2019–2020 NBA Season Predictions
The 2019–20 NBA season tips off tonight! After all the hype, anticipation and player movement that took place this off-season, this season is looking like it will be a full-blown battle between several elite teams. There is no clear-cut favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this June, which only adds to the excitement.
That being said, here are my predictions for the season, including standings, a champion, and award predictions.
Western Conference
- Houston Rockets
Despite all the question marks, I believe Houston emerges as the top seed in the Western Conference. Russell Westbrook will thrive more in Houston than he did in Oklahoma City and is an upgrade over CP3, and James Harden will continue to set the league on fire with his blistering scoring numbers. Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela all fit the Rockets system perfectly. Mike D’Antoni has a history of adjusting his offenses well to the personnel he is given, and that should prove to be the case again this year.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers emerged as the winners of the craziest off-season in NBA history. Even if Paul George and Kawhi Leonard miss some games here and there, this team is still too talented and well-coached by Doc Rivers to fall from home-court advantage territory. This is a Clippers team that has no glaring weakness, two of the best two-way forwards in the league and an assortment of role players who all bring unique skillsets to the table. You have to remember: this team won 46 games last season without a star.
3. Denver Nuggets
Denver surged to the top two of the Western Conference last year, and should be a force again in 2019–20. Nikola Jokic will put together an MVP-caliber season, players like Jamal Murray, Gary Harris will continue to make strides, and the Nuggets will benefit from another year of consistency. With the same team as last year, we should expect similar production, although getting past the second round will once again be a challenge.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
A team with LeBron and AD at the fourth spot may be a stretch, but there are still a lot of pieces left to be integrated outside of the star duo. Frank Vogel will have a tough task implementing all the role players. The “Meme Team” from last year is gone, as the Lakers are once again ready to enter the spotlight and end their playoff drought. LeBron-led teams are also almost always better in the playoffs than the regular season, hence why I’m hesitant to put the Lakers higher than the fourth spot.
5. Utah Jazz
In any other season, the Jazz would have had a phenomenal off-season. They upgraded the point guard spot in Mike Conley who should unlock more of the offense. This team is already dominant on defense and the additions of Conley and Bojan Bogdanovic addressed their playmaking and shooting needs. The Jazz will look to make the leap this season, but that will be a tough task. In a stacked Western Conference, I don’t see them making it past the second round.
6. Golden State Warriors
I’ve learned over the years that it is never a good idea to underestimate a team with a chip on its shoulder, as that’s exactly what Golden State will be this season. Several players on the roster, including Curry and Green, have already said that they will embrace being counted out.
The supporting cast isn’t as good as it has been in years past, and while their dynasty may be over, you can’t count out a team with players of Curry and Green’s caliber. Klay Thompson not coming back this year will sting, as Golden State will need D’Angelo Russell to step up and fill the void production wise. The Warriors round out the six teams in the Western Conference who have a realistic shot at the title.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
I’ve underselled this Blazers team the past few years, and I won’t make the same mistake again this time. There’s no guarantee this team will make the playoffs in what will once again be a tough Western Conference, but the Blazers have been as consistent as it gets over the past few seasons. The Blazers should be back in the postseason in the lower half of the West’s top eight, but I can’t see them exceeding last year and making the Finals.
8. San Antonio Spurs
Last year was the season I thought the Spurs would finally miss the postseason, and I was sadly mistaken. Counting this team out is never a bright move, and until they miss the postseason, it is safe to assume that the Spurs will be back in the playoffs this year.
9. New Orleans Pelicans
Not only did the Pelicans acquire an immense amount of young talent in compensation for losing Anthony Davis, but they’ve quickly put themselves in a position to make the playoffs right away by adding savvy veterans as well. The Pelicans should be fighting for a playoff spot at the end of the year and will be a part of a multi-team scrap for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference.
10. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks had a much better season than expected last year, and will look to make the leap back into the postseason this time around. I see two situations happening this season for Dallas. The first is that they flourish, develop quicker than expected and get back to the playoffs. The second would be that this season serves as a year for their young duo of Doncic and Porzingis to develop chemistry while the team tries to get a potential third piece in the 2020 Draft.
At this point, I think it’s currently a toss-up as to whether or not this team will be playing playoff basketball.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
There’s been a culture shift in Minnesota. There is new leadership in the front office and a good mix of veteran and young talent that should usher in a new era of Wolves basketball. That being said, it’s hard to see the Timberwolves making the playoffs this year.
12. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have been notorious for making questionable moves and being downright dysfunctional in recent years, but last year appeared to be a major step in the right direction. Fans finally had something to be excited about last season after years of turmoil within the franchise.
That being said, I wouldn’t get too excited about this team just yet. Vlade Divac added experience in the off-season, but they aren’t quite ready to make the leap into the playoffs just yet. I have the Kings as one of the worst teams in the conference, and while they could find themselves a few spots higher in the end, the playoffs would be a reach. Teams will be more prepared for Sacramento this year after the Kings surprised and snuck up on a lot of their opponents last season.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is the most difficult team to predict since we don’t know when they will trade away their veteran pieces. The Thunder are in great danger of missing the playoffs for just the second time since the 2009–10 season, and I believe that happens this year. If there is one thing that is certain, it’s that this team is going to be far different than Thunder teams of the past.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this team falls to the bottom of the conference by season’s end, but that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. The focus this year for this team should be to simply acquire draft picks and young players to prep for the future. Right now, the Thunder’s final result this season is one of the more difficult ones to predict.
14. Phoenix Suns
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you this, but the Phoenix Suns are not making the playoffs this year. Will they improve? Yes, they will, but not to the point where they crack the top eight of the competitive Western Conference.
