No matter how good your team is in the NBA, everyone has a window. There are a number of factors including age, injuries, and style that can influence how high a team’s ceiling really is. If the team’s core is in their prime and are on the precipice, they should buy into their chances that year.
If your team is dysfunctional or age caught up to them, then it’s time to start from scratch. These are 5 NBA teams one piece away from contention, and 5 teams that need to rebuild.
5. One Piece Away: New Orleans Pelicans
In 2022-23, the New Orleans Pelicans were the best team in the Western Conference, even if for a brief period. Lead by Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans took a massive step forward in both play and mentality and looked ready to finally compete in a relatively open West. Unfortunately, another injury to Zion knocked the Pelicans all the way down to the Play-In Tournament.
The reason why the Pelicans are low on the list is simple: the player they’re missing is a healthy Zion Williamson. When Zion plays, he unlocks one of the best offenses in the league, and the team has more than enough shooting and defense around him to maximize their ceiling. Unfortunately, injuries are commonplace with him. If the Pelicans get a healthy Zion, their ceiling my be an NBA Finals berth.
5. Rebuild: Golden State Warriors
This isn’t so much a rebuild situation, but more of a realistic expectations situation. Since 2015, the warriors have made 6 Finals appearances and won four of them. The core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson deserve to be among the great trios in NBA history, but the truth is their best years are behind them.
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The trio can still play at a high level, but championships are out of the question. Even with the newly added Chris Paul, the Warriors are victims of younger teams rising such as the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. Though rebuilding isn’t in their playbook, letting the team ride off into the sunset together is the best the core can do in 2024.
4. One Piece Away: Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have really good pieces in place. An all star Guard in Trae Young, a secondary playmaker in Dejonte Murray, and moveable players and picks. The Hawks even made noise in the playoffs, pushing the 2022 Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics to 6 games, but they need to make a big splash to push themselves into title favorites.
With a number of young players to package and picks to sweeten the deal, the Atlanta Hawks should be buyers for any major player on the market to elevate themselves in 2024. Should players like Karl Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, or Miles Bridges become available, the Hawks could put together a great package to contend with the Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the East.
4. Rebuild: LA Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers were supposed to be a dynasty. The team built around superstar wings Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had the offense and defense combined that could shut down the opposing stars and pressure defenses. Unfortunately, numerous roster changes, coaching hires, and most of all injuries, have kept the team from reaching their full potential, with their peak being a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.
Unlike the Warriors, this isn’t a team that has had over a decade of success, it’s clearly time to rebuild. Trade Leonard and George for any draft assets the team can acquire and fully embrace a rebuild. As the injuries and age keep the team from their potential and younger and better teams emerge, its time for the Clippers to move on.
3. One Piece Away: New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are showing signs of elevating in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson has proved to be an amazing Point Guard and leader, Julius Randle is a top Power Forward in the league, and the team has enough young talent and depth to keep them in the playoffs for years to come. That said, the Knicks lack one thing to make them a true contender: A legitimate first option.
Brunson is a great shooter and playmaker, but he needs a number one option to take the pressure off offensively. Randle is a great complimentary piece, but lacks consistency and playoff performance to be relied upon. If the Knicks want to be a true contender in 2024, they’ll keep a look out for the next big star who wants to get traded.
3. Rebuild: Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have been in the conversation for best team in the Eastern Conference for years following the “Trust the Process” years. Years of tanking and trading has built a core of reigning MVP Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey and multiple 50 win seasons, but what has that gotten them? Years of 2nd round exits and now James Harden has asked for a trade. With Embiid’s health a consistent threat, what is the 76er’s ceiling?
Unlike other rebuilding teams, the Sixers have a young centerpiece in Maxey and they need to focus on his development. Trade Harden, get a massive haul for Embiid, and start from the beginning with new coach Nick Nurse and build for the future. With too many question marks around the team and their mentality, find consistency and forge a new culture.
2. One Piece Away: Miami Heat
Miami’s inclusion on this list isn’t just based on the potential Damian Lillard trade. The Miami Heat, fresh off of a Finals appearance, fought against the Nuggets, but didn’t have the firepower to overcome Nikola Jokic and company. Though Herro was out for the playoffs, the Heat need another high level player to pair with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Thankfully, the Heat have the players and draft picks to get an all star in return. Whether it’s Lillard or another star, the Heat need a consistent scorer to add to their roster and take the offensive pressure off of Butler in the playoffs. If the Heat pull off a trade, expect them to be ready to compete in 2024.
2. Rebuild: Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls tried to build a contender. Acquiring players like Zach Lavine, Demar Derozan, and Lonzo Ball were the right moves to position themselves in the playoff race. Unfortunately, whether it’s injuries, old players, or just an overall lack of high end talent, the Bulls are far from contention in a loaded Eastern Conference. Bulls fans deserve a clear picture.
The front office needs to admit that their ceiling is practically nonexistent in today’s league. Nobody on their team will be the best player on a championship team, regardless of how much money the team throws at players. They are doomed to NBA purgatory and losing in the first round. It’s time to reset.
1. One Piece Away: Sacramento Kings
For the first time in decades, the Sacramento Kings have a strong team. De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray helped lead the Kings to the 3rd best record in the Western Conference. With a plethora of depth and one of the most potent offenses in the league today, the Kings put the league on notice by taking the defending champion Golden State Warriors to 7 games in the first round.
The Kings are on the rise, but a splash move could take the team from tough playoff team to legitimate threat for the title. A two way player to add to their defense and further their lethal offense could be tough to overcome in the post season, and a player like Pascal Siakam or making a run at Paul George could make the Kings instant favorites.
1. Rebuild: Toronto Raptors
The reason the Toronto Raptors made the number one spot is their refusal to pull the trigger on a rebuild. After winning the NBA Championship in 2019, the Raptors have doubled down on players like Fred Van Vleet, Pascal Siakam, and O.G. Anunoby as they look to make a playoff push. This kind of thinking has led to the team firing head coach Nick Nurse and Van Vleet leaving in free agency.
Toronto has Scottie Barnes to build around, and they need to move off of their better players to help build a future contender around the now 3rd year Small Forward. Making a decision to embrace a new identity and building around Barnes’ strengths and weaknesses is a must for the team. Don’t sell a bright future in pursuit of a dim today, Toronto.
