page, but when you look deeper you find out just how good of a shooter he is. He was the sole creator in Utah, so the difficulty of his shot diet was absurd. His openness rating and 3PT shot quality both graded in the bottom 2% of the league last season.
With that in mind, his 45.1% success rate through the first nine contests of this season is wildly impressive. Keeping this up would elevate him into best shooter in the league talks.
The offense has never been a question mark for Mitchell. It’s the defense that has caused some to doubt him as one of the best players in hoops. His effort on that end has been lackluster at times which is honestly understandable considering the massive workload he carried throughout his tenure in Utah. Still, looking at his strength and length (his wingspan is a startling 6’10”, nine inches larger than his height), average defense at the least seems like a reasonable expectation.
While his on-ball guarding is still a work in progress, he’s contributing through defensive playmaking in Cleveland. He’s disruptive in the passing lanes and he delivers a sweet block here and there, and his 2.0 stocks per game so far is the best mark of his career.
Devin Booker
The youngest player to ever put up 60+ points in a game, the simplest way to describe Booker is a straight bucket. He’s put up over 25 PPG for five straight seasons (assuming he keeps that number up this year), and at just 26 years old he has many more years of scorching the net to come. Unfortunately, it took him until the 2020-21 season to completely overcome the “empty stats” allegations (a frankly stupid claim, by the way). Even then, Chris Paul still got a large amount of the credit for turning the Suns into a contender. 2021-22 finally saw Booker get recognition as not only Phoenix’s best player but as one of the best in the league. He earned All-NBA first-team honors and garnered real MVP buzz. Even still, it seems Devin Booker doesn’t get all the love he deserves.
Perhaps that can be attributed to his style of play. Booker is one of the most prolific mid-range assassins in the game, an art not appreciated as much as it should be in the age of key, three, and free. Over 30% of his career shot attempts have come in that middle area and he consistently knocks down well over 40% of them. He’s methodical in his approach, stroking beautiful pull-ups time and time again while making it look easy as can be. His excellency as a shooter also extends behind the arc, especially as a catch-and-shooter. He finished in the 90th percentile of catch-and-shooters in the NBA last season (via BBall Index).
Just like his scoring, Booker’s passing won’t always jump off the page, but he makes great decisions and can find open allies almost just as well as Mitchell. He ranked in the 95th percentile of passing creation quality in 2021-22.
Mitchell’s offensive is on par with Booker’s, but it was on the other end of the floor where Booker separated himself last season. He quietly proved to be a rock-solid on-ball defender, something Mitchell cannot claim to be as mentioned before. He’s not locking down opposing stars or anything like that, but he can be relied on to put in effort and get stops which goes a long way.
The Verdict
After breaking down each guy’s game and case for the title of best shooting guard, it’s time to make my pick.
Drumroll, please.
The best shooting guard in the NBA is Devin Booker.
However, the fun part about sports is there’s never a correct answer. If you think Booker is better, you’re right. If you think Mitchell, you’re also right. Better yet, opinions can change. I’d love to hear your take on the matter. I’m always down for a hoops discussion on my Twitter, @thebenchmobblog. Thanks for reading, see you next time!
The 2022 NBA rookie class has been beyond impressive through the 2022-23 season’s first week. First-overall pick Paolo Banchero is averaging over 20 points per game and is looking like an All-Star already. Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray, Jalen Duren, Jeremy Sochan, and others are doing their thing as well.
Among all those names, the player who has stood out to me the most in this seemingly star-studded class is Bennedict Mathurin.
Mathurin, the ninth-overall pick, has posted 19.2 PPG across the first six games of his career. His game is smooth and he oozes confidence on the court. He was projected to be a high-end role player before the draft but has proven to have significantly higher upside already.
The best players in basketball make it look easy. Giannis Antetokounmpo blows through defenders like they’re not even there. Kevin Durant effortlessly strokes fadeaways over anyone thrown at him. Steph Curry drains thirty-footers in his sleep. Bennedict Mathurin is barely 20 years old and he’s making hard things look simple.
The rookie’s prime skill coming out of college was three-point shooting, but it’s at the rim where he’s looked the best in the pros. He’s 14-20 (70%) on shots within three feet of the hoop.
Mathurin’s fantastic body control makes him look like a wizard in the air sometimes. Ridiculous acrobatics like this are impossible for the average human and he does them like they’re nothing.
He can brush off contact even in mid-air. He’s finished three and-ones in six contests which places him in the top thirty in the league.
Reverses, euro steps, he does it all. His bag of tricks is a deep one.
He excels when he can get the ball and get downhill, so catch-and-drives are his specialty. This action was perfectly set up for him as he was able to catch the ball in stride off a curl. Once he had the advantage he put his aerial wizardry on full display.
He’s a play-finisher rather than a creator at this point, but he does make good decisions in the P&R. It’s easy to have tunnel vision heading downhill and these are nice heads-up passes to his roll man.
His finishing ability has been the standout facet of his game, but Mathurin’s shooting has been as advertised. Along with hitting shots off the catch, he also knocks down plenty of in-rhythm pull-ups. His stroke is silky smooth.
He’s connected on 13 of his 35 tries from deep so far, a 37% success rate.
A perfect word to describe Mathurin is fearless. He’s a big-time competitor and doesn’t shy away in crunch time.
This is from his very first game in the league!
Simply put, he’s got that dawg in him.
Bennedict Mahturin’s hot start to his career has been a blast. He’ll be firmly in the running for Rookie of the Year and is looking like a sure-fire All-Rookie first-teamer. There is so much to like in his game and he has star written all over him because he makes basketball look easy.
NBA day is finally upon us, and to celebrate the conclusion of the offseason it’s time to predict the top 100 players of the 2022-23 season. This is my third edition of this list and I’m hoping it will be my most accurate one. It’s always a blast trying to guess which players will make big jumps and which will regress.
I’ll be doing things a little differently this time around. Instead of writing a little paragraph for each individual player, I’ve separated the list into thirteen tiers (plus the honorable mentions, of course).
Let’s get into it!
Honorable Mentions (110-101):
110: Spencer Dinwiddie (2022 Rank: 108)
109: Jusuf Nurkic (2022 Rank: 95)
108: Devin Vassell (2022 Rank: N/A)
107: Kyle Lowry (2022 Rank: 89)
106: Caris LeVert (2022 Rank: 80)
105: Cole Anthony (2022 Rank: 109)
104: Dillon Brooks (2022 Rank: 97)
103: Mike Conley (2022 Rank: 90)
102: Brook Lopez (2022 Rank: 104)
101: Seth Curry (2022 Rank: 88)
Most Likely to Rise: Vassell
Most Likely to Drop: Brooks
Tier 13: The Interchangables
100: Luguentz Dort (2022 Rank: 103)
99: Jabari Smith Jr. (2022 Rank: N/A)
98: Buddy Hield (2022 Rank: 91)
97: Derrick White (2022 Rank: 82)
96: Kyle Kuzma (2022 Rank: 79)
95: Josh Giddey (2022 Rank: N/A)
94: Markelle Fultz (2022 Rank: N/A)
93: Jakob Poeltl (2022 Rank: 78)
92: Bojan Bogdanovic (2022 Rank: 83)
91: Lonzo Ball (2022 Rank: 92)
90: Gary Trent Jr. (2022 Rank: 85)
Most Likely to Rise: Ball
Most Likely to Drop: Smith Jr.
