15. Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets clinched the sixth seed behind first-time All-Star D’Angelo Russell, who departed for the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal involving Kevin