That being said, there is still much to be excited about at Talking Stick Resort Arena (did I mention how much I dislike that arena name?). DeAndre Ayton and Devin Booker have the chance to be first-time All-Stars this season, and if those two continue to progress, this team should be on an upward trajectory.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies begin a much needed rebuild this season, if they haven’t done so already in these past few years. A new style and team culture begins this campaign with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as fans at the Forum should be in for a treat.
That being said, the Grizzlies are still a few years away from reaching their pinnacle. Outside of their two blossoming stars, their roster will experience plenty of reconstruction as they attempt to find the right pieces to surround their new point guard-big man combination.
Eastern Conference
- Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is essentially running it back this year, and for good reason. The Bucks will rely heavily on Antetokounmpo and Middleton on offense. This team should once again be a top five squad on offense and defense and should threaten for a number one seed in the Eastern Conference once again. Anything less than a Finals berth and championship would be a disappointment for the Bucks this season.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are loaded with talent at every position, and talent alone should put them in the top two of a weak Eastern Conference. This team is under the microscope this year and will have to integrate a lot of new pieces quickly. If Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid show growth and the new players adjust well, this team should make the NBA Finals. If not, they will bow out early once again. At minimum, Philadelphia should make the Eastern Conference Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
The Celtics may not have the talent on paper that they did last season, but their chemistry on the court should vastly improve this time around. The Celtics are ready as ever to make a playoff run and should not be counted out. I have the Celtics winning between 47 to 51 games this season.
4. Miami Heat
The Heat will be playing playoff basketball once again this season, but how far they can make it with this core is still a major question. Miami will be competitive and gritty as always, and their final result will come down to how much they get out of their players not named Jimmy Butler.
5. Toronto Raptors
As they stand, the Raptors are a top five team in the Eastern Conference and have a second round peak. Considering that they aren’t title contenders anymore, the thought of a rebuild is looming over the organization. Given how much talent they do still have, however, expect this team to compete and fight for home court advantage in the playoffs. I would have this team at four if not for all of the trade rumors surrounding their veterans.
6. Brooklyn Nets
While many view this season as a gap year until Durant returns, I believe this scrappy Nets team could turn more heads and surprise people once again this season. Brooklyn will obviously have more expectations this year, and while I don’t expect them to gain home-court advantage in the playoffs, they should be playing postseason basketball again in 2020.
7. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are a talented team, but given Oladipo’s injury, I see this season as a stepback year for Indiana. If the Pacers’ star player is unable to return to full health this year, which I believe will be the case, then they will drop a few spots in the standings compared to last year.
8. Orlando Magic
The Magic are essentially running it back this year, which isn’t a terrible idea. Orlando will use the same balanced roster full of defensive specialists to try to get back to the playoffs once again. This team should be right around where they were last year: a .500 squad that barely reaches the playoffs and bows out in the first round. How this season plays out ultimately lies in how the younger players develop.
9. Chicago Bulls
Do not sleep on this Chicago Bulls team this year. Even if they don’t make the playoffs, they are almost certain to improve their win total from last season. They didn’t lose anyone who made significant contributions last year, brought in two valuable veterans, and should continue to see growth from their young core. For the first time in three years, the Bulls will be playing meaningful basketball late in the year and will be right in the thick of the playoff hunt.
10. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons should once again end up in the same spot they’ve been for the last four years: a fringe playoff team that will win roughly 38 to 42 games. Simply put it, this team will go as far as Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond can take them.
11. Atlanta Hawks
While the young core looks promising and should continue to develop this year, the Hawks are still looking at another rebuilding season. This team should be exciting, but I’d give it at least another year at minimum before they make the playoffs.
The Hawks took on their fair share of bad contracts this past summer as they try to clear their books after the season and accelerate their rebuild. Atlanta is looking at another losing season, but the future certainly looks bright for this organization. I’m projecting a win total in the 29 to 32 range for the Hawks.
12. Washington Wizards
The Wizards will rely on Bradley Beal very heavily this year. There simply isn’t enough talent for this team to win many games this year. Washington must hope that the young core can develop enough to where the franchise can attract more All-Star talent.
13. Charlotte Hornets
I would be shocked if the Hornets win more than 25 games this season. This team is entering a rebuild that has been years in the making, and it doesn’t appear they will be out of it anytime soon. The Hornets will be most looking forward to the draft lottery next summer, as they’ll need the ping pong balls to bounce in their favor to try to land a potential star. On top of that, the front office has to improve its draft success if they want to get the franchise back on track.
14. New York Knicks
While they shouldn’t be quite as bad as last year, the Knicks should once again struggle in 2019–20. Their veteran additions will help them, but Barrett and Knox will take turns taking bad shots and the Knicks offense will once again suffer. New York will once again be a bottomfeeder and will finish in the bottom three of the Eastern Conference standings.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season was a disaster for the Cavaliers. Their play on the court was subpar and off the court things were even worse. J.R. Smith left the team, Collin Sexton was criticized by teammates for “not knowing how to play,” Tristan Thompson had several issues off the floor, and the team went through two head coaches and 27 different players.
After all the drama and losing last year, things should get a little better for the Cavaliers this time around, but not by much. I project the Cavaliers win total to be in the high teens to low twenties.
Champion and Awards:
NBA Champion: Houston Rockets over Milwaukee Bucks
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Sixth Man of the Year: Fred VanVleet (Raptors)
Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Most Improved Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Coach of the Year: Mike Malone (Nuggets)
Executive of the Year: Lawrence Frank (Clippers)
Rookie of the Year: Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