Nearly everyone in this tier has a case to be at the top of it. There are some really interesting names here, including passing whizz Josh Giddey, 2022 All-Defense snub Derrick White, and former first-overall pick Markelle Fultz. Lonzo Ball is a healthy season away from moving up significantly higher on this list. And, I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again, Jakob Poeltl is one of the most underrated players in hoops.
Tier 12: Island of Misfit Toys
89: Russell Westbrook (2022 Rank: 46)
88: Myles Turner (2022 Rank: 71)
87: Norman Powell (2022 Rank: 76)
86: Julius Randle (2022 Rank: 73)
85: Nikola Vucevic (2022 Rank: 63)
84: Clint Capela (2022 Rank: 68)
83: Marcus Smart (2022 Rank: 69)
Most Likely to Rise: Turner
Most Likely to Drop: Westbrook
These guys have basically nothing in common, hence the tier’s title. Reigning DPOY Marcus Smart’s ranking seems low but in such a talented league he needs to do more offensively to place higher. Julius Randle’s 2021 season, while fantastic, seems like a fluke at this point and it will take a lot from him to return to that level. Myles Turner could see increased production on a Pacers team in full tank mode and outperform this prediction. There’s not much to say about Westbrook besides he has a lot to prove this year.
Tier 11: Young Guys & Klay Thompson
82: Franz Wagner (2022 Rank: 87)
81: Kevin Porter Jr. (2022 Rank: 98)
80: Paolo Banchero (2022 Rank: N/A)
79: Klay Thompson (2022 Rank: 58)
78: Tyler Herro (2022 Rank: 61)
77: Saddiq Bey (2022 Rank: 86)
76: Robert Williams III (2022 Rank: 75)
75: Jalen Brunson (2022 Rank: 70)
74: Collin Sexton (2022 Rank: N/A)
Most Likely to Rise: Williams III
Most Likely to Drop: Bey
His case will be hurt by the injury causing him to miss time to start the season, but Robert Williams has a real shot at winning DPOY with his sensational shot-swatting. Collin Sexton also has a great chance of ranking higher than this because he will have the ultimate green light in Utah as they look to enter the Victor Wembenyama sweepstakes. My pick for Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero, is joining Franz Wagner, the aforementioned Markelle Fultz, and the soon-to-be-mentioned Wendell Carter Jr. to form a super-fun squad in Orlando. And, mark my words, this is the year KPJ will hush all of his skeptics.
Tier 10: High-Level Role Players, Two MIP Candidates, & the Reigning Rookie of the Year
73: Gordon Hayward (2022 Rank: 59)
72: Tobias Harris (2022 Rank: 66)
71: Malcolm Brogdon (2022 Rank: 65)
70: Jonas Valanciunas (2022 Rank: 55)
69: Keldon Johnson (2022 Rank: 84)
68: John Collins (2022 Rank: 67)
67: Mikal Bridges (2022 Rank: 60)
66: Kristaps Porzingis (2022 Rank: 49)
65: Jerami Grant (2022 Rank: 62)
64: OG Anunoby (2022 Rank: 57)
63: Wendell Carter Jr. (2022 Rank: 81)
62: Scottie Barnes (2022 Rank: 77)
61: Michael Porter Jr. (2022 Rank: N/A)
60: Christian Wood (2022 Rank: 64)
59: Jaren Jackson Jr. (2022 Rank: 54)
58: Terry Rozier (2022 Rank: 45)
57: Draymond Green (2022 Rank: 32)
56: Deandre Ayton (2022 Rank: 43)
55: Andrew Wiggins (2022 Rank: 42)
Most Likely to Rise: Porter Jr.
Most Likely to Drop: Hayward
This tier is composed of tip-top role players, headlined by the man whose revolutionized game earned him his first All-Star appearance last season, Andrew Wiggins. Other notable names here include underrated bucket Terry Rozier, unhappy Deandre Ayton, All-Defensive First-Teamers Jaren Jackson and Mikal Bridges, and monstrous rebounder Jonas Valanciunas. Michael Porter Jr. could land himself in the top fifty if he connects on his inhuman amount of triples deep in the playoffs. Wendell Carter Jr. and Keldon Johnson will both garner some serious Most Improved buzz.
Tier 9: Whole Lotta Ones (and some others sprinkled in)
54: Jordan Poole (2022 Rank: 52)
53: D’Angelo Russell (2022 Rank: 44)
52: Evan Mobley (2022 Rank: 74)
51: Tyrese Maxey (2022 Rank: 53)
50: Jalen Green (2022 Rank: 107)
49: R.J. Barrett (2022 Rank: 56)
48: Desmond Bane (2022 Rank: 51)
47: Cade Cunningham (2022 Rank: 72)
46: Anfernee Simons (2022 Rank: 50)
45: C.J. McCollum (2022 Rank: 39)
44: Fred VanVleet (2022 Rank: 35)
43: Jamal Murray (2022 Rank: N/A)
42: Ben Simmons (2022 Rank: N/A)
41: Domantas Sabonis (2022 Rank: 40)
40: Tyrese Haliburton (2022 Rank: 47)
39: Jarrett Allen (2022 Rank: 33)
38: LaMelo Ball (2022 Rank: 37)
37: Chris Paul (2022 Rank: 17)
36: De’Aaron Fox (2022 Rank: 38)
Most Likely to Rise: Fox
Most Likely to Drop: Green
This massive tier includes a sizeable chunk of the league’s starting point guards. De’Aaron Fox is most likely to rise above the rest if he can take a leap as a shooter and defender and lead the Kings to the playoffs. Tyrese Haliburton will be better than Domantas Sabonis only a few months removed from when they were traded for each other. Ben Simmons has a lot of doubters right now but I think he’ll prove them wrong. The very talented 2021 draft class will have three members hovering around the top fifty, although it may be a season early for Jalen Green. Chris Paul, while still an absolute point god, has shown signs of regression and this will probably be the season where his age catches up to him.
Tier 8: Land of the Secondary Stars
35: Bam Adebayo (2022 Rank: 28)
34: Dejounte Murray (2022 Rank: 26)
33: Anthony Edwards (2022 Rank: 36)
32: Jaylen Brown (2022 Rank: 27)
31: Pascal Siakam (2022 Rank: 25)
30: Bradley Beal (2022 Rank: 41)
29: Zach LaVine (2022 Rank: 20)
28: Khris Middleton (2022 Rank: 34)
27: Jrue Holiday (2022 Rank: 19)
26: Rudy Gobert (2022 Rank: 24)
Most Likely to Rise: Beal
Most Likely to Drop: Murray
This tier is full of the very best supporting stars in the association. When crafting this list, having players like Adebayo and Brown in the thirties felt crazy. But, I kept thinking about it and I just couldn’t bring them higher. That reflects the absurd amount of talent in the NBA today. Putting Dejounte as the most likely to drop hurts but there’s a world where his fit next to Trae is questionable and it makes him look worse.
Tier 7: Fluke or Reality?
25: DeMar DeRozan (2022 Rank: 11)
24: James Harden (2022 Rank: 29)
Most Likely to Rise: Harden
Most Likely to Drop: DeRozan
2022 was an outlier year for DeMar and Harden. For DeMar, he had the best season of his career at age 32. He generated real MVP buzz in the first half of the season and led the Bulls to their first playoff appearance in a few years. The opposite was true for former MVP Harden, as his campaign was one of his worst (although it was influenced by injuries). Can DeMar replicate his All-NBA production again? Can Harden return to his All-NBA self? 2023 is a prove-it year for both stars.
