Who will assist out Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee? Is Deandre Ayton the Los Angeles Lakers’ lacking piece? Can the Memphis Grizzlies rely on Ja Morant to return to kind?
The Athletic requested its NBA workers for one burning query going through every crew as preseason kicks into excessive gear, and people have been just some of the engaging storylines we heard about in response. Right here’s what else we have now our eyes on.
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
Will anybody step up within the frontcourt?
The Celtics frontcourt misplaced two former All-Stars in Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, plus one of many NBA’s finest backup huge males in Luke Kornet. And essentially the most established participant they acquired was Chris Boucher, a 32-year-old with 23 profession begins on his résumé. Neemias Queta, the possible starter, operated as Boston’s fourth-string middle final season. Luka Garza, who figures to be a major rotation piece, performed 219 complete minutes final season in Minnesota. The Celtics want at the least one among their facilities to step up in a giant approach. — Jay King
Brooklyn Nets
The place will they decide within the draft?
The Nets are within the second 12 months of their rebuild. The primary one was difficult. In some methods, they have been too good early on and out-tanked by the Philadelphia 76ers down the stretch. They landed the No. 8 decide within the draft, which is good however not excessive sufficient. Will they be capable to triangulate their draft place just a little higher this season to allow them to get a super-high draft decide who may have elite expertise within the top-three picks? We’ll see in mid-Might. — Mike Vorkunov
New York Knicks
Who will begin?
There are a number of issues to watch because it pertains to the Knicks this offseason, however none are extra juicy than who will begin. The Jalen Brunson-Mikal Bridges-OG Anunoby-Josh Hart-Karl-Anthony Cities beginning lineup of final season performed considerably extra minutes than another five-man group within the NBA. General on the season, the 5 had a (barely) optimistic web score, however it was damaging from Jan. 1 till the tip of the common season. That group was even worse within the playoffs. Former head coach Tom Thibodeau switched it within the Japanese Convention finals, changing Hart with Mitchell Robinson. That group nonetheless wasn’t excellent, however it was higher. The ultimate beginning spot will seemingly come right down to Hart and Robinson. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see which path new head coach Mike Brown goes, or if he throws a monkey wrench and begins another person. — James L. Edwards III
Philadelphia 76ers
How wholesome will they be?
No one is aware of, which is a motive why the Sixers are so powerful to get a learn on and perhaps one of many greatest wild playing cards within the Japanese Convention. If Joel Embiid and Paul George play an honest quantity of video games, say 50 to 55, then the Sixers are proficient sufficient to theoretically compete on the high of the convention. If Embiid performs 19 video games as he did final season, and George performs 41 video games as he did final season, the Sixers could be one of many worst groups within the league, much like final season. It’s a proficient roster, however it’s such a unstable roster by way of well being. In a giant approach, that makes Philadelphia a captivating watch. — Tony Jones
Toronto Raptors
Do Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes make sense collectively?
This query might be prolonged to the entire presumptive beginning lineup, because the group, with Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, didn’t play a minute collectively final 12 months because of Ingram’s season-ending ankle harm. It principally comes right down to the Raptors’ two highest-paid gamers, although. In concept, Ingram offers a number of the shot making that Barnes lacks, and the fifth-year Raptor’s passing and screen-setting increase Ingram. Nonetheless, they’re equally sized gamers who usually perform from the identical spots on the ground. We’ll have to see proof of idea sooner fairly than later. — Eric Koreen
Central Division
Chicago Bulls
Who will emerge from the youth motion?
As Artūras Karnišovas’ Bulls purpose to run sooner, the roster appears understandably youthful. Whereas he appears to competitively construct, he asks for continued persistence. One of the best ways to purchase that from Bulls followers? Property rising from the roster. Matas Buzelis’ rise may do wonders for Chicago’s construct. If Coby White takes one other leap, it may present some readability for his future with the Bulls. If Josh Giddey whittles down his limitations, he may take away doubts in regards to the phrases of his deal. Will Chicago see another person flip right into a official asset on the wing? Can Isaac Okoro appear like an apparent starter? Can Patrick Williams be more and more bodily, mentally ready and infrequently wholesome? Will Ayo Dosunmu state his case? If any/a number of of those questions are answered, it may make the Bulls’ future optimistic. — Joel Lorenzi
Cleveland Cavaliers
What does all of it imply?
There are smaller, extra particular questions, like how lengthy will Darius Garland (and Max Strus) be out? Will Lonzo Ball maintain up and does Evan Mobley take one other step? However the Cavs do certainly have an existential query in entrance of them. They’ve been probably the greatest regular-season groups within the NBA over the past three seasons, and every marketing campaign was adopted by pretty substantial playoff flops. Assuming the expertise assembled on the shores of Lake Erie is sufficient to survive the 2 accidents talked about above, and the Cavs are certainly a robust crew this season, the query earlier than them is, how can they make their success over six chilly months translate into one thing significant when the temperature rises within the playoffs? — Joe Vardon
Detroit Pistons
How will they deal with profitable expectations?
