NBA Preseason Insights: What We've Learned About Every Team

NBA Preseason Insights: What We've Learned About Every Team

The NBA regular season is nearly here, and the preseason has offered plenty of clues about where all 30 teams stand. This period is when franchises set their groundwork, discover their goals, and decide what might push them forward.

Starting strong in the NBA can set a team on a successful path all season long. We've seen surprising early wins spark momentum that carries through. So what are teams focusing on? What needs work? And how much faith should you place in your team? Here's what we've gathered so far.

Eastern Conference

• Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks aim to build on their post All-Star break surge from last year. Jalen Johnson’s growth is key—his calmness in half-court play and ability to find scoring spots is promising. Expanding his pull-up three-point shooting could force defenses to react more. Also, watch how Lu Dort and Dyson Daniels combine for defense, despite spacing concerns.
• Boston Celtics: Trading Jaylen Brown seems like Boston doubling down on fast actions and fluid ball movement. A healthy Jayson Tatum looks sharper, while Paul George's versatility and Boston’s active defense create pressure that opens offensive opportunities. The defense aggressively protects the paint, making penetration tough.
• Brooklyn Nets: Brooklyn continues its youth-focused rebuild. Mikel Brown Jr., Nolan Traoré, Egor Dëmin, Noah Clowney, and Day Ron Sharpe each bring hustle and evolving skills. Julius Randle’s half-court playmaking and drives have been effective, often finding Michael Porter Jr. for open shots. Randle’s nine assists in a half highlight his role in stabilizing the offense.
• Charlotte Hornets: Depth is Charlotte's strength, with players like Naz Reid and Brandon Miller showing promise driving to the basket. Moussa Diabate’s constant activity on both ends stands out. The challenge will be generating offense consistently in a league ready for their style.
• Chicago Bulls: The Bulls’ preseason has included intriguing personnel experiments. Tiago Splitter influences the offense with creative screens, opening lanes for Norman Powell and Caleb Wilson. Buddy Hield’s off-ball movement creates spacing, while Leonard Miller’s contributions add intrigue.
• Cleveland Cavaliers: Peyton Watson’s defense shines even if his shooting hasn’t yet. His switching and rotations ease defensive burdens. Offensively, the Cavs are increasing elbow plays involving Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, who’s also revisiting midrange shots. Larger lineups staggered with Mario Hezonja add size and versatility.