Tier 6: Slept-On Young Stars
23: Brandon Ingram (2022 Rank: 23)
22: Darius Garland (2022 Rank: 21)
21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2022 Rank: 22)
Most Likely to Rise: Garland
Most Likely to Drop: Gilgeous-Alexander
These three All-Stars (well, two All-Stars and one guy bound to get the nod soon) all play for smaller markets, so while many people acknowledge them not everyone recognizes just how good they are. All three are extremely talented and deserve more love. They could all reach the top fifteen within three seasons.
Tier 5: Unpredictables
20: Karl-Anthony Towns (2022 Rank: 14)
19: Zion Williamson (2022 Rank: N/A)
18: Kyrie Irving (2022 Rank: 18)
17: Jimmy Butler (2022 Rank: 13)
16: Anthony Davis (2022 Rank: 30)
Most Likely to Rise: Davis
Most Likely to Drop: Towns
There are a lot of question marks in this grouping. Can AD stay on the court and regain top-ten status? Can Zion stay healthy? Can Jimmy maintain his streak of insane playoff performances? Will Kyrie treat basketball like a full-time job and contribute to a deep Nets playoff run? Will KAT keep his title as best Timberwolf? There’s a lot of talent here and there are an equal amount of outside factors that could cause these players’ rankings to fluctuate.
(I don’t really view Jimmy Butler as a question mark but I had to lump him in this group.)
Tier 4: Young Backcourt Phenoms
15: Donovan Mitchell (2022 Rank: 15)
14: Devin Booker (2022 Rank: 9)
13: Ja Morant (2022 Rank: 10)
12: Trae Young (2022 Rank: 12)
Most Likely to Rise: Young
Most Likely to Drop: Mitchell
This tier features two very fun discussions. Between two of the most electric one-man shows in hoops, who is better? How about between two elite bucket-getters and certified winners at the shooting guard position? Regardless of your stance in those arguments, all of these guys are studs in the backcourt and they’re still getting better.
Tier 3: Stars Coming Off Injuries & Jayson Tatum
11: Paul George (2022 Rank: 16)
10: Damian Lillard (2022 Rank: 31)
9: Jayson Tatum (2022 Rank: 8)
Most Likely to Rise: Tatum
Most Likely to Drop: George
While Dame and PG13 both played enough games to qualify for my 2022 list, they were hurt for the majority of the year. They will both (hopefully) be fully healthy for this upcoming season and reestablish themselves as top-ten caliber players. Jayson Tatum is on the cusp of putting himself in legitimate top-five conversations, but he won’t reach that this year with all of the certified superstars above him.
Tier 2: 2010s Superstars
8: Stephen Curry (2022 Rank: 5)
7: LeBron James (2022 Rank: 7)
6: Kawhi Leonard (2022 Rank: N/A)
5: Kevin Durant (2022 Rank: 3)
Most Likely to Rise: Leonard
Most Likely to Drop: Curry
The biggest names of the last decade have reached the twilight of their primes, but are still some of the very best players in basketball. Coming off a season where Steph won Finals MVP, LeBron set a career-high in points per game at age 37, and KD was in MVP talks before he got injured, it’s clear that they are all still operating at the highest level. Appreciate these guys while they are still here.
Tier 1: No Surprises Here
4: Luka Doncic (2022 Rank: 6)
3: Joel Embiid (2022 Rank: 4)
2: Nikola Jokic (2022 Rank: 2)
1: Giannis Antetokounmpo (2022 Rank: 1)
Most Likely to Drop: Doncic
The usual suspects will run the league once again in 2023. Giannis has graduated from best player in the league right now talks and has moved on to all-time discussions, and could be a top-twenty player ever by the end of this year. Nikola Jokic is on his way to that status, as a third MVP or a ring this season would make his resumé very similar to the Greek Freak’s. Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic are my two favorites for MVP. These four will be up here for the better part of this decade.
With training camp wrapping up and preseason underway, rosters are mostly solidified across the league. That means it’s time for my 2022-23 NBA preseason power rankings. My rankings are based on a combination of predicted regular season and postseason success (with playoffs holding more weight) and take into account roster talent, fit, and past success and/or failure. Here we go!
1: Milwaukee Bucks (3 Seed in East)
Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis Jr.
The Bucks were a healthy Khris Middleton away from a potential repeat last season. While their offseason wasn’t flashy (their main addition was Joe Ingles), it got the job done. Major contributors Bobby Portis and Wesley Matthews are back in the Cream City and starting big man Brook Lopez will be healthy for a full season, putting the 2021 champs back at full strength and in position to return to the promised land with the best player in basketball at the helm.
2: Los Angeles Clippers (4 Seed in West)
Key Players: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, John Wall, Norman Powell, Reggie Jackson
With superstar Kawhi Leonard returning to the court after missing the 2021-22 season, the Clippers are looking scary. The elite tandem of Kawhi and Paul George headlines a squad with at least twelve rotation-caliber players that offer a combination of knockdown shooting (Norman Powell, Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris Sr.) and rock-solid defense (Robert Covington, Nicolas Batum, Ivica Zubac). While I don’t expect them to dominate the regular season, the Clippers will make a deep playoff run and are my pick to make it out of the West in 2023.
3: Golden State Warriors (1 Seed in West)
Key Players: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson
It seems like the sun will never set on the Golden State dynasty. The iconic trio of Steph, Klay, and Draymond are still leading their team to rings while the next generation of Dubs grows around them. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole both blossomed last season for the reigning champs, and with similar growth expected from James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, and others the Warriors will continue to contend for the next decade.
4: Boston Celtics (1 Seed in East)
Key Players: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, Derrick White
Ime Udoka’s suspension is a big problem for a Boston squad coming off a Finals loss, but it’s hard to count out the team with perhaps the best top seven in the association. The menacing defensive unit that brought them to the Finals is still intact and they will once again stifle opposing offenses in 2023. On the other end, Malcolm Brogdon answers Boston’s need for a true point guard and will help elevate them to another level. The Celtics will compete for their 18th banner with or without Ime Udoka.
5: Denver Nuggets (3 Seed in West)
Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr.
The common theme of key players returning continues with the Nuggets. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are rejoining Nikola Jokic on the court to form a deadly offensive trio that could run the West. With a solid group of role players including Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope around them, the back-to-back MVP has a chance of winning his first championship.
6: Phoenix Suns (2 Seed in West)
Key Players: Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges
After falling short against the Mavericks in embarrassing fashion, the Suns have a lot to prove this season. They’ve been a great regular-season team since Chris Paul arrived, but can they take it to the next level? Jae Crowder not showing up for training camp and Monty Williams supposedly not talking to Deandre Ayton all summer are not good signs for a roster seemingly already on the brink of falling apart. This is a make-or-break year for the Valley Boys.
7: Philadelphia 76ers (2 Seed in East)
Key Players: Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris
The 76ers have been on the cusp of true contention for a few years now and they might finally reach that status in 2023. Joel Embiid is one of the most dominant forces in the game and he forms a top-of-the-line trio with former MVP James Harden and young star Tyrese Maxey. Philly also bolstered their depth with defensive-minded role players P.J. Tucker and De’Anthony Melton. This might be the best roster Embiid has had around him in his career and they have their sights firmly set on the Larry O’Brien.
