Predicting the Top 10 Teams Before the 2022-2023 NBA Season

The NBA season will tip off its 2022-23 season on October 19th. We're currently a month away, which means most of the trades and signings that will happen this off-season have already happened. Donovan Mitchell was just traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Nets and Kevin Durant have reached an agreement, which means there are no more big stars on the trading block. Rosters are set, and it's time to start making predictions. Ranking decisions are made based on the teams 2021 record, expected player improvement, and free agency and trade deals.

1. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are coming off an NBA championship where Steph Curry won his first finals MVP. This off-season, their only losses were Gary Payton II and Otto Porter, but they were able to grab another defensive guard in Donte Divencenzo, and young forwards like Johnathan Kuminga and Moses Moody should be taking big steps up. The Warriors roster is built with a perfect mix of young and veteran talent. They still have their big 3 of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, but they also have high potential young guys like Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and James Wiseman. The Warriors should easily be at the top of the west and are the most likely team to win the 2023 NBA championship.

2. Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics fans were feeling good after the teams appearance in the 2022 NBA finals, but after this off-season, Celtics fans are on top of the world. They kept all the essential pieces of their roster and picked up Malcolm Brogdon to start at the point guard. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still young and should keep on improving this year, along with other young role players like Robert Williams III and Grant Williams. They signed Danilo Gallinari, but he tore his ACL last week in an overseas game. If they can get a backup forward or center to fill in for Gallinari, they have one of the deepest benches in the league, which usually leads to regular season success. Marcus Smart should help this team be one of the league's best defenses, and that should get them to the top of the eastern conference.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have proven for years that they have no trouble winning 50 plus games, and I expect nothing less from them this upcoming season. While they don't have the most star studded team in the league, they do have a Greek Freak, and a team built perfectly around him. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are a well built duo, with an offensive mix of perimeter and inside scoring. They didn't add much this offseason, but Brook Lopez will be coming back from injury and new signing Joe Ingles will provide some perimeter shooting, if he even ends up playing this season. First round draft pick Marjon Beauchamp will play a key role for the team, and their depth will depend on his development. If Giannis can put up his usual 30, 10, and 5, and the role players can play above average, the Milwaukee Bucks should be very good.

4. Los Angeles Clippers

In 2021, the Clippers were the 9th seed despite Paul George and Kawhi Leonard being injured for the majority of the season. Now, they have both of them back, and they added John Wall to start at the point guard. Although he hasn't played in 2 years, Wall should be able to revive some part of his old self, and give the Clippers around 15 points and 7 assists a night. George and Leonard should both have no problem returning to their old selves, and hopefully they'll be able to play the whole year. The Clippers easily have the deepest bench in the league with Norman Powell, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Robert Covington, and more. Which means even if their star players go out, they have guys to fill in. This team is built for regular season success and if their star duo can perform well they'll challenge the Warriors for the first seed in the west.

5. Denver Nuggets

Last year, Nikola Jokic and a bunch of bums were the 6 seed in the western conference with a 48-34 record. This year, Nikola Jokic has Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr back, and new additions like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Christian Braun that will help fix the Nuggets perimeter defense problem. They're coming into the season as an underdog, but I think they'll prove people wrong and be a top seed. The starting lineup is built perfectly, with a mix of shooting, playmaking, and defense. A trade or signing would help out the Nuggets bench, but young guys like Zeke Nnaji and Peyton Watson can fill in and have some time to develop. 2021 first round pick Bones Hyland will be given a much bigger role as the main scoring option off the bench, and all signs point to him thriving in this role. Don't be surprised when he's in the running for 6th man of the year. Nikola Jokic will always make his team a contender, and his team got much better.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers had an incredible off-season, and fixed most of their problems from 2021. In the playoffs, they didn't have a deep enough bench to compete, so they went and picked up De'Anthony Melton and PJ Tucker. They were also able to retain their second star, James Harden, on a 2 year, $68 million dollar deal. Their core of Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and Tobias Harris should have a great regular season, but head coach Doc Rivers will hold them back in the playoffs.

7. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have been in the eastern conference finals for three years in a row, so it's hard to rank them outside the top 5. But overall, the team got worse. They lost PJ Tucker and replaced him with a rookie in Nikola Jovic. The defensive atmosphere, coaching, and Jimmy Butler will still get this team a top seed in the east, despite them getting slightly worse this offseason.

8. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies shocked NBA fans in 2021 by taking the second seed in the western conference. They have a great young core with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, and Ziare Williams, which should show signs of improvement this year. Jackson Jr. will miss the first few months of the season, which will hurt their seeding, but they have strong back up forwards to fill his spot. They made some interesting moves this offseason, including trading backup point guard DeAnthony Melton to the 76ers for an injured Danny Green and a late first round pick. Their 3 rookies aren't instant impact players, so their bench is likely to struggle, especially if they have injuries. However, Ja Morant will be an MVP candidate and the team has something to prove in the playoffs. After a second round exit last year I could see them getting to the western conference finals this season.

9. Dallas Mavericks

Any team with Luka Doncic will be a serious finals contender. The Mavericks made the conference finals last year, even though they didn't have Doncic in the first round. There's only one problem, and his name is Jalen Brunson. Brunson went crazy against the Utah Jazz in the first round and took pressure off Luka by being a secondary ball handler. Brunson's absence will be felt this season as Luka will have to take over the majority of scoring. The replacement for Jalen Brunson was Christian Wood, a center who will fit very well with Doncic. He won't put up the same type of scoring, but he'll be a lob threat and rebounder that can take some pressure of Doncic. While I think this team will regress, a healthy Luka can never be doubted.

10. Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, and since then it's been an absolute shitstorm. They've dealt with multiple underwhelming playoff runs, the James Harden situation, and KD's trade request, and yet I still have them in my top 10 teams. While the chemistry will not be great, they do have 2 superstars, and a solid team built around them. Ben Simmons will be back from injury, and there's rumors he'll be switching to center, a much better position fit for him. They also get Joe Harris back from injury, and they signed TJ Warren. On paper, this is easily a top 5 team in the league, but chemistry issues will hold them back.