East Runners up
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum: 28 points per game
Jaylen Brown: 20 points per game
Just edging out Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris (though they were edged out of the honorable mentions, although this counts as some sort of mention) I expect the Celtics’ dynamic – and freshly paid – young wings to finally be the undisputed offensive focal points with veterans gone or injured. I expect Tatum’s efficiency, in particular, will suffer, and he may lead the league in shot attempts, now that Boston finally needs him to.
Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant: 26 points per game
Kyrie Irving: 22 points per game
I expect we’ll see a totally healthy and confident KD this season out to re-establish himself as one of the best offensive players in the league. To be clear, I expect he will still be capable of averaging over 30 points per game but will cede touches to teammates as he always has.
Independent of any speculative trades, this team will need both Durant and Irving to go off almost nightly, as they don’t have any true defensive stoppers on the team.