The Pistons gained’t be taking anybody unexpectedly this 12 months. This would be the first season since drafting Cade Cunningham that Detroit is predicted to not solely attain the postseason however be aggressive as soon as it will get there. Cunningham is an All-NBA expertise who’s able to competing with the league’s elites. Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren continued to enhance as final season progressed, and Jaden Ivey was having a profession 12 months earlier than fracturing his fibula. How the Pistons deal with profitable expectations will finally boil right down to how nicely the younger core meshes and the way J.B. Bickerstaff builds on the ideas he launched throughout his first season on the helm. — Hunter Patterson
Cade Cunningham and Detroit enter the season with greater expectations, each internally and externally, than in recent times. (Brad Penner / Imagn Photos)
Indiana Pacers
Can Andrew Nembhard rise to the event?
The Pacers imagine Nembhard getting a chance to be their major ballhandler will enable him to showcase his abilities, they usually assume we’ll see offensive progress from him this season. Throughout final season’s playoffs, Nembhard’s defensive talents have been on show towards high-level scorers, so it’s protected to imagine he’ll proceed to carry that whereas taking up extra tasks. Whereas Haliburton’s capacity to create tempo might be missed, Indiana doesn’t plan to make any modifications to its id or type of play. — Shakeia Taylor
Milwaukee Bucks
Who’s going to assist Giannis?
As the one participant to complete within the high 4 of NBA MVP voting in every of the final seven seasons, Antetokounmpo is arguably the league’s most constant famous person. He’s the one participant in NBA historical past to common at the least 30 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists per recreation whereas capturing at the least 60 % from the sphere, and he’s performed it every of the final two seasons. This season, the Bucks plan on letting Antetokounmpo play “level ahead,” and that can give him an opportunity to place up much more ridiculous particular person numbers. However he’ll want some assist if the Bucks wish to end within the high 4 within the East. — Eric Nehm
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks
Is Zaccharie Risacher a playoff-level starter?
It was one factor to let the highest decide within the 2024 draft begin all season and take his lumps as a meh Hawks crew tried to seek out its approach. It’s fairly one other to have him penciled in because the beginning small ahead in 12 months 2 — with no reliable different — for a crew with top-four seed expectations. Risacher was good for a 19-year-old — a 12.2 PER on 55.8 % true capturing — however the manufacturing was extra fringe rotation than starting-caliber. The bar in Atlanta is far greater this season. — John Hollinger
Charlotte Hornets
How good is Tidjane Salaün?
Salaün was the No. 6 decide within the 2024 draft however had a sluggish rookie season — 5.9 factors and 20.7 minutes per recreation. He’s one of many clear constructing blocks for the Hornets, and they should see him make progress so their rebuild can transfer ahead. They nonetheless desperately want expertise, and Salaün is likely one of the lottery tickets they’re ready on. If he improves, the Hornets can go ahead with a frontcourt gap stuffed. If he stagnates, the Hornets could have extra uncertainty. He was all the time alleged to be a long-term funding, however certainly Charlotte is hoping to see indicators of progress in 12 months 2. — Mike Vorkunov
Miami Warmth
Can Nikola Jović turn into a constant possibility?
The 22-year-old capped his third season with a wrist harm, however he confirmed nice flashes earlier than ending with profession highs in scoring common, minutes per recreation, assists and touches. His spectacular EuroBasket run (with sturdiness) mustn’t solely assist Miami face up to Tyler Herro’s early absence but additionally give the Warmth’s frontcourt with Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware an added aspect of versatility. Standing 6-foot-10, Jović’s mixture of capturing, driving capacity, passing and transition exercise makes him one among Miami’s most vital items. From Jan. 4 to Feb. 7, he shot 40.3 general from deep and 48.8 % on nook 3s. — James Jackson
Orlando Magic
Do the Magic have sufficient 3-point capturing?
The additions of Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones will enhance the Magic’s 3-point capturing. However even when Bane and Jones are on the court docket concurrently, will Orlando have sufficient high-level 3-point shooters to have the ability to play four-out and area the ground totally? And what about lineups during which Bane and Jones play individually? The Magic made solely 31.8 % of their 3s final common season, a determine so low that the additions of two gamers — even gamers as expert as Bane and Jones — could not increase Orlando to league-average 3-point capturing. The franchise will want inside capturing growth from gamers comparable to Franz Wagner, Anthony Black and others for the offense to make the required bounce for the Magic to make a deep playoff run. — Josh Robbins
Washington Wizards
Will any of their children turn into elite gamers?
