Eastern Conference:
Cavs - The trio of Mitchell, Garland, and Mobley is really, really good. Jarrett Allen is one of the most underrated bigs in the league, and they also have good depth. This will be a big season for Cleveland.
Knicks - One of, if not the best, top 6 players in the league. They also really upgraded their bench.
Magic - This young core is soooooo good. This team is going to be a lot of fun to watch. I love their depth and their rookies as well.
Pistons - They have some holes, but are super talented. Last year's series against the Knicks is an indicator of just how good they could be this year.
Hawks - They had a great offseason. A Zaccharie Risacher breakout is coming...
76ers - VJ Edgecombe is going to be a stud. This team could finish as high as #2 if they stay healthy.
Pacers - I think they still have too much talent to miss the playoffs. I love Johnny freakin Furphy.
Bucks - Giannis is still one of the best players in the league, and I think getting rid of Dame was addition by subtraction.
Heat - They have a solid lineup, and Kel'el Ware could break out. Wiggins will probably be gone by the deadline.
Celtics - Tatum could return late, but it won't matter in my opinion. They just lost too much depth.
Raptors - This starting lineup could either be really good or average. People sleep on Brandon Ingram. I love this team's depth.
Hornets - If they stay healthy (and that's the biggest if in sports), they could push for the playoffs.
Bulls - Aside from Buzelis and Essengue, everyone on the Bulls roster could be gone by next season.
Wizards - This team will be fun to watch, but won't be good either.
Nets - They have the talent to be decent, but they're tanking all the way this year.
Western Conference:
Thunder - They're not going to regress at all this year. It'll be interesting to see how much Topic plays this season.
Nuggets - Jokic is still the best player in the league.
Rockets - Even with VanVleet out, they still have a really solid lineup. I think getting rid of Green was a smart move.
Spurs - Wemby, Fox, and Castle are a really good trio. I like this team's depth a lot.
Clippers - A healthy Clippers team could contend for a top 3 spot.
T-Wolves - They're not quite good enough to win the West, but nothing's guaranteed with how deep this conference is.
Lakers - LeBron and Luka are enough to win this team a lot of games. Prince James for MVP.
Mavs - They are definitely good enough to contend; they will make moves for a PG at deadline.
Warriors - Steph and Jimmy are going to score, but will anyone else? This team is aging fast.
Suns - This is now officially Booker's team. They will have an electric backcourt but a thin frontcourt.
Grizzlies - Can Coward and Ty Jerome replace Desmond Bane? Ja and JJJ need to step up.
Blazers - Holiday provides leadership, but this team needs Shaedon Sharpe to break out and a lot more.
Kings - DeRozan and LaVine are great veterans, and this roster has talent, but they are not the deepest team out there.
Pelicans - If Zion is really in shape, they could be a play-in team. They have promising rookies, but they will miss Murray in the first half of the season.
Jazz - I can't imagine Markkanen in Utah by season's end. Ace Bailey looks like a future star.
Playoffs: East Play-In:
7 Pacers over #8 Bucks
9 Heat over #10 Celtics
9 Heat over #8 Bucks
First Round:
1 Cavs over #8 Heat in five
4 Pistons over #5 Hawks in seven
3 Magic over #6 76ers in six
2 Knicks over #7 Pacers in five
Second Round:
1 Cavs over #4 Pistons in six
2 Knicks over #3 Magic in seven
ECF:
2 Knicks over #1 Cavs in seven
West Play-In:
7 Lakers over #8 Mavs
9 Warriors over #10 Suns
8 Mavs over #9 Warriors
First Round:
1 Thunder over #8 Mavs in six
4 Spurs over #5 Clippers in seven
3 Rockets over #6 T-Wolves in seven
2 Nuggets over #7 Lakers in six
Second Round:
1 Thunder over #4 Spurs in six
2 Nuggets over #3 Rockets in six
WCF:
2 Nuggets over #1 Thunder in seven
NBA Finals:
2 Nuggets over #2 Knicks in six
Awards: MVP: Nikola Jokic. He's the best player on the planet without a doubt in my mind.
Most Improved: Bennedict Mathurin. He'll have a heavier workload with Haliburton out and could be a potential All-Star.
DPOY: Wemby. If he stays healthy, he'll dominate this award for years to come.
6MOTY: Josh Hart. This was a tough decision, but he's the prototypical guy for this award.
ROTY: Cooper Flagg. As much as I like Tre Johnson, Harper and Demin, this one's no contest.
Coach of the Year: Quin Snyder. This is the most talented roster he's had in the ATL, and a breakthrough season is on the horizon.