Southeast Division Predictions

Atlanta Hawks:

For a team that looked dry last year after making it to the conference finals two seasons ago change was needed to be made. Trae Young could only lead his team so far, but now he has found his “Shake n Bake” partner. Dejounte Murray joining this squad will definitely help the Hawks in the one place they hurt last season - Defense. Yet, Dejounte doesn’t solve everything. The problem still lies that Trae cannot guard anything and tends to get exploited on that end, even when being hidden in the corner. It helps that they traded away Kevin Heurter which will aid their efforts to stop the other team from scoring. On the other side of the ball it may be awkward having two ball dominant point guards, but offense has never been a problem since Trae joined Atlanta so I expect they’ll figure it out eventually. I do wonder what the plan is with John Collins, especially after mentioning him in trade talks ever since the deadline last season. Hard to just trade him away for future picks when you’re trying to maximize the Trae-Dejounte window. I’d like to see the Hawks move Onyeka Okongwu into the starting lineup over Clint Capela, but that may not happen unless he gets traded. Bogdon Bogdanovic will not be returning to play until the second or third week. Although he is a streaky shooter, I expect him to have a good year coming off the bench and no longer competing with Huerter for that 3-point shooter role. I like this team's depth, it’ll be cool to see what the two Duke rookies can do and also the Holiday brothers. All in all, I see this team narrowly making the play-in tournament, coming in at #7 in the East.

The big question: is this the season we all find out if De’Andre Hunter was worth the 4th overall pick? 

Charlotte Hornets:

Oh how I feel so badly for Lamelo Ball. Will his Rookie of the Year award be it for him? His one and only peak? Maybe I’m being too dramatic but this Hornets team just feels painful to watch now. After losing Lamelo’s best young running mate, for nothing in return, leaves this franchise in a sticky spot. I don’t exactly know what contributing players you can get in exchange for Gordon Hayward or Terry Rozier but they have to try something. Is this where I should talk about the potential comeback of Dennis Smith Jr.? James Bouknight was just arrested. I had thought the only thing saving Charlotte from Lamelo requesting a trade is the fact they signed his brother Liangelo Ball, but now that he’s gone, Yikes. Lamelo has one year on his rookie deal after this season, with the ability to sign an extension this coming off-season. Even though no lottery pick has declined their first extension post rookie deal, if the Hornets don’t make any moves to build around Lamelo, I wouldn’t just assume he’s resigning (Sorry MJ). I guess the hope is that Mark WIlliams ends up being a beast and the perfect lob threat for Lamelo?

 If I can see the future for this team, it is screaming the lottery and becoming one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference at the 14th seed.

The big question: is Lamelo content with getting a max contract with nothing to play for? 

Miami Heat:

“Them goons from Dade county,” as Kendrick Perkins coined, are coming into this year after a pretty silent off-season. The only addition was Nikola Jovic in the draft and the only subtraction was P.J. Tucker in free agency. Knowing the Heat they probably have two or three gems still on their G-League team ready to stun the NBA alike to the paths Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and Omer Yurtseven took last season. Miami Heat are hoping for a comeback season from Duncan Robinson who was played out of the lineup after his disappointing play juxtaposed to his substantial pay. Victor Oladipo has been quoted stating that he thinks he’s a starter in this league and honestly I’m all for it with this squad. Give him the chance to succeed and hopefully he can return to the heights he showcased in Indiana and Oklahoma. I’m glad there was no Kevin Durant trade for this team as there’s no reason to move away from the Bam Adebayo & Jimmy Butler duo. I’m not certain what the answers for this team are. Can they bring back Dwyane Wade? Maybe play Udonis Haslem? I do know one thing and that is I’m Jimmy Buckets changed his hairstyle right after media day. All kidding aside, this team somehow ends up winning many games, in part due to Heat Culture, but a lot because of Coach Erik Spoelstra. I expect this team to escape the play-in tournament and make the playoffs as the 6th seed.

The big question: can Kyle Lowry turn back the hands of time or will he continue his unfavorable play from last season?

Orlando Magic:

Orlando did the one thing they had to in the draft this summer and that is to draft the best player available. Paolo Banchero looks like an absolute stud through summer league and now into training camp. It’s always hard for a young player to lead a team but thankfully for Paolo he is not alone in this fight. Franz Wagner has looked electric this past FIBA tournament, and has even got the check mark from some retired German player named Dirk Nowitzski. Two 6’10” guys capable of passing, shooting and ball handling will be an elite duo to build off of. Around them are still the young guards: Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, and Markelle Fultz. I like the big-man duo of Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba as well. This squad still has some veterans around the young core in Gary Harris and Terrence Ross. This roster up and down is filled with guards, wings and bigs all of whom are young and have much potential. There are question marks regarding Jonathan Isaac still, who did not play the past two seasons and reportedly isn’t ready to start this season either. On the second of his four year, 70M deal Magic fans can hope to get him back on the court sometime soon because adding him to this lineup would put quality two man depth at every position (in terms of a rebuilding franchise). I do feel badly for Markelle Fultz who has suffered another injury, this kid doesn’t deserve the deck of cards he’s been dealt on the court. This will for sure be a team to watch on League Pass, but their sights are set for the lottery once again, coming in as the 12 seed.

The big question: is it Bol Bol season? Throw him next to Wendell & Paolo and let’s watch the league burn.

Washington Wizards:

I’m starting to think that when Bradley Beal’s contract is finished and he’s still on the Washington Wizards then it is time to give that man a statue. I know about John Wall, Agent 0, Antawn Jamison, Wes Unseld etc. but I don’t care, just build that man a statue. Realistically after this contract he could pay for the statue, maybe statues, all by himself. I’m happy Brad got his bag, I am, I just don’t understand his chatter about it’s time for him to win. My favorite player on this team has got to be Kyle Kuzma. Watching him be a monster on the glass and get gritty buckets last year while revitalizing his career was music to my ears. Being tossed aside by the Lakers to a struggling team and being able to grow into a more complete player was the best end to a bad beginning. This team does have an interesting depth of big men on this roster, which isn’t a bad thing by any means but you can’t have 4 big men starting in two positions. This perfectly leads into the big question of can Kristaps Porzingus stay healthy an entire season while contributing on a max-player level? Although he was unable to play Robin to Luka’s Batman (so far no one has been able to), that doesn’t mean he cannot do the same with Bradley. I am a fan of Deni Avdija, I think he has a lot of potential and this will be the year he shows it. I’m not sure what this team realistically believes it can accomplish but you have to appreciate the additions of Monte Morris and Will Barton. They did draft Johnny Davis, who played quite well at Wisconsin, but has looked morbidly awful so far in pre-season. Yes, “it’s only pre-season,” but for rookies it helps to get the ball rolling sooner than later.. I believe this team will fight for playoff contention, well will fight for the play-in tournament but I see them falling short and landing at the 11 seed.

The big question: if Johnny Davis ends up being a miss, looking back at this team's draft history, when is it time to talk about the man in charge and his job security?