Adding Donovan Mitchell to one of the league’s top young cores and League Pass teams is not only a recipe for fun but also for success. Mitchell and Darius Garland will torch opposing defenses every night and Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will cover up for their defensive deficiencies. This up-and-coming Cavs squad will win a lot of games and be a tough out in the playoffs
#9: Miami Heat (6 Seed in East)
Key Players: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry
Miami was a Jimmy Butler miss away from the Finals last season. Fueled by that defeat they are likely “stupidly locked in” for 2022-23, looking to return to the big stage. However, other top Eastern Conference teams improved around them while they added nobody besides rookies. It will be a tough road through the playoffs for Miami and they will need bigger contributions from Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro (and someone to step up and fill the gaping hole at the four) to fulfill their championship aspirations.
The Hawks needed to get better after a disappointing round-one loss to Miami where Trae Young struggled mightily, and they did just that by acquiring All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the Spurs. Dejounte will take pressure off Trae offensively and make up for the offensive phenom’s defensive struggles, making the duo one of the top backcourts in the NBA. Around them is an awesome young roster including two potential breakout players in De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu. If everything clicks for this squad they will compete for a ‘chip.
#11: Memphis Grizzlies (5 Seed in West)
Key Players: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Tyus Jones
The Grizzlies exploded onto the scene in 2021-22 behind Ja Morant’s meteoric rise. They finished with the second-best record in the league and lost competitively to the eventual champs in the second round. While it will be tough for them to recreate that same magic in the ultra-competitive West, the Grizz will still be one of the most exciting shows in basketball.
#12: Brooklyn Nets (7 Seed in East)
Key Players: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons
Brooklyn’s offseason was a roller coaster with Kevin Durant requesting a trade and ultimately deciding to stay. With their all-time great committed to the team (for now), they now have a roster that is a championship contender on paper. So much has gone wrong for them in the KD-Kyrie era that I am not comfortable putting them in that tier, but there is a world where the Nets raise a banner at the end of the 2022-23 season.
2021-22 was a successful campaign for the Wolves as they made the playoffs for the second time since Karl-Anthony Towns was drafted and lost in six games to Memphis. After that, they decided to go all in and trade for three-time DPOY Rudy Gobert. Next to KAT and budding superstar Anthony Edwards, Gobert will help cement Minnesota as a playoff squad. To be more than a tough early exit, Ant will have to take another massive leap and put himself in top twenty conversations.
#14: Dallas Mavericks (7 Seed in West)
Key Players: Luka Doncic, Christian Wood, Spencer Dinwiddie
Super-duper star Luka Doncic led the Mavs to the Conference Finals last season, embarrassing the top-seeded Suns in the process. Losing Jalen Brunson hurts them but with star big man Christian Wood and a plethora of rock-solid role players they could replicate their 2022 postseason because Luka magic can never be counted out.
#15: New Orleans Pelicans (8 Seed in West)
Key Players: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, Herb Jones
This New Orleans squad opened a lot of eyes in the 2022 playoffs, pushing the Suns to six games behind a fantastic series from Brandon Ingram. With Zion Williamson rejoining this young and deep group on the hardwood, don’t sleep on the Pelicans this season because there’s a world where they’re a homecourt team come April.
#16: Los Angeles Lakers (9 Seed in West)
Key Players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook
I have no idea what to expect from the Lakers this year. Will LeBron continue his inhuman longevity? Will AD stay healthy and play like the top-ten player he once was? Will Russell Westbrook turn things around after a shocking 2021-22 season? Are the role players around the big three good enough? The Lakers could either bottom out or play like a legitimate contender in 2023, so I’ve settled on somewhere in the middle.
#17: Chicago Bulls (8 Seed in East)
Key Players: DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams
Chicago returned to relevance behind DeMar DeRozan’s All-NBA campaign in 2022 and has their sights set on something more for this year. A lot will have to go right for them to make it out of the first round, though. DeMar needs to replicate last year, Lonzo needs to stay healthy, Vucevic needs to return to All-Star form, and Patrick Williams needs to make a big jump if the Bulls are to make any real noise.
The greatest Blazer ever is back healthy and ready to compete again. He has a solid, well-rounded group around him including Simons, Grant, and Nurkic. The 10 seed seems low for Portland but the West is stacked and it’s tough to put them above the nine teams ahead of them. Never count out Damian Lillard, though, because if he’s playing like the top ten player he was in 2021 they will make the playoffs.
#19: Toronto Raptors (9 Seed in East)
Key Players: Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto has one of the deepest and most well-rounded rosters in the association, and their starting five is as good as anybody’s. The only thing holding them back is they lack “the guy” who can elevate them to the next level. Pascal Siakam is an All-NBA forward but isn’t good enough to be the best player on a championship team. Fans of the team are convinced Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes will be that guy, but he isn’t right now and that’s why the Raptors will finish in the play-in.
#20: Sacramento Kings (11 Seed in West)
Key Players: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray
The Kings are finally on the path back to relevancy. Acquiring two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, drafting Keegan Murray, and adding role players like Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk have put Sacramento in a position to compete after missing the playoffs for a ridiculous 16 seasons straight. With De’Aaron Fox leading the charge this team will be fun to watch as they try to end the drought.
The Wizards have been stuck in mediocracy for the last few seasons, and that’s not going to change this year. With Bradley Beal locked up on the supermax they are looking to compete but the roster around him is not good enough to get any further than the play-in. Young players such as Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, and Daniel Gafford are bright spots for Washington, and Beal’s scoring is always fun, but this team is nothing too special.
#22: New York Knicks (11 Seed in East)
Key Players: R.J. Barrett, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes
I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again: New York needs to commit to the youth movement. R.J. Barrett is a star and they have a group of long-term contributors around him. Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin, Cam Reddish, and Miles McBride are all going to be good NBA players, not to mention new signee Jalen Brunson who is just entering his prime and is still getting better. The Knicks are not good enough to compete and it’s time to let the young guys take over.
#23: Orlando Magic (12 Seed in East)
Key Players: Wendell Carter Jr., Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony
The Magic have quietly built one of the best young cores in the NBA. First overall Paolo Banchero projects to be a number one option and will complete this squad of guys that have flown under the radar. They will surprise a lot of people this year while still finishing in the lottery.
#24: Charlotte Hornets (13 Seed in East)
Key Players: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington
With Miles Bridges likely gone, this Hornets roster is looking very bleak. LaMelo Ball is one of the most exciting young guards in the league and Terry Rozier is a bucket but they don’t have much else going for them at this point. Charlotte still has playoff aspirations but won’t be able to reach them and it’s possible they are the worst team in the East come April. However, they will still be fun to watch as long as LaMelo and Terry are hooping and Eric Collins is calling games.
#25: Detroit Pistons (14 Seed in East)
Key Players: Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Isaiah Stewart
Motor City added their engine and franchise player in Cade Cunningham last year. With a big leap from Cade coming this season, the Pistons will competitively tank with improvement from Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, Marvin Bagley, and others as well. Bojan Bogdanovic might also have a sneaky good season with Cade serving him easy looks nightly.
#26: Oklahoma City Thunder (12 Seed in West)
Key Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexader, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Tre Mann
Second-overall pick Chet Holmgren going down with injury is a tough blow for the Thunder, but it means they can commit to the tank for another year. Josh Giddey, Jalen (JDub) Williams, Tre Mann, and others will be able to spread their wings fully while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander puts himself firmly in both All-Star and top-twenty player conversations.
With Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and T.J. Warren off the roster, the Pacers are entering their first full season of a long overdue rebuild after being a perennial first-round exit. Tyrese Haliburton is a fantastic offensive player and will cement himself as their lead guard for the future this year. Bottoming out will give them a shot at getting Victor Wembanyama which would give much-needed attention to the team that finished last in attendance in 2021-22.
#28: Houston Rockets (13 Seed in West)
Key Players: Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Boban Marjanovic
Who needs James Harden? After losing the 2018 MVP two years ago the Rockets have rebuilt quickly and now have a very promising backcourt in his place. Both Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. are star talents and will prove that to those doubting them this season. Next to them are third-overall pick Jabari Smith Jr., fellow first-round pick Tari Eason, and others. This team will be a lot of fun in 2023 as they continue to grow.
#29: San Antonio Spurs (14 Seed in West)
Key Players: Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Jakob Poeltl, Josh Primo, Jeremy Sochan
Trading homegrown All-Star Dejounte Murray officially marked the end of San Antonio’s incredible competitive streak. They are tanking to add a franchise player from the 2023 draft and will develop a slept-on squad headlined by the wing duo of Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell, two Most Improved Player candidates, in the meantime.
#30: Utah Jazz (15 Seed in West)
Key Players: Collin Sexton, Mike Conley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Lauri Markkanen
Welcome to the Collin Sexton show is something I never thought I would write, but here we are. Sexton is about to go nuclear for a Jazz squad lacking a top option after trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, shushing those clamoring “he’s a sixth man”. They have some other fun players, such as Jarred Vanderbilt, but will be awful in 2023 with the end goal of winning the Wembenyama sweepstakes.
We are now less than a month away from the 2022-23 NBA season, which means it’s once again time for my annual preseason articles. I’m tipping off my preseason triad with my award predictions. Just like last year, I’ll list my top five favorites (and a few honorable mentions) before giving my winner for each major award. Let’s get started!
Sixth Man of the Year
Honorable Mentions: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Bobby Portis Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr., Jordan Clarkson
(With a Jae Crowder trade coming soon, Cam Johnson will probably be starting this year.)
Tyus Jones
The Memphis Grizzlies were 20-5 without Ja Morant last season, and a big reason for that is their backup one, Tyus Jones. While he won’t wow you with flashy dimes, Tyus is an excellent floor general because he rarely turns the ball over. He can always be relied on to make good decisions with the ball and that’s a crucial point guard skill.
Caris LeVert
LeVert struggled some in a lesser role when he joined the Cavaliers at the trade deadline. He is best with the ball in his hands creating for himself and he didn’t consistently get that opportunity with the Cavs. Now that Donovan Mitchell has filled the starting shooting guard slot, LeVert should flourish as a microwave sixth man.
Tyler Herro
The reigning 6MOY, Herro won the title in 2022 while leading his team in shot attempts per game. A bench player rarely gets that big of a role, especially for a contending team, so he had an easy route to the award. If he comes off the pine once again this season, he will be in the running to go back-to-back.
Jordan Poole
A full season of Klay Thompson means 2022 young breakout star Jordan Poole will be moved to the bench. That means Golden State will be throwing Poole parties for opposing seconds units all year long. Poole is a crafty and confident bucket which will make him a serious case for an award that usually goes to the bench player who scores the most.
Malcolm Brogdon
In order to keep the best defense in the league together, Boston has opted to keep Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Robert Williams as their starters. This leaves new addition Malcolm Brogdon in a bench role, making a Celtics team coming off a Finals appearance even scarier. Brogdon is a top sixty player when he manages to stay healthy and should contend for 6MOY if he does just that this year.
After a sensational 2022 playoff run, Brunson has a lot of hype around what he can do in New York. Some even think he’ll make the All-Star game. While that might be a little overboard, Brunson will have a big year if he can pick up where he left off in the postseason.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Moving on from former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic in 2021 gave Orlando a new star big in Wendell Carter. He’s very versatile and skilled for a player of his size as he can score from all three levels, pass, and defend. I can see him reaching near top fifty status this season and being named a MIP finalist.
Markelle Fultz
Wendell’s teammate Markelle Fultz impressed big-time in just 18 games in 2021-22, and in a full season, he’s due to make a big jump. While the former first-overall pick will probably never live up to his pre-draft expectations, he is going to be a good starter for a long time.
Tyrese Haliburton
Landing in Indiana at the deadline last season allowed Haliburton to put his floor generalship and highly efficient scoring on full display. He’ll be given the keys to the offense this year and put himself in All-Star conversations which will make him a favorite for MIP.
Keldon Johnson
For the second season in a row, the Spurs have a legitimate MIP contender. Last year it was Dejounte Murray, and this time it’s Keldon Johnson. Keldon already made big strides in 2021-22, specifically as a shooter, and now with Dejounte gone, he’ll be able to continue to develop as the top dog in San Antonio.
2022-23 MIP: Tyrese Haliburton
Rookie of the Year
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Williams, Tari Eason, Jaden Hardy, Jalen Duren, Johnny Davis, Jeremy Sochan, Ochai Agbaji
(Chet Holmgren will be out for the whole season otherwise he would be in my top five)
Keegan Murray
The Kings were criticized on social media for this pick, but I think it was the right move. Keegan Murray is a less clunky fit next to De’Aaron Fox than Jaden Ivey would be. Murray is pretty similar to his new frontcourt mate Harrison Barnes, a do-it-all forward who can slide into any lineup. Sacramento is looking like they could be sneaky good this season and Murray will be a big part of that.
Jaden Ivey
The aforementioned Ivey is joining Cade Cunningham in Detroit to form a very promising backcourt of the future. He’s an explosive athlete who creates for himself and others and he won’t have too much responsibility early since he’ll be sharing the ball with Cade. The key for Ivey will be knocking down triples when he’s playing off the ball, as being effective as a one and a two will be important for him to fit next to Cade.
Paolo Banchero
The first overall pick is the best player in this class in my opinion. His ability to score from the mid-range and pass at 6’10” is unique and he has number one option written all over him. Orlando has everything in place but that, so if Paolo lives up to the hype he will complete this Magic roster and probably win ROTY.
Jabari Smith Jr.
If Jabari Smith is as advertised, he will be a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat and defensive menace at the four spot from day one. His Summer League performance was worrying for some but usually Summer League isn’t telling of how well a rookie will play in the regular season so I’m not in that boat. I’m expecting a high-level rookie campaign from Jabari.
Bennedict Mathurin
Rivaling Jabari Smith for the best shooter in this class is Bennedict Mathurin. His beautiful, high release allows him to connect on treys over defenders easily and he’s also a fantastic shooter on the move. He’ll be getting a lot of good looks with Tyrese Haliburton running the show which means he’ll have the numbers to be in the Rookie of the Year race.
2022-23 ROTY: Paolo Banchero
Defensive Player of the Year
Honorable Mentions: Marcus Smart, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, Anthony Davis
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Most of the usual suspects will be atop the DPOY race once again in 2022-23, including the best player in basketball. Giannis’s help-side defense remains remarkable and he will continue to dominate on that end.
Jrue Holiday
Giannis’s teammate is the best guard defender in the association. His lateral movement and screen navigation are impeccable and it’s virtually impossible to beat him on a drive. Since Marcus Smart won last year I think it’s very possible another guard could win the award in 2023.
