Post by Hawks GM (Connor) on Oct 14, 2022 13:41:01 GMT -5
Southwest Division
While the top of the division race may not be interesting, the bottom four teams will all be fighting for playoff spots after each missed the postseason last year. With a healthy Jamal Murray, Houston should be in the best position to get back to the playoffs, while the Pelicans & Spurs both look like longshots at this point. Dallas is an interesting case with Durant being the only player on the roster with 5+ years experience. Even if it doesn't happen for them in 2023, Dallas will be okay long term.
(1) Memphis Grizzlies ( Grizzlies GM (Zach) )
(2) Houston Rockets ( Rockets GM (Luke) )
(3) Dallas Mavericks ( Mavericks GM (Ben) )
(4) New Orleans Pelicans ( Pelicans GM (Bailey) )
(5) San Antonio Spurs ( @bbw5 )
Northwest Division
With a very top heavy conference, this year should be the 6th consecutive season with a postseason appearance for Minnesota. And with very few changes to the roster, Oklahoma City also feels like a pretty safe postseason bet. Utah, Portland, & Denver were all in the playoff race last year, but none of them made big enough moves this offseason to solidify them as playoff locks. Portland & Denver have decent odds to get into the play-in, while Utah doesn't look deep enough to make that push.
(1) Minnesota Timberwolves ( Timberwolves GM (Billy) )
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder ( Thunder GM (Eric) )
(3) Denver Nuggets ( @pansc2 )
(4) Portland Trail Blazers ( @kdhazey )
(5) Utah Jazz ( Jazz GM (Griff) )
Pacific Division
The Kings & Suns round out the Western Conference teams that look like absolute postseason locks. The Warriors are in the same tier as much of the conference is, and will need contributions from the bottom of their roster to be more than a first round exit. The rankings for the LA teams are a bit misleading, as the Clippers are the only team with a real chance to challenge the Knicks for the worst record. The Lakers seem to have a stronger roster than their ranking suggests, though.
(1) Sacramento Kings ( Kings GM (Griffin) )
(2) Phoenix Suns ( Suns GM (Ryan) )
(3) Golden State Warriors ( @phil25 )
(4) Los Angeles Lakers ( Lakers GM (Kevin) )
(5) Los Angeles Clippers ( Clippers GM (Denver) )
While the top of the division race may not be interesting, the bottom four teams will all be fighting for playoff spots after each missed the postseason last year. With a healthy Jamal Murray, Houston should be in the best position to get back to the playoffs, while the Pelicans & Spurs both look like longshots at this point. Dallas is an interesting case with Durant being the only player on the roster with 5+ years experience. Even if it doesn't happen for them in 2023, Dallas will be okay long term.
(1) Memphis Grizzlies ( Grizzlies GM (Zach) )
- #1 Overall, #1 in West
- 2022 Projection: Playoff Lock, Title Contender
(2) Houston Rockets ( Rockets GM (Luke) )
- #15 Overall, #5 in West
- 2022 Projection: Playoff Lock (Top 10)
(3) Dallas Mavericks ( Mavericks GM (Ben) )
- #23 Overall, #10 in West
- 2022 Projection: Play-In Contender (1 appearance in 5 seasons, 2021)
(4) New Orleans Pelicans ( Pelicans GM (Bailey) )
- #25 Overall, #12 in West
- 2022 Projection: Miss Playoffs (3 appearances in last 4 seasons, missed 2022)
(5) San Antonio Spurs ( @bbw5 )
- #26 Overall, #13 in West
- 2022 Projection: Miss Playoffs (last postseason appearance 2020)
Northwest Division
With a very top heavy conference, this year should be the 6th consecutive season with a postseason appearance for Minnesota. And with very few changes to the roster, Oklahoma City also feels like a pretty safe postseason bet. Utah, Portland, & Denver were all in the playoff race last year, but none of them made big enough moves this offseason to solidify them as playoff locks. Portland & Denver have decent odds to get into the play-in, while Utah doesn't look deep enough to make that push.
(1) Minnesota Timberwolves ( Timberwolves GM (Billy) )
- #8 Overall, #4 in West
- 2022 Projection: Playoff Lock, WCF Contender
(2) Oklahoma City Thunder ( Thunder GM (Eric) )
- #17 Overall, #6 in West
- 2022 Projection: Playoff Lock (Top 10)
(3) Denver Nuggets ( @pansc2 )
- #19 Overall, #7 in West
- 2022 Projection: Play-In Contender (never made postseason with lower than top 2 seed)
(4) Portland Trail Blazers ( @kdhazey )
- #21 Overall, #9 in West
- 2022 Projection: Play-In Contender (looking for 4th appearance in 5 seasons)
(5) Utah Jazz ( Jazz GM (Griff) )
- #24 Overall, #11 in West
- 2022 Projection: Miss Playoffs (only postseason appearance in 2022)
Pacific Division
The Kings & Suns round out the Western Conference teams that look like absolute postseason locks. The Warriors are in the same tier as much of the conference is, and will need contributions from the bottom of their roster to be more than a first round exit. The rankings for the LA teams are a bit misleading, as the Clippers are the only team with a real chance to challenge the Knicks for the worst record. The Lakers seem to have a stronger roster than their ranking suggests, though.
(1) Sacramento Kings ( Kings GM (Griffin) )
- #3 Overall, #2 in West
- 2022 Projection: Playoff Lock, Title Contender
(2) Phoenix Suns ( Suns GM (Ryan) )
- #6 Overall, #3 in West
- 2022 Projection: Playoff Lock, WCF Contender
(3) Golden State Warriors ( @phil25 )
- #20 Overall, #8 in West
- 2022 Projection: Play-In Contender (#1 seed two seasons ago)
(4) Los Angeles Lakers ( Lakers GM (Kevin) )
- #28 Overall, #14 in West
- 2022 Projection: Miss Playoffs (only postseason appearance in 2020)
(5) Los Angeles Clippers ( Clippers GM (Denver) )
- #29 Overall, #15 in West
- 2022 Projection: Miss Playoffs (haven't missed postseason since 2020)