Even with SGA, OKC will never give up Cason Wallace, especially to a WC rival, but he's exactly who we need.
As it stands, I think finishing in the Top 6 might be a real struggle:
1. OKC added :
* Topic (2024 FRP) back from injury
* Everyone else returns
2. DEN added:
* Cam Johnson
* Jonas Valancuinas
* Tim Hardway Jr
* Bruce Bowen
3. LAC Added:
* Bradley Beal
* Brook Lopez
* John Collins
* Chris Paul
4. GSW added:
* Al Horford
* Gary Payton Jr
* Butler fully healthy
5. HOU added:
* Kevin Durant
* Clint Capela
* FVV season injury a huge loss
6. DAL added:
* Cooper Flagg
* Healthy Kyrie Irving
* Healthy Anthony Davis
7. MIN added
* 3rd string PG
8. LAL added:
* DeAndre Ayton
* Marcus Smart
* Full year with Doncic
just because you brought up additions and injuries
OKC is the undoubted favorite and I think personally this is why the Wolves didn't try sell big and would rather try see if they can add at the deadline if OKC looks vulnerable.
Denver added a bunch of older role players. They also have no point guard and Jamal Murray hasn't played a full season for about 5 years. They're still in much the same spot as last year, though in theory should have better outside shooting. They certainly should be good provided that guy names Jokic is playing for them, but I don't know how much better the team outside of him is as the rotation tightens.
The Clippers added Beal (bordered on unplayable at times for the Suns as he's a terrible defender and hasn't played a full year in 5 years at least), 40yo Chris Paul, has Kawii who is never healthy, and still has James Harden who never plays defense. So an old team that's made of glass mixed with guys who don't play defense but man this team sounds super awesome on paper circa 2017.
GSW repeat above. Their entire year hinges on players who are 37, 36, and 35 and have all missed consistent games as well as significantly lost a step (looking at you Draymond, who Randle made look absolutely foolish for an entire series).
For Dallas, Kyrie isn't expected back until into 2026 at earliest. Flagg is a rookie. Anthony Davis is made of glass. They sound fun with some big stars, but the roster is filled with a bunch of iso players and who knows when Kyrie actually comes back.
Houston also doesn't have a PG with VanVleet tearing an ACL. They will play hard and scrap, but who are the scorers now and in the playoffs? KD is one of my favorite players, but they don't space the floor well now around him and are relying on him or Sengun to try create the offense. VanVleet healthy and it feels different. they don't really have a way to address that deficit.
The Lakers I'll be curious to see if Luka's changing his body helps him stay healthy and if Lebron can function the way that makes the Lakers elite or if he's out of gas like he was last year. He's 40 and father time is undefeated
The wolves are young and have guys who have been relatively healthy. I don't think they come close to touching OKC yet again, but to act like everyone else just added impeccably isn't true. Think the Wolves finish between 2nd-6th depending on if Ant takes the next step of keeping this team locked in or not (the wolves finished 3 games out of 2nd with losses to Utah, Washington, NO, Portland x2. I do think losing NAW is going to hurt us more than people are thinking as you're losing a very good defending hybrid guard/forward with a little bit of handle and replacing him with 2 guys who played minimal minutes and Juzang (who probably is a plus shooting wise at least). I just hope they decide they need to figure out what they have in Dilly and TJ early in the year because there's no reason Mike needs to be playing meaningful minutes early in the season (you already know what he offers) and you need to figure out if you want to buy at the deadline or try move some some guys (Donte for example) for draft capital for next year. This team is barely under the 2nd apron so there's not any help coming
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