Rudy Gobert
The three-time DPOY has joined a new team where he will have more defensive help than he did in Utah. Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, Kyle Anderson, and Taurean Prince form a solid perimeter unit that will relieve some pressure from Gobert to block everything. If the Wolves are good enough on D as a whole there’s a chance that Gobert ties the all-time record with four DPOYs.
Robert Williams III
The anchor of the best defense in the league, Robert Williams is entering just his fifth season and is already one of the best shot blockers in the association. His reach, timing, and 40” vertical allow him to swat almost anything put up near him. He may be at a disadvantage because he’ll miss time to start the year but an All-Defensive team is definitely in the cards for Rob Will.
Bam Adebayo
After being in the running for the award for the last few seasons, it seems like Bam is due to finally take the crown. It’s rare that a big man is as versatile on D as he is. He’s my pick to win the award in 2023.
2022-23 DPOY: Bam Adebayo
Most Valuable Player
Honorable Mentions: Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson
Trae Young
Trae Young became one of the best offensive players in the NBA last year with his ballsy bucket-getting and phenomenal pick-and-roll play. The Hawks improved their roster this summer by acquiring All-Star guard Dejounte Murray and if they are up there with the best teams in the league then Trae has a shot at winning an MVP.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
My pick for MVP in 2022, Giannis won’t need to earn any hardware this year to prove he’s the best player in the world. However, assuming he doesn’t get abducted by aliens he will still be firmly in the running.
Nikola Jokic
The reigning back-to-back MVP will be at a disadvantage in the MVP race this year because of voter fatigue, but with the Nuggets fully healthy again you can’t count him out. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are returning and Denver at full strength is a legitimate contender. If the boys in Mile High City hit 60+ wins and Jokic is his usual self he might make history.
Joel Embiid
Embiid is coming off two runner-up campaigns and is now poised to finally get over the hump. The 76ers could take the first seed in the stacked East and Embiid will continue to be a dominant force which should be enough for him to finally get the trophy.
Luka Doncic
Luka-ball is one of the most exciting systems in the league today, and it’s worked well so far. They made it to the Conference Finals last year and now have a more talented cast around their young supernova. He’ll make the leap to become a cemented top-five player and be a top-five MVP candidate.
Kevin Durant didn’t get traded, but we got the next best thing.
In somewhat of a shocking event, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz. In exchange for their franchise player, Utah received Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks, and two pick swaps. After months of the Knicks being the team primarily linked to Mitchell, the Cavs being the ones to get it done was not expected.
So what does this deal mean for both sides? I’ll be breaking down my immediate thoughts and handing out grades (which will be subject to change once these guys play for their new teams). Let’s get started!
Cavaliers
After injuries halted Cleveland’s Cinderella run into the playoffs last season, they are now poised to get over the hump with the help of Donovan Mitchell. The star shooting guard has been a winning first option since his rookie campaign, leading the Jazz to the playoffs all five years of his career.
With Mitchell paired next to Darius Garland, the Cavs now boast perhaps the best backcourt in basketball. The offensive firepower is ridiculous. Both create for themselves and others at a high level with the ball in their hands. Both are solid catch-and-shoot threats as well, so they can play off each other.
While the O is looking scary, it’s the D that’s questionable. Both Garland and Mitchell are 6’1” and small backcourts have a history of falling apart due to defense. Personally, I’m a believer this one will work out with no problems. They both hold up better than other tiny tandems, specifically Mitchell who uses his length and athleticism to be a positive defender if engaged. That proved to be an if in the 2022 playoffs, but I think Mitchell will embrace the “junkyard dog” culture and lock in on D.
Even if those two are struggling, they are surrounded by the menacing rim protection of Jarrett Allen, the help-side swatting and switchability of Evan Mobley, and the perimeter lockdown of Isaac Okoro. The Cavs defensive unit as a whole is better than any Jazz lineup.
Overall, the Cavaliers are shaping up to be one of the better squads in the East. They will have to get past true contenders like the Bucks and the Celtics, but even if they can’t make it far in the short term they will be competitive for the next decade. Mitchell, Garland, Allen, and Mobley are all 25 or younger and they’re one of the best top fours in the league. Watch out for Cleveland in the 2022-23 season.
Grade: A
Jazz
With both of their superstars off the roster, the Jazz have cleaned slate and are starting from scratch. They amassed a grand total of eight unprotected first-round picks from both trades (along with two swaps). With more deals likely to come involving Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Jordan Clarkson, Utah is headed towards a full rebuild that will stick them in the lottery for several seasons to come. After failing in the postseason year after year, this is probably the right move.
Outside of that, I’m excited for number one option Collin Sexton. While I don’t think it’s his long-term role, he will have the opportunity to prove to everybody that he’s more than just a microwave sixth man. He’s a 20-point-per-game scorer and has knocked down nearly 38% of his tries from deep for his career, and guys like that don’t grow on trees.
Grade: A
Trades always have winners and the victor of this deal will be decided a while from now. As of today, with Cleveland putting themselves up there with the best teams in the East and Utah pulling the trigger on a necessary overhaul, it’s a win-win.
Kevin Durant has withdrawn his trade request and is staying with Brooklyn for the upcoming season. Now that teams aren’t waiting on KD, they can return to business as usual. Remaining free agents will be picked up and other trades will be made.
Today, I’ve pieced together five deals that could be made before training camp. I’ll be breaking down why each team would pull the trigger and how it would benefit them. Let’s get started!
Trade #1: Raptors find a starting center, Hawks open up room for theirs
Toronto gets: Clint Capela, first-round pick
Atlanta gets: OG Anunoby
Since trading away Jonas Valanciunas in 2019, Toronto has lacked a full-time starter at center. All-Star Pascal Siakam filled that slot during the 2021-22 regular season, but he is a four naturally. Acquiring Capela would fix that issue. He is known for being a very good rim protector and with him anchoring a talented defensive roster the Raptors would be one of the best defenses in the league. OG Anunoby is their best on-ball defender, but Scottie Barnes projects to fill that role with his length and versatility so the blow of losing Anunoby would be softened.
Not only would Atlanta be adding a fantastic young two-way forward in Anunoby, but trading Capela would also open a starting spot for 2020 lottery pick Onyeka Okongwu. As I talked about here, Okongwu is the long-term five for the Hawks. He does every Capela does and more and just needs the opportunity to spread his wings and take off. A lineup of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, OG Anunoby, John Collins, and Onyeka Okongwu would put Atlanta in a position to return to the Conference Finals and potentially go further.
New York gets: Davis Bertans, Josh Green, lottery-protected first-round pick
Dallas gets: Derrick Rose, Cam Reddish
Losing 2022 breakout guard Jalen Brunson hurts for a Dallas team coming off a Conference Finals run where he starred. While Derrick Rose is much older than Brunson, he would help patch the wound. The former MVP was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in 2020-21 (and in 2021-22 before he got hurt), offering reliable play on both ends. Cam Reddish was a top-ten pick in 2019 and still has a lot of untapped potential. In the best-case scenario, he could be a starter next to Luka for the future.
By doing this deal, the Knicks would be able to give a bigger role to Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Miles McBride in the backcourt. The organization wants to compete, but I think they should do so while developing their young core. It was reported that Coach Thibodeau didn’t want Reddish on the roster, so while trading him isn’t ideal, it’s clear he wouldn’t have a big role on the team anyways. This is an addition by subtraction situation for New York.