Western Conference

• Dallas Mavericks: Spacing and cutting dominate when Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving share court time. The Mavericks run plays on both sides, forcing defenses to cover multiple threats. They’re exploring smaller lineups to maximize wing depth.
• Denver Nuggets: Denver’s starting lineup reminds us why it’s potent. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić continue to impress, highlighted by a slick behind-the-back pass from Jokić. Aaron Gordon’s offensive progress remains valuable, Cam Johnson is more confident attacking, and DeMar DeRozan provides steady scoring off the bench.
• Detroit Pistons: Detroit has boosted shooting and focuses on fluid ball and player movement with pindowns, flares, and handoffs. Cade Cunningham’s presence demands defensive attention, allowing others to capitalize. Ausar Thompson shows confidence driving to his preferred spots.
• Golden State Warriors: Yaxel Lendeborg’s impact is clear; his drives and three-point shooting add a new layer. Hustle plays, like diving for loose balls, energize the Warriors. Defensive consistency remains a target as they lean on Stephen Curry and Draymond Green’s chemistry.
• Houston Rockets: Marcus Smart fits Houston’s needs well, easing Reed Sheppard’s playmaking load. Fred VanVleet’s return brings stability. The Rockets are pushing pace more, mixing quick offense with strategic ball movement. Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün’s decision-making will be important, alongside Kevin Durant’s enduring influence.
• Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton’s return restores flow and attack. Ivica Zubac impacts both ends, screening and rolling effectively. Defensively, how they use Zubac in coverage disguises will matter. Consistent rotations could propel this team forward.
• LA Clippers: Injuries have hampered the Clippers, but Darius Garland’s offense is promising. Defensive cohesion is less certain. Keaton Wagler’s ups and downs on offense and Brook Lopez’s surprising drives are worth noting.
• Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Dončić’s off-ball movement adds pressure before pick-and-rolls. Austin Reaves is more confident breaking down defenses. Sandro Mamukelashvili spaces the floor at 4 and 5 positions. Walker Kessler’s defensive timing and screen setting provide a boost. JJ Redick believes in this roster’s potential, especially defensively.
• Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis executes their offense naturally. Cameron Boozer’s versatility at 4 and 5 confuses defenses with post plays and flare actions. Ty Jerome’s decelerating stepback is becoming a fan favorite.
• Miami Heat: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ability to draw defense enhances Miami’s offense. His on-ball screens and rolling actions open space for shooters like Klay Thompson. Andrew Wiggins benefits from generated shots. How Miami mixes switches, drops, and zones will shape their defense.
• Milwaukee Bucks: Nearly half of Milwaukee’s shot attempts come from beyond the arc. Whether this is strategy or circumstance remains to be seen. The Bucks must learn to pressure opponents and create offense collectively. Brayden Burries’s aggression and Nate Ament’s energy (before injury) stand out. Coach Taylor Jenkins faces a challenge finding this team’s identity.
• Minnesota Timberwolves: The starting lineup’s chemistry is a highlight. LaMelo Ball’s quick passing adds a new dimension. Anthony Edwards thrives off-ball in various plays, reducing his ball-handling burden. Jaden McDaniels stays aggressive, and Jonathan Kuminga impresses defensively. This group may gel sooner than expected.
• New Orleans Pelicans: Talent is abundant, but cohesion is the question. Zion Williamson’s role must balance his strengths with team dynamics. Trey Murphy III’s potential is waiting to be fully tapped. Lineups show promise, but sustaining it through full games is uncertain.
• New York Knicks: The Knicks focus on movement and cutting to reestablish their base. Defensively, they reinforce principles from last season. Andre Drummond anchors the second unit, contributing solid defense and smart handoffs.
• Oklahoma City Thunder: Jalen Williams is back in form with aggressive drives and defense. Young players like Aday Mara and Jared McCain are ready to seize opportunities. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing more off-ball, opening space for sudden attacks and possibly elevating his passing.
• Orlando Magic: Orlando aims for quicker tempo and faster decisions. Early offense flows through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner working together. Guards dive into Stack pick-and-rolls, and wings set screens from corners. Younger players Tristan da Silva and Jase Richardson show growth. Defense will need to improve for sustained success.
• Philadelphia 76ers: The sample size is small, but LeBron James and Joel Embiid form a formidable half-court presence. LeBron’s playmaking at the elbow creates space for others like Tyrese Maxey to attack off-ball. Pace is up with fast breaks led by Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Jaylen Brown. Defense needs refinement around this core.
• Phoenix Suns: The Suns look to build on last season by involving Jalen Green more. His best moments come when moving with dribble handoffs and pass-and-cut plays, blending scoring and playmaking.
• Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard’s return fits smoothly. Off-ball usage lightens his load while maintaining threat in pick-and-rolls. Micah Nori experiments with guard combos involving Ja Morant, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson, all showing defensive effort and offensive skill. Three-guard lineups could be a frequent tactic.
• Sacramento Kings: Darius Acuff Jr. looks poised to score freely, aided by Domantas Sabonis’s screens and handoffs. Ben Simmons returns confident and agile, bringing midrange moves that remain effective.
• San Antonio Spurs: Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper’s trio sparks curiosity over simultaneous offensive elevation. Castle’s downhill drives and skip passes complement Fox’s drive to quiet Finals critics. Size options add variety. Victor Wembanyama shows impressive speed and skill, hinting at future growth.
• Toronto Raptors: Kawhi Leonard’s presence expands the Raptors’ options, especially off pindown and off-ball screens. Defensively, the Raptors apply intense pressure with Scottie Barnes and Leonard disrupting offenses. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett fulfill roles on both ends. Collin Murray-Boyles’s development as a 3-point shooter is one to watch.
• Utah Jazz: Coach Will Hardy empowers versatile young players offensively. Lauri Markkanen’s mobility helps spacing, while Keyonte George and Darryn Peterson form a growing chemistry. Jaren Jackson Jr. has room to be aggressive driving from outside. Starting the preseason with zone defense signals a willingness to shake things up.
• Washington Wizards: Trae Young and Anthony Davis have played with either defiance or carelessness, creating a unique pressure point for the Wizards. Young’s downhill drives and playmaking open up chances for teammates. AJ Dybantsa attacks relentlessly, while Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, and Bilal Coulibaly bring energy that lifts the younger group to contribute meaningfully.