by Esequiel Serrano ’25

1. Anfernee Simons will have a breakout season with the absence of Damian Lillard.

The Trailblazers have recently entered a rebuilding stage, and with this they traded their biggest star of the past decade and arguably history, Damian Lillard. When Simons was next to Dame, he averaged 21 ppg this past year. With Anfernee and Dame having similar playstyles, they’ll more than likely want Anfernee to start alongside the rookie Scoot Henderson, allowing a more ball dominant role. I believe Anfernee can average above 26 ppg this next season, And 6 assists. With a more increased role, he can play at an All-Star level and even become one this next season. I  believe this will also put him in the most improved race.

2. Desmond Bane will have an amazing 25-game stretch

With Ja Morant ruled out to miss the first 25 games of the season with suspension, this will open up space for a new main scorer. Desmond Bane is the perfect player on the roster to step up and take over. DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. could step up, but with his defensive play, I believe if he is asked to step up offensively, his production would drop on one side of the court. Desmond Bane, who is already the second leading scorer of the roster behind Ja, would be the best option. I think that during the 25 game stretch Desmond Bane can average up to 28 ppg, on efficient shooting splits.

3. The Atlanta Hawks can be a top Eastern team by the end of the season.

Trae Young and the hawks had a disappointing average season last year, ending 41-41. The hawks acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade last season, and they had this past year to adjust to the new team. Getting rid of John Collins may actually be a positive for them, as it gives space for Onyeka Okungwu to develop, and opens up more minutes for Saddiq Bey as well. Trae has been disrespected by the media all summer long, and we have seen before how Trae Young responds. Trae having a monster year along with the rest of the team stepping up and playing better, and they should be able to push for 55 wins on the season.  

4. The Toronto Raptors will enter a rebuild next off-season, after a disappointing season this next year.

With Pascal Siakam entering free agency, the Raptors will have big decisions to make next year, on deciding whether or not they choose to re-sign Siakam. However, they have lost Fred Vanvleet this year to the Rockets, so I believe they will lose Siakam and enter a rebuild with the rest of the young core.  They can trade away any old players for picks and assets. This rebuild stemming so soon after their title run is so unseen, but when Kawhi left the same year, they have lost a valuable piece to the ring every year since then as well.

5. Pacers can have a playoff push this season

The Pacers were relatively bad last year, ending the season as the 11th seed, 35-47. However, Tyrese Haliburton has shown signs of improvement every year, benedict mathurin looked like a solid scoring option his second year, and they added pieces like Obi Toppin and Bruce Brown, to valuable role players. Their weakest point is their center play, other than Myles turner, they don’t have many more GOOD centers to put in.

6. Jordan Poole averaging 29 ppg next season.

Back when he was on the Warriors, Jordan Poole needed the “baddies” to play better and score 30+, but he will make this a common appearance next season. Without a doubt, the first scoring option next year is a lock for him. He will have a drive to show the Warriors he was better than they thought he was. The wizards will be giving him the biggest green light, as they are entering a rebuild with him at its center (so far). Jordan poole can mimic his efficiency from two years ago and solidify himself as an all-star.

7. The Mavericks will make the play-in, as an 8-10 seed.

 Many blamed the new duo of Kyrie and Luka failing on the duo being new, and them simply having to adjust to work together. However, I don’t believe this dynamic of guard-guard works with Luka. They,ve tried it before with Jalen Brunson, and even when Jalen left, He had a breakout season and has continued to improve. They got Grant to help forward depth and defense, Derrick Jones jr. to add spacing, and drafted Derrick Lively II for a center role. Many believe this team will make a play-off push, but I myself don’t believe in Luka working with another guard, ESPECIALLY with a ball dominant guard like Kyrie.