The bright side: A positive storyline for every NBA team
Snark and sarcasm are easy when looking at certain NBA rosters these days. But beyond the dysfunction in Minnesota and the oddball addition of Dwight Howard in Washington, there are positive things to behold.
Here's one for all 30 teams as the 2018-19 season approaches.
Trae Young has the tools to be a very exciting player, and the Hawks plan on unleashing him in transition.
Here's to full health. With Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving returning, they join forces with youngsters Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, making Boston the team to beat in the East.
The Nets will struggle on the court, but after this season, they'll have as much as $84 million in salary cap space and an attractive New York City address.
Franchise player Kemba Walker is saying all the right things about wanting to stay in Charlotte. The playoffs aren't out of the question.
Jabari Parker is back home and healthy with a clean slate.
Collin Sexton says he's ready to fill the leadership void in Cleveland. The gunner is also a leading favorite for Rookie of the Year.
A strong Rookie of the Year candidate in Luka Doncic, the hops of Dennis Smith Jr., and what could be Dirk Nowitzki's final season? Let's get it.
They won't defend well, but Denver possesses an explosive young core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris. Add the possibility of contributions from lsaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., and their likability skyrockets.
It's unorthodox in today's NBA, but let's get weird with a full season of the big man axis of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. Drummond's already promising to shoot threes.
What else can you say about a team that has won 265 games and three NBA championships over the last four seasons? Oh wait, we'll probably see DeMarcus Cousins manning the middle for them by springtime.
Carmelo Anthony seems to have seen the light and could fit like a glove as a sixth man. Also, James Ennis appears ready to pick up some of the 3-and-D slack left by Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute.
Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner? Yes, please.
Rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be ready to raise some eyebrows in the Association. "Potentially a star in this league," teammate Patrick Beverley said of the Canadian.
Probably the most fascinating team in the NBA. With the unlikelihood of the Lakers trading away young assets during the season with ample cap space existing next summer, LeBron James will play a large part in helping to coach Los Angeles' budding stars.
Expect occasional fireworks with the likes of Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, and Lance Stephenson aboard, but also expect James to carry them to the playoffs.
People may be sleeping on Jaren Jackson Jr.'s potential impact as a rookie.
Cherish the things of your youth: Dwyane Wade's farewell tour begins Oct. 17 in Orlando.
The Bucks may need more shooters to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there's something breathtaking about the way he can change a game by taking two strides from midcourt to the basket.
Beyond the team's current dysfunction, it's worth remembering that Karl-Anthony Towns isn't even 23 yet.
Julius Randle could go down as a brilliant offseason signing, paired up front with the dominance of Anthony Davis and the shooting ability of Nikola Mirotic.
Kristaps Porzingis may be out indefinitely, but David Fizdale is on the sideline and the Knicks' faithful fell in love with Kevin Knox at Summer League.
Paul George re-upped with the Thunder for at least three more seasons. For the moment, OKC's window is clear.
Mo Bamba isn't among the Vegas favorites for Rookie of the Year. But he's a treat and keeps a picture of Deandre Ayton being picked No. 1 as his screensaver for motivation.
The Process continues. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are ready to take another step, while Markelle Fultz appears ready to put a bizarre rookie season behind him.
Devin Booker is going into his fourth NBA season averaging 25 points per game and is still younger than Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, and rookie teammate Mikal Bridges.
Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum remain one of the league's most potent backcourts, and with their journalistic endeavors, they're the NBA's version of Woodward and Bernstein.
It's always tough finding a silver lining with the Kings, but head coach Dave Joerger plans to give De'Aaron Fox the keys to the Audi and speed up the offense.
The Spurs won 48 games last season without Kawhi Leonard. Observers are questioning their spacing concerns, but they've still added a four-time All-Star in DeMar DeRozan.
The last time the Raptors entered a season as a solid NBA Finals bet without LeBron standing in their way was in 2001. It's there for the taking, Toronto.
Year two of Donovan Mitchell.
Otto Porter Jr. seems to get better every year. He's not the Wizards' best player, but he's their most indispensable one.
HEADLINES
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- The Celtics don't need to panic ... unless they keep panicking