The Washington Wizards, led by high-scoring backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, have the inside track to the Southeast division title. Unless the Miami Heat acquire Jimmy Butler in a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, they’ll likely finish in second place behind the Wizards.
The Southeast is arguably the weakest division in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks were the worst team last season and expected to be as bad this year. The Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets are stuck in perpetual rebuilding mode. Meanwhile, future Hall of Famer and 12-time All Star Dwyane Wade signed a one-year deal a week before training camp. Wade will prolong his retirement for a farewell tour with the Miami Heat.
Washington Wizards
Last Season: 43-39 (#8)
Projected Record: 45-39
Odds to Win Championship: 150/1
Odds to Win Southeast: 2/3
Butler or no Butler, the Wizards still have their eyes on the beating Miami for the division title. The backcourt is one of the most exciting in all of basketball. Bradley Beal (22.6 ppg) and John Wall (19.4 ppg) combined for 42 points per game last year.
Otto Porter quietly posted a high-quality season (14.6 ppg) and Markieff Morris is a double-double machine.
In the offseason, the Wizards bolstered the roster with veterans Dwight Howard (16.6 ppg), Austin Rivers (15.1 ppg) and Jeff Green. D-12 is replacing Marcin Gortat.
Wizards also have a strong bench with Kelly Oubre Jr. (11.8 ppg) and Tomas Satoransky, plus rookie Troy Brown.
Projected Starters: John Wall (PG), Bradley Beal (SG), Otto Porter Jr. (SF), Markieff Morris (PF), Dwight Howard (C)
Miami Heat
Last Season: 44-38 (#6)
Projected Record: 44-38
Odds to Win Championship: 300/1
Odds to Win Southeast: 2/1
The Heat made a quick exit in the first round of the playoffs. Essentially, it’s the same team returning for D-Wade’s swan song.
Pat Riley thinks Jimmy Butler can push the Heat to the top of the Eastern Conference and compete with the Celtics and Pacers. The Timberwolves balked at his offer (which included Josh Richardson) and the trade is still in limbo.
Goran Dragic (17.9 ppg) gets all the attention, but power forward James Johnson (10.8 ppg) is the Heat’s secret weapon and poised for a huge breakout season.
Hassan Whiteside’s inconsistency in playoffs was a major concern. Luckily there’s Bam Adebayo waiting for a chance for more playing time. Adebayo had strong rookie season averaging 7 points in 19 minutes as a reserve.
Along Bam, the Heat have a deep bench with Kelly Olynyk (11.5 ppg), Justise Winslow (10 ppg, 5.5 rebounds), and Wayne Ellington.
Projected Starters: Goran Dragic (PG), Dwyane Wade (SG), Josh Richardson (SF), James Johnson (PF), Hassan Whiteside (C)
Charlotte Hornets
Last Season: 36-46
Projected Record: 35-47
Odds to Win Championship: 400/1
Odds to Win Southeast: 12/1
The young Hornets couldn’t win on a consistent basis, so GM Mitch Kupchak added a mix of journeyman veterans such as Tony Parker.
Kemba Walker (22 ppg) has been the subject of trade rumors for the last year. Will Kemba finally get shipped out?
With the #12 pick, the Hornets drafted 6’7″ forward Miles Bridges from Michigan State. Bridges will be coming off the bench with Parker, Jeremy Lamb (12.9 ppg), Frank Kaminsky (11.1 ppg), and Bismack Biyombo.
Projected Starters: Kemba Walker (PG), Nicolas Batum (SG), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (SF), Marvin Williams (PF), Cody Zeller (C)
Orlando Magic
Last Season: 36-46
Projected Record: 30-52
Odds to Win Championship: 500/1
Odds to Win Southeast: 14/1
It’s Mo Bamba time in Orlando! The Magic drafted the 7-footer from Texas with the #6 pick.
Nikola Vucevic (16.5 ppg), Evan Fournier (17.8 ppg), and Aaron Gordon (17.6 ppg) provide some scoring, but the Magic are lacking a big-time star and do not have enough talent to consistently beat the top teams in the East. Can Mo Bamba become that star?
The Magic struggled with defense last season, Mo Bamba should have an immediate impact in that department, but the
Frank Vogel is out and Steve Clifford is in as new head coach. Clifford is lucky that the Hawks are so bad, otherwise the Magic would be the worst team in the division.
Projected Starters: D.J. Augustin (PG), Evan Fournier (SG), Jonathan Simmons (SF), Aaron Gordon (PF), Nikola Vucevic (C)
Atlanta Hawks
Last Season: 24-58
Projected Record: 23-59
Odds to Win Championship: 500/1
Odds to Win Southeast: 50/1
The worst team in the East last season will be the worst team in the East again this season. Is it Tank City, Georgia again for the Hawks? It worked last year and the Hawks parlayed their top pick into two when they drafted Luka Doncic and traded him to the Mavericks for Trae Young and an additional first round draft pick.
Young was a scoring machine in college (27.4 ppg). Will they let him loose, or will he be dishing instead? He also led Oklahoma in assists as a freshman too.
The Hawks have a new head coach, long-time Cavs assistant, Lloyd Pierce. He’s only one year older than Vince Carter. Yes, Vince Carter is still playing in the NBA and heading into his 20th season of service. Pierce will rely on Carter to help the rookies and young players how to be professionals.
John Collins (10.5 ppg, 7.3 rebounds) had an impressive standout rookie season. The Hawks have a super-talented big man who should average a double-double this year.
Projected Starters: Trae Young (PG), Kent Bazemore (SG), Taurean Prince (SF), John Collins (PF), Dewayne Dedmon (C)