NBA: Wrap around 2023-24 season primer for all 30 teams
Dallas Mavericks
Starting Lineup
- Luka Doncic
- Kyrie Irving
- Grant Williams
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper
- Dereck Lively II
Key Bench Players
- Jaden Hardy
- Tim Hardaway Jr
- Seth Curry
- Maxi Kleber
- Dwight Powell
Season Overview: One of the bigger disappointments in the league last year was the Dallas Mavericks after they acquired Kyrie Irving. They have two of the biggest stars in the game and yet they struggled down the stretch, especially on the defensive side. However, they were able to construct a roster with a much better supporting cast.
Grant Williams is a significant upgrade over Reggie Bullock – he is a solid defender who can knock down the three, but more importantly he will stay out of the way of Doncic and Irving. Prosper and Lively will need to grow up quickly if they want to compete, but Lively should be an elite rim protector which they have been desperately missing for the last few years.
Portland Trail Blazers
Starting Lineup
- Scoot Henderson
- Anfernee Simmons
- Jerami Grant
- Kris Murray
- Deandre Ayton
Key Bench Players
- Malcolm Brogdon
- Robert Williams
- Matisse Thybulle
- Shaedon Sharpe
- John Butler Jr.
Season Overview: The Portland Trail Blazers are all over the place after the Damian Lillard trade. I think the front office is excited to move on from that chapter of the franchise and move into a rebuilding phase. Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simmons, Kris Murray and Shaedon Sharpe should get all the minutes they need in order to progress as young players in the league.
Matisse Thybulle might be able to find his shot again after the change in scenery. Jerami Grant will be the team’s leader after signing a big new contract, but Brogdon, Ayton and Robert Williams are in no man’s land. I would expect the team to trade some of these players to acquire future draft capital. The Blazers are going to be bad, but they have a clear path ahead.