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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Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

New Orleans Pelicans

Starting Lineup

  • CJ McCollum
  • Brandon Ingram
  • Herbert Jones
  • Zion Williamson
  • Jonas Valanciunas

Key Bench Players

  • Jose Alvarado
  • Trey Murphy III
  • Jordan Hawkins

Season Overview: Zion Williamson is finally back and ready to go. The New Orleans Pelicans might be the team I am most excited about heading into next season as it feels like their vision is finally coming to fruition. CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram are two of the best pure scorers in the league, Herbert Jones can guard just about anybody and they are anchored by stalwart Jonas Valanciunas down low.

Zion was dominant when he was playing, so they will only go as far as his health can take them. The Pelicans could easily be one of the top teams in the West.

Denver Nuggets

Starting Lineup

  • Jamal Murray
  • Kentavious Caldwell Pope
  • Michael Porter Jr.
  • Aaron Gordon
  • Nikola Jokic

Key Bench Players

  • Reggie Jackon
  • Christian Braun

Season Overview: Nikola Jokic proved to be the best and most dominant player in the NBA right now during last year’s playoffs. Losing Bruce Brown will hurt their depth, but their star power is arguably the best in the league.

Jamal Murray is elite, Michael Porter Jr. can shoot the lights out, and Aaron Gordon has been thriving in his role in Denver. If Michael Porter Jr can continue to be more consistent and they can avoid a championship hangover then we could be looking at back-to-back champions.