Trade #3: Lakers end the Westbrook experiment, round out supporting cast
Los Angeles gets: Buddy Hield, Myles Turner, T.J. McConnell
Indiana gets: Russell Westbrook, Austin Reaves, first-round pick
While I am not in the “Westbrook is washed” camp, it seems like he doesn’t have much to offer on the Lakers. Russ is most effective with the ball running the offense, and since LeBron is the top dog in L.A. it makes the two an awkward pairing. By sacrificing a pick they can get some high-quality role players that will help put the team in a better position to win before *gulp* LeBron retires.
Renting Westbrook means the Pacers would have $47+ million coming off the books at the end of the 2022-23 season. They are also getting a solid young role player and a first-rounder in exchange for three guys who aren’t part of their long-term core.
Trade #4: Heat fill their hole at power forward
Miami gets: John Collins, Mo Harkless
Atlanta gets: Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, Omer Yurtseven, first-round pick
Rumors surrounding a John Collins trade have been floating around for a while now, and even though I don’t see why the Hawks would trade him it’s bound to happen at some point. Getting a former All-Star, two rotational players, and a pick is a solid return for the star power forward.
After P.J. Tucker left for Philadelphia, Miami was left with no true four-man outside of Udonis Haslem. Getting Collins would solve that. The Heat have fallen short two seasons in a row after their Finals run in the bubble and a borderline top-sixty player would help them return to the promised land.
Trade #5: Pelicans go all in
New Orleans gets: Mike Conley
Utah gets: Devonte’ Graham, Jaxson Hayes, Kira Lewis Jr.
After the Pelicans made it out of the play-in and pushed the first-seeded Suns to a competitive six games, many fans are excited about what they can do in 2022-23 (myself included). With Zion healthy, C.J. McCollum on the squad for a full season, and the young talent continuing to grow, they’re looking very scary. Adding a consistent veteran point guard who shoots and defends would help solidify their chances of making noise in a crowded Western Conference.
Trading Rudy Gobert kicked off a retooling of sorts for the Jazz (whether they fully commit and trade Donovan Mitchell remains to be seen). Jaxon Hayes and Kira Lewis are both former lottery picks who could blossom with new opportunities on a rebuilding Utah team.
Seven members of my top 25 of the 2022 season are under 25 years old. With all-time greats like LeBron, Steph, and KD aging, the next generation of superstars is coming.
That being said, who has the best collection of youngsters? Today I’m ranking my top seven young cores. I considered players below 25 years of age as a part of a team’s young core.
With an honorable mention to Boston (Jaylen Brown aged out), New York (Coach Thibodeau needs to embrace the youth movement), and Houston, let’s get started!
#7: Orlando Magic
Key Pieces: Paolo Banchero (19), Wendell Carter Jr. (23), Franz Wagner (20), Markelle Fultz (24), Cole Anthony (22), Jonathan Isaac (24), Jalen Suggs (21), Mo Bamba (24), Chuma Okeke (23)
Tipping off my list is the Magic. While they lack a sure-fire franchise guy (Banchero projects to be that but he hasn’t played a game yet), they have perhaps the deepest group of up-and-coming talent in the league. Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner, Markelle Fultz, and Cole Anthony all have star+ upside. Jonathan Isaac was an All-Defensive caliber guy when last healthy. Jalen Suggs struggled in his rookie campaign but still has plenty of time to prove why he was a top-five pick. Odds are at least three of Orlando’s core will end up as top fifty players, and that’s a super solid foundation. Combine that with rotational pieces like Mo Bamba and Chuma Okeke and this squad projects to be near the top of the conference in five years.
#6: Detroit Pistons
Key Pieces: Cade Cunningham (20), Saddiq Bey (23), Jaden Ivey (20), Jalen Duren (18), Isaiah Stewart (21), Killian Hayes (21), Marvin Bagley III (23), Hamidou Diallo (24), Kevin Knox (23)
Four seasons ago, Detroit’s roster featured Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Reggie Jackson. Now under the guidance of Troy Weaver (who was appointed as GM in 2020), they have undergone a quick rebuild that has set them up for the next decade and beyond. 2021 first-overall pick Cade Cunningham will be one of the best guards in the NBA one day with his combination of playmaking and three-level scoring. He and rookie Jaden Ivey form a formidable pairing in the backcourt. Saddiq Bey has 20 PPG written all over him. Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart are a fantastic big man tandem. Those five, along with other past lottery picks such as Marvin Bagley, compose a top seven young core.
#5: Oklahoma City Thunder
Key Pieces: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24), Chet Holmgren (20), Josh Giddey (19), Luguentz Dort (23), Tre Mann (21), Darius Bazley (22), Jalen Williams (21), Ousmane Dieng (19), Aleksej Pokusevski (20), Aaron Wiggins (23), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (21)
The best player mentioned up to this point, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already a top 25 player and he’s entering his fifth season. Surrounding him is a tremendous assortment of exciting youngsters. Josh Giddey is an elite passer after just one campaign in the league and his potential is limitless. Chet Holmgren is a monster in the paint who would win a DPOY one day, and he possesses unusual skill for a seven-footer which makes him a scary good talent. Lu Dort is one of the better wing defenders in the game and will be a starter for a long time. I didn’t even consider draft picks in this ranking- the Thunder will be even better as they continue to add to their plethora of young studs.
#4: Atlanta Hawks
Key Pieces: Trae Young (23), John Collins (24), De’Andre Hunter (24), Onyeka Okongwu (21), AJ Griffin (18), Jalen Johnson (20)
At just 23 years old, Trae Young is one of the best point guards in basketball. He’s a ridiculously talented offensive player- his pairing of electric scoring and playmaking wizardry is lethal. He alone is almost enough to propel Atlanta on this list, but his teammates elevate them into the top five. Young and John Collins are one of the most effective pick-and-roll duos. De’Andre Hunter could be one of the league’s best 3&D forwards in the near future. Onyeka Okongwu is their long-term center. AJ Griffin can shoot the skin off the ball. The Hawks should be making a lot more Conference Finals appearances soon behind Trae Young and company.
#3: Memphis Grizzlies
Key Pieces: Ja Morant (23), Desmond Bane (24), Jaren Jackson Jr. (22), Ziaire Williams (20), Jake LaRavia (20), Xavier Tillman Sr. (23), Santi Aldama (21), David Roddy (21), Kennedy Chandler (19)
Ja Morant is a transcendent talent. His meteoric rise into top-ten conversations accelerated Memphis’s rebuild and they are now one of the better teams in the West. At his side, he has deadly shooter Desmond Bane and defensive beast Jaren Jackson Jr. who both landed just outside my top fifty of the 2022 season. Grind City is also adding a deep rookie class headed by Wake Forest product Jake LaRavia. The future of the Grizzlies is just as exciting as it is watching them.
#2: Cleveland Cavaliers
Key Pieces: Darius Garland (22), Evan Mobley (21), Jarrett Allen (24), Collin Sexton (23), Isaac Okoro (21), Ochai Agbaji (22)
Behind Darius Garland’s big-time breakout, the Cavaliers were the Cinderella story of the 2021-22 season. Garland’s fabulous floor generalship and crafty scoring will put him in top point guard discussions for years to come. Behind him is the menacing twin-tower pairing of first-time All-Star Jarrett Allen and Rookie of the Year finalist Evan Mobley. Collin Sexton’s microwave scoring rounds out a squad that is set to rule the East very soon.
