Draft, Free Agency, Trades – the Offseason 2018 had and has it all. How did the 30 teams proceed in the summer? What were their goals? SPOX analyses all 30 teams.
The Atlantic Division should be the best relay team in the East this season. With the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Toronto Raptors, three potential contenders for the NBA Finals are playing in a division. The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are in upheaval.
In the Central Division, the Chicago Bulls are a team in a state of upheaval. The Cleveland Cavaliers have to sort themselves out after the LeBron exit and are determined to make the playoffs. The Detroit Pistons, with their new head coach Dwane Casey, want to achieve the same goal, while the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks are the favourites for this season.
The Southeast Division is currently the weakest of the NBA. With the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic two teams are in the middle of the rebuild, the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat were only mediocre at best. After all, the Washington Wizards with newcomer Dwight Howard have higher ambitions.
The Northwest Division is the hardest fought division in the league. Whether Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz or Oklahoma City Thunder – each team has playoff ambitions. At least! With Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler or Damian Lillard there are also lots of superstars.
This is the home of the champion from Oakland, the Golden State Warriors – and the Los Angeles Lakers, who have signed LeBron James, probably the best player in the world. The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are young teams in upheaval, while the Los Angeles Clippers are likely to be in midfield.
The southwest is dominated by the Texas teams – the Dallas Mavericks with Dirk Nowitzki (and Luka Doncic!), Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. All teams want to make at least the playoffs, which also applies to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Memphis Grizzlies have outside chances.