As we approach October 23rd and the start of the new NBA season, a lot of focus invariably goes on the contenders, the likes of the Celtics, Thunder, 76ers, and others for whom we expect to see a deep run into the Playoffs become a reality next spring. The question of who can stop Boston is on everyone’s minds, and rightly so, as the Celtics look like a dynasty-in-waiting.
Yet, for some teams, improvement – any improvement – is the aim of the game from late October onwards. Teams that struggled last season will be looking to bounce back in the coming months. Some have been unlucky with injuries, whereas others have potential in youth. Some have just been turgid in recent seasons.
But let’s look at four teams who we believe will see an improvement on last season:
Memphis Grizzlies
Last Season: 27-55
Were the Grizzlies the biggest disappointment of last season? They were hugely unlucky with injuries – historically so – yet there was a sense that more could have been gotten out of a talented roster. Nonetheless, this team is primed to bounce back, looking more like the Grizzlies of the 2022/23 season. Sportsbooks’ NBA odds have them as strong candidates to make the Playoffs, and we think that hitting around 50 wins feels about right for a team that still has a strong core.
San Antonio Spurs
Last Season: 22-60
Things can only get better, right? The Spurs have not had a winning record since the 2018/19 season and have gone 22-60 the past two seasons.
Yet, there are green shoots, and plenty of them. Their top six players in terms of minutes on the court were all under 24: in fact, they finished last season as the youngest team in the NBA. Look, they aren’t going to suddenly turn into Championship contenders, even if they do have one of the most exciting prospects in basketball, Victor Wembanyama. Greg Popovich has asked for a time, and he will likely get it. But this season, things should look a little brighter, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see them come close to doubling their win tally from 2023/24.
Detroit Pistons
Last Season: 14-68
The bottom of the pile last season, the Pistons have averaged just 18.8 wins over the last five campaigns. So, how do things get better? While they are a team in transition, they have added some veteran help (Malik Beasley, Tobias Harris) for the upcoming season. Sportsbooks have set their over/under win totals at 25.5, and they can certainly get close to that. A lot will depend on new head coach John-Blair Bickerstaff.
He had a decent record managing the Cavaliers’ rebuild, and many believe he was unfairly fired. He looks like a good fit for Detroit.
Charlotte Hornets
Last Season: 21-61
Sportsbooks have put over/under at 30.5 for the season, meaning they’ll have to grind out an additional ten wins compared to last season’s campaign. Doable? It feels very doable, especially if this young team stays healthy. Like fellow youngsters, San Antonio Spurs, few are expecting an overnight transition to Playoff contenders, but fans will hope for signs that something is being built in Charlotte. A fully-fit LaMelo Ball could be the difference-maker, putting the Hornets on course to exceed sportsbooks’ expectations and start creating a winning team.
