NBA: Wrap around 2023-24 season primer for all 30 teams

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is presented the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is presented the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after a 94-89 victory against the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at Ball Arena on June 12, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Brandon Miller (Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)

Charlotte Hornets

Starting Lineup

  • LaMelo Ball
  • Terry Rozier
  • Brandon Miller
  • PJ Washington
  • Mark Williams

Key Bench Players

  • Cody Martin
  • Gordon Hayward
  • Miles Bridges
  • Nick Smith Jr.

Season overview: I don’t even know where to begin with this team. If you are playing your friend in 2K and you get the Hornets you’d probably nod your head and think, “I can work with this.” LaMelo is a game changer, Terry Rozier is impossible to stay in front of, Brandon Miller could be a future superstar, and Miles Bridges is back in the fold.

However, it is impossible to ignore all of the offseason issues this team has had to deal with with Miller, Bridges, and Kai Jones. They also don’t play defense. I just see keeping this locker room together as too big of a challenge, even for Gordon Hayward. They might sneak into the Play-In tournament, but that’s as far as I see them making it.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Starting Lineup

  • Mike Conley
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Karl Anthony Towns
  • Rudy Gobert

Key Bench Players

  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • Kyle Anderson

Season Overview: The Minnesota Timberwolves had a disappointing end to their season last year, but Anthony Edwards showed just how dominant he can be over the summer. That, along with Rudy Gobert threatening to become one of the formidable deep threats in the league, and this team could finally win a playoff series or two.

If KAT shows up and plays how he is capable of playing in the playoffs then they will be a tough out, but they are still slightly below the upper echelon in the west.