The Wizards have an intriguing combine of kids, particularly by way of sheer quantity, with rookie first-round picks Tre Johnson and Will Riley becoming a member of a nucleus that additionally contains Bilal Coulibaly, Alexandre Sarr, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, AJ Johnson, Cam Whitmore and others. Washington’s entrance workplace has solid a large web within the hope that a number of the prospects will emerge as upper-level gamers. Nobody expects such transformations to happen in a single day; in any case, lots of the children have all the time been thought-about long-term tasks. But it surely’s truthful to query how excessive a number of the prospects’ ceilings are. Coulibaly, 21, must take a step on offense in 12 months 3 of his NBA profession. He’s removed from the one Wizards participant who wants to enhance within the 12 months forward. — Josh Robbins
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Can Denver’s depth carry it (one other) title?
On paper, it appears just like the Nuggets — and their new entrance workplace headed by Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer — lastly gave Nikola Jokić a top quality supporting solid once more. Cam Johnson is an improve over Michael Porter Jr. Jonas Valančiūnas is essentially the most achieved backup huge man of the Jokić period. Bruce Brown was a useful member of the 2023 title crew. Tim Hardaway Jr. can rating in bunches. If co-stars Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon could be at their finest — Christian Braun, too — one other title might be within the playing cards. — Sam Amick
Minnesota Timberwolves
How will they deal with the purpose guard scenario?
There’s an open query as to how coach Chris Finch goes to maximise creation and ball motion from the purpose guard spot. He may persist with Mike Conley, the crew’s smartest participant who turns 38 quickly, within the beginning lineup and see how he holds up. He may put Donte DiVincenzo in that spot subsequent to Anthony Edwards. It appears unlikely that Rob Dillingham will begin straight away whereas he works to grasp the professional recreation and compensate for his measurement deficiency on protection. Or Finch may pivot to present Edwards the ball much more in hopes of serving to him take the ultimate steps into the league’s elite. Julius Randle might help with playmaking on offense as nicely. Finch has choices, but when he can’t discover a dependable method, Tim Connelly will seemingly must hit the commerce market to seek out one. — Jon Krawczynski
Will we see Anthony Edwards with the ball in his fingers extra usually this season? (Stephen Maturen / Getty Photos)
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Can they win 73-plus video games?
After turning into the youngest champs in league historical past, what query burns brighter than this one? The Thunder gained 68 video games throughout an imperfect 2024-25. Younger star Chet Holmgren missed 50 video games. The group’s different middle, Isaiah Hartenstein, was harm at occasions too. What if the Thunder have a more healthy season? What if the 23-year-old Holmgren makes a leap, a attainable (if not going) situation? What if 24-year-old All-NBA wing Jalen Williams continues to enhance? How in regards to the different pre-prime performers, like Cason Wallace? Do the Thunder win as many video games as any crew ever? — Fred Katz
Portland Path Blazers
Who’s the backup level guard?
Whereas Scoot Henderson recovers from a major hamstring harm, seemingly sidelining him for months, who will Portland use to again up 35-year-old Jrue Vacation? Proper now, the candidates are Blake Wesley and two-way rookie Caleb Love, which doesn’t precisely scream stability. Basic supervisor Joe Cronin stated he isn’t “overly involved” with the dilemma, pointing to the ballhandling of established gamers like Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe, however proper now, these 18 minutes or so per recreation that Vacation rests appear precarious at finest. — Jason Fast
Utah Jazz
Did they discover their younger star?
Utah has been on this rebuilding mode for a few years now, however none of its younger draftees have regarded the a part of an absolute cornerstone, franchise man. With Ace Bailey going No. 5 to them within the draft, he is perhaps the man the Jazz are on the lookout for. How does this crew develop him and check out that potential? And do they assume that ought to have an effect on how they deal with Lauri Markkanen on their roster? — Zach Harper
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
How will Jonathan Kuminga slot in?
Kuminga has to show to Steve Kerr and the teaching workers that he could be a constant piece off the bench. He additionally has to show to the remainder of the league that he’s able to take the subsequent step in his recreation, one that will enable for the massive contract he’s been looking for. The veteran coach couldn’t have been a lot clearer with what he’s on the lookout for from the 22-year-old. He stated after Wednesday’s follow that he needs him to defend, rebound and run the ground. Irrespective of the place Kuminga could land subsequent, he could be smart to observe the basketball instructions. — Nick Friedell
LA Clippers
Who’s the fifth starter?
James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac and Bradley Beal appear to be locks. John Collins is an athletic huge with talent, however do the Clippers want 5 starters who all common greater than 16 factors per recreation taking part in nearly all of their minutes collectively? Or will the Clippers be higher off trusting that they are going to have sufficient scoring with Harden and Leonard taking part in collectively, whereas balancing the offense with the form of point-of-attack protection that helped LA win 50 video games final season? Derrick Jones Jr. ought to be a candidate to start out, which might enable the Clippers to start video games with an entire defensive mindset. — Regulation Murray
Los Angeles Lakers
Will Deandre Ayton make all of the distinction?