#1: New Orleans Pelicans
Key Pieces: Zion Williamson (22), Brandon Ingram (24), Herb Jones (23), Trey Murphy III (22), Dyson Daniels (19), Jaxson Hayes (22), Jose Alvarado (24), Kira Lewis Jr. (21)
Sitting atop the rankings is the Pelicans. The pairing of two top 25 talents with limitless potential, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, will make New Orleans serious competitors in the West as soon as this upcoming season. Their contending rotation is in development as well, headlined by the inaugural Bench Mob Player of the Year Herb Jones and 2022 lottery pick Dyson Daniels. The boys in the Big Easy boast the best young core in the NBA.
The East is better than ever, and the Atlanta Hawks are shaping up to be one of the top teams in the conference. A disappointing first-round exit in 2022 after their 2021 Conference Finals run raised questions about the team’s ceiling, and they responded by adding All-Star guard Dejounte Murray to pair with offensive phenom Trae Young. The two will make Atlanta a contender for seasons to come.
Every backcourt needs a big man behind them to hold down the fort in the paint (especially when one of your guards is perhaps the worst defender in the league). Clint Capela has done that excellently during his tenure in the A, but the Hawks have a star anchor hiding in plain sight on their bench.
That guy? 2020 sixth-overall pick Onyeka Okongwu.
Okongwu received limited opportunity in his rookie campaign, playing just 12 minutes per game across 50 contests. After missing 28 games to start the 2021-22 season, his playing time increased upon his return and he became Atlanta’s full-time backup center. That’s when he showcased why he’s their big for the future.
The perfect place to start when breaking down Okongwu’s game is a January meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks. He put his entire skill set on display, posting 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal. Most importantly though, he locked up the best player in the world.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shot a woeful 2 for 12 and turned the ball over three times when Okongwu was the closest defender that night. Very few people have forced the Greek Freak to struggle that much.
The standout facet of Okongwu’s game is his paint defense. He’s virtually immovable on the block and rarely falls for fakes.
He has given fits to the likes of Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, and many other stars in his young career.
Not only can he guard up one-on-one, but Okongwu is also a spectacular shot blocker. He sent back 1.3 attempts per game in 2021-22, and his block percentage of 5.4% beats out renowned rim protectors such as his teammate Clint Capela and Jarrett Allen.
Driving on him is a terrible business decision. You will be met with a powerful rejection.
Small guards stand no chance against his size.
Even if you think he’s out of the picture, Okongwu will come out of nowhere to swat your shot to oblivion.
What makes Okongwu a truly special defensive talent though is his ability to switch. When tasked with guarding a smaller player, he moves his feet well to stay in front and turn the mismatch in his favor. That versatility has drawn him many comparisons to Bam Adebayo, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
He does a great job of walling off drives and preventing players from getting easy looks.
On the other side of the ball, Okongwu is a perfect pairing with Trae Young’s pick-and-roll wizardry. He sets strong screens, rolls hard, and catches anything that comes his way.
He put up 1.44 points per possession as the roll man this past season, which puts him in the 94th percentile (via NBA.com).
He is also a sneaky good passer out of the short roll. He plays with his head up to find open shooters on the perimeter. This might look like a basic read, but most centers would go up with it here instead of kicking it out.
Outside of the pick-and-roll, Okongwu has some craft as a finisher. He uses a combination of euro steps, spin moves, and floaters to score.
The Bam Adebayo similarities don’t end on defense. The one-time All-Star also makes a variety of moves in the paint to get most of his buckets.
Something to keep an eye on when it comes to Okongwu’s game is his jumpshot. Before he was drafted, he was pinned as a guy who could have some shooting upside. He has attempted less than 5% of his shots from the mid-range for his career, but his 72.7% free throw success rate from 2021-22 suggests he could expand his range in the near future.
Overall, Okongwu plays the role of a modern center perfectly. He can switch, protect the rim, rebound, and catch lobs. It’s time for the Hawks to move on from Clint Capela because Okongwu should be their starter for the long term.
Even if he’s still coming off the bench, I’m expecting a breakout year from Onyeka Okongwu in 2022-23.
After over two decades, San Antonio’s epic run has finally come to a close. Three consecutive seasons ended in a lottery appearance for the Spurs and marked the end of an era. Trading homegrown All-Star Dejounte Murray is a clear sign that GM Brian Wright is committed to bottoming out.
The Spurs roster is now a leaderless group of youngsters with mixed upsides. Their 2019 first-round pick, Keldon Johnson, got an extension recently and will be a cornerstone for the rebuild. Josh Primo is one of the youngest players in the league and will really show what he can do in a consistent role this season. Jeremy Sochan, Malaki Branham, and Blake Wesley are a talented rookie trio. Armed with all of their first round picks in upcoming drafts, the future is bright for the Silver and Black.
Today I want to talk about another young Spur: Devin Vassell. He was the 11th pick in 2020, and has had two really promising campaigns to start his career. With increased opportunity in year three, I expect him to make a huge leap. Let’s dive into his game and find out why.
Vassell fits the mold of a modern wing to a tee. From the day he donned an NBA jersey he’s been able to knock down the deep ball and play defense.
He connected on a quality 37.9% of his 4.8 catch & shoot tries per game from behind the arc in 2021-22 (via NBA.com). He posted a few big-time performances from downtown, including a 7-13 game against New Orleans in the play-in.
When he’s feeling it, it’s tough to slow Vassell down because he’ll just elevate over you with his beautiful jumper and put it through.
The next step for him as a shooter is to hit more on the move like in the clip above. The best shooters can get open off the ball, whether it’s by relocating to open space or flying off a screen.
On the other end, Vassell excels as a thief. He uses his near seven-foot wingspan to disrupt the passing lanes and pick pockets.
His 76 total steals across 71 contests in 2021-22 was good for second-best in San Antonio behind league leader Dejounte Murray.
He uses his length to his advantage as a shot blocker too, serving up unsuspecting opponents with emphatic swats.
Vassell’s on-ball D is solid as well. He contains players his size on the perimeter and stays strong when bigger wings try to back him up.
He does sometimes struggle to stay in front of quicker guards, and is best suited defending his position.
Another area of growth for Devin is screen navigation. He weighs in around 200 pounds, and his slimness hinders him when he’s trying to weave around a pick.
Overall, Vassell is already a great complementary piece with his two-way ability. The Spurs are in need of more though, as even before the Murray trade they lacked a go-to scorer. Vassell could be that guy.
The reason I believe that is he has the shot every elite bucket-getting wing has in their wheelhouse: the mid-range pull-up.
I could throw together a 15+ minute compilation of Vassell middies. His magnificent sky-high release is perfect for scoring in the in-between.
In an age of analytics and the three-ball, many fail to recognize just how much of a weapon the mid-range is. It makes good scorers great ones, and when the game slows down in the playoffs shot creators are crucial. Vassell could be one of the best in the league in that area which could be the key to him becoming a star.
He reminds me a lot of Khris Middleton from a scoring standpoint. As his three-pointer continues to develop, Devin could grow into a walking 20-piece with his patient and effortless pull-ups.
The skill I’m most interested to watch for Vassell this season is his playmaking. To be a top dog you have to be able to create for others, not just yourself. He hasn’t had the freedom to experiment much so far, but has shown flashes of setting his teammates up. Since his usage will increase in 2022-23, hopefully we see more plays like this:
San Antonio entering the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes means Vassell will have a world of opportunity this season. He’ll be able to spread his wings completely, and I think he is going to take off and fly. Watch out for a breakout campaign from Devin Vassell in 2022-23.
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