The Warriors and Hawks each face an important offseason after missing the 2024 playoffs.
We're nearly a week into the 2024 NBA postseason, and the 2024-25 campaign can't come soon enough for the 14 teams sitting at home.
The 2023–24 regular season featured five 60-loss teams, the most since 1997–98 when six teams suffered 60 or more losses. But a look at the current playoff bracket should give hope. Five teams that lost last season in the current field have reached the postseason.
Some of these groups may be ripe for a similar renewal in 2024-25.
Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 Registration: 36-46
Missing the postseason for the first time since 2020, in part because they've missed the seventh-most games due to injuries, Atlanta can now prepare for an important offseason. The draft marks the last time the Hawks will have control over their first-round pick until 2028. If Atlanta decides to split its backcourt, it could rebuild the roster around a young group that includes Satik Bey, Jalen Johnson, Kobe Puffkin, Onyeka. Okongwu and AJ Griffin.
Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 Registration: 32-50
The Nets continue to deal with the fallout from their super-team title chase with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden and do not control a first-round pick for the next three seasons. With 11 players under contract for next season, new coach Jordi Fernandez has a good talent pool. Cam Thomas doubled his scoring average from last season. That should give Brooklyn confidence about his fit with Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 Registration: 21-61
Charlotte has the league's fifth-youngest roster with eight players 23 or younger. So, as the Hornets conduct their coaching search, they will be looking for a candidate who specializes in player development. Worryingly, LaMelo Ball has missed 58 games over the past two seasons due to ankle injuries. The 22-year-old said he will use the summer to build strength to prevent injuries. It's also worth noting that Charlotte added two future first-round picks at the trade deadline.
Chicago Bulls
2023-24 Enrollment: 39-43
We all saw the rise of Gobi White and Ayo Dosummu. There have been some positive developments with injured point guard Lonzo Ball, who has not played since January 2022 due to three separate knee surgeries. Ball has been cleared to run and cut, and if he doesn't suffer any setbacks, it's hoped he could return in August or September. Can you imagine him defending on the perimeter with Alex Caruso if Ball wins his rebounds?
Kobe White emerged, but injuries limited the Bulls' potential. An opening for a rebuild as key players enter free agency?
Detroit Pistons
2023-24 Registration: 14-68
Cate Cunningham improved in Year 3, including his scoring, assists, field goal percentage and 3-point percentage (he shot 39.6% from deep after the All-Star break). Detroit could add more talent around him with another lottery pick. Additionally, the Pistons have cap space to upgrade in free agency. Six of Detroit's recent first-round picks are still playing on their first contracts, which helps with financial flexibility.
Golden State Warriors
2023-24 Registration: 46-36
Maybe they took a step down. But Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson could take the Warriors deeper into the postseason. Hopefully the front office can find a way to bring back Thompson, a free agent. Golden State saw positive development from Brandin Potzimski and Jonathan Kuminga, and don't forget the Warriors finished the regular season 10-2. Finances will drive results, but the Warriors have a general manager in Mike Dunleavy who is committed to keeping his team in contention.
Houston Rockets
2023-24 Registration: 41-41
New coach Ime Udoka guided Houston to a 19-win increase from last season, leading the Rockets to make another jump in his second season. Houston added solid cattle last summer in Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green, leading a talented group of youngsters led by Jalen Green, Alberon Sengun and newcomers Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Udoka and the veterans instilled a winning habit almost immediately. The Rockets bring back their entire starting five.
Memphis Grizzlies
2023-24 Registration: 27-55
Injuries led Memphis to use 51 different starting lineups throughout the season as the Grizzlies missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. But now, Memphis is bringing in a lottery pick to play alongside Ja Morant, Desmond Payne, Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. , thus speeding up their growth.
Portland Trail Blazers
2023-24 Registration: 21-61
Portland ranked No. 2 in the most games missed due to injury as the Trail Blazers used 40 different starting lineups in their first season without superstar Damian Lillard. Portland has four picks in the top 40 of the 2024 draft, with two of those picks likely to land in the lottery. Additionally, the Trail Blazers have two potential stars in Scoot Henderson and Shayden Sharp.
Sacramento Kings
2023-24 Registration: 46-36
After two losses in the play-in tournament, the Kings missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (they made the playoffs in 2023). Injuries to Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk were too much to deal with. However, Sacramento is led by a pair of stars in De'Aaron Fox and Tomantas Sabonis. Keegan Murray averaged 15.2 points a no. The talent is there to get it running again, especially if they can re-sign Monk, a free agent.
San Antonio Spurs
2023-24 Registration: 22-60
Victor Vembaniama. He embodies the faith of absolute ownership. As a rookie, the Frenchman performed better than the organization expected, highlighting the importance of making the right moves around the franchise superstar. Fortunately for Spurs, Wembaniama has aligned with the team's slow, conservative approach. San Antonio has plenty of draft capital to make moves this offseason. But Spurs and Vembanyama agree that building sustained long-term success is crucial.
Recall some of Victor Wembanyama's best plays and moments from the 2023-24 season.
Toronto Raptors
2023-24 Registration: 25-57
Out of the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, Toronto All-Star Scotty Barnes and his teammates Emmanuel Quigley, R.J. Barrett aims to play back around Jacob Boelt and Grady Dick. The cupboard is not empty. Despite their 9-32 record after the Pascal Siakam trade, we saw promising signs when Barnes, Quigley and Barrett shared the court. The Raptors could make some moves to free up cap space.
Utah Jazz
2023-24 Registration: 31-51
The top 31 picks for the 2024 draft could generate roughly $40 million dollars. For a young Jazz team with eight players under the age of 23, it's flexibility that needs more development. Led by All-Stars Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton, the players were solid, averaging 4.9 assists last season. Utah has shown restraint, and it's on the verge of paying off.
Washington Wizards
2023-24 Registration: 15-67
Once the Wizards settle on a coach, they can focus on what should be a long rebuilding process that requires patience. Although Washington had the fewest wins in franchise history last season, we still saw the development of players like Deny Avtija, rookie Bilal Koulibaly and Corey Gisbert. In his third season, he played over 74 games and averaged 13.4 points.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can email him HereFind his archive Here And follow him X.
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