The Lakers, greater than anything, wanted a beginning middle, and in Ayton, they obtained a proficient one. However he’s obtained to show he can affect profitable on the highest stage once more. — Dan Woike
Phoenix Suns
Can Mark Williams keep wholesome?
The Suns ought to have a strong backcourt in Devin Booker and Jalen Inexperienced. They’ll have a defensive pest in Dillon Brooks. However the important thing to their success — which we’ll outline as making the Play-In Match — is Williams. Over three seasons in Charlotte, the 7-foot middle was productive when wholesome. (Final season, Williams averaged 15.3 factors and 10.2 rebounds in 44 video games.) The issue is, that wasn’t usually. Since getting into the league in 2022, Williams has performed in solely 43 % of video games. Head coach Jordan Ott says Phoenix has an “intentional plan” for Williams, one designed to maximise his availability. If it really works, the Suns might be higher than anticipated. — Doug Haller
Sacramento Kings
Can Doug Christie make his mark?
The Kings’ determination to present Christie the job in late April was controversial, because the first-timer changed an achieved coach in Mike Brown and entered at a time of nice discomfort after the De’Aaron Fox saga. Now Christie, who was elevated from his assistant position on an interim foundation after Brown’s firing in December, should discover a technique to train his previous canines new methods. The roster is loaded with score-first veterans comparable to Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, but Christie is preaching improved protection. If newcomer Dennis Schröder can play like he did in EuroBasket, all whereas convincing his proficient teammates to play with some synergy, that will assist an incredible deal. — Sam Amick
Doug Christie is getting into his first full season as head coach in Sacramento. (Darren Yamashita / Imagn Photos)
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks
Can they rating sufficient?
Sure, this is likely one of the main questions surrounding a crew that started final season with a Luka Dončić-Kyrie Irving backcourt. In a five-week span, Dončić was traded, and Irving blew out his knee. (The Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell this summer season to be a stopgap resolution.) Dallas doesn’t have a ton of ballhandling, and its 3-point capturing numbers within the 9 video games Anthony Davis performed final season weren’t fairly. Davis’ choice is to play energy ahead, however it’s truthful to wonder if the Mavericks ask him to play middle greater than he wish to make it simpler on everybody within the half court docket.
Houston Rockets
How will they deal with the outlet at level guard?
The information about Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL wasn’t simply devastating for Houston as a result of he performed a pivotal position as a veteran level guard. It hurts much more as a result of this crew doesn’t have a variety of nice choices behind him and even fewer avenues so as to add another person who can take in these minutes. Now, a crew with championship expectations might be trying to 22-year-old Amen Thompson and 21-year-old Reed Sheppard to be ballhandlers who can set up the offense and knock down well timed pictures. Thompson and Sheppard are very proficient gamers, which is why they each have been chosen within the high 5 of their respective drafts, however will they be able to step in and take the scrutiny that comes with the added duty that’s been positioned upon them? — William Guillory
Memphis Grizzlies
Can they rely on Ja Morant?
The Grizzlies enter the season with a number of questions, however each one among them is secondary to the team-defining one among whether or not Memphis is constructing round the appropriate man. The Grizzlies are nonetheless deep and younger, however Morant’s lack of sturdiness, tepid protection and off-court points have raised questions. Between accidents and suspensions, he’s performed solely 120 video games over the previous three seasons, whereas his stage of play tailed off sharply from his electrical 2021-22 marketing campaign. Can Morant regain his All-Star kind, or do the Grizzlies have to make some laborious choices? — John Hollinger
New Orleans Pelicans
Can they keep wholesome?
It’s all the time the identical query with the Pelicans. New Orleans isn’t as deep because it’s been up to now, and longtime dependable items like Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are now not within the constructing. Nonetheless, with Zion Williamson on the forefront and Trey Murphy III getting into an even bigger position, the Pelicans have sufficient expertise to be aggressive on a night-to-night foundation. On the very least, they need to be adequate to forestall their draft-day commerce to amass Derik Queen from trying like a catastrophe. But when Williamson or any of the opposite foremost characters miss vital time, that equation modifications. — William Guillory
San Antonio Spurs
How will Victor Wembanyama’s return from a blood clot have an effect on him?
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stated final week that the crew is in-built Wembanyama’s picture. He’s the franchise, even when the Spurs have assembled a promising solid round him, led by former All-Star De’Aaron Fox. However how does the DVT analysis that sidelined Wembanyama final season have an effect on his load administration all year long? What occurs if there are considerations that it may return? There may be a lot unknown about this example past him being able to go. The hope is that his profession blossoms and he turns into probably the greatest gamers we’ve seen. — Jared Weiss
(Prime photograph of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant: Wes Hale / Getty Photos)
