9. Atlanta Hawks (2018-2019 record: 29-53)
If you had to choose a young team that has the best future, you are probably choosing the New Orleans Pelicans. After the Pelicans, the only other team that even comes close for young talent is the Atlanta Hawks.
Trae Young, who started slow but ended the season very strong, looks like he’s ready to take that next step. John Collins also had a very good season and his chemistry with Trae Young can only get better. The whole team can shoot 3s and the additions of Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter complement Atlanta’s system perfectly.
It would not be surprising if the Hawks do squeeze into the playoffs — they play today’s game and have the talent to make it to the postseason. However, the Atlanta Hawks are a super young team with the average age being 23.6. That will be the factor that keeps them out of the playoffs.
8. Detroit Pistons (2018-2019 record: 41-41)
The Detroit Pistons barely made it to the playoffs last year with Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond leading the charge. It took them Blake Griffin playing on one leg at the end of the season to keep them alive. And after having his healthiest since 2014, Blake Griffin having another season as healthy as the last will be the Pistons’ biggest challenge.
The additions of Derick Rose and Markieff Morris are going to help Griffin run the offense, and if Luke Kennard can continue to evolve, the Pistons should be good enough for a playoff spot — assuming there are no major injuries to Griffin. The experience and age difference with the Hawks is the main reason the Pistons beat out the Hawks for the final playoff seed.
7. Orlando Magic (2018-2019 record: 42-40)
Ending the season, the Orlando Magic were one of the hotter teams in the league, going 11-2 in the last 13 games to clinch a playoff spot. The Magic are running it back with the same core they had last year by re-signing Nikola Vučević and Terrence Ross. They also have our Wonder Kids in Markelle Fultz and Michael Carter-Williams, who have both struggled to get their career rolling in the NBA. Hopefully for Fultz he does find his rhythm in the NBA this season.
This team’s core is good to make the playoffs, and they also have good young players in Johnathan Isaac and Mo Bamba still growing. The team did not get better, and it did not get worst and that’s why I have them finishing at 7th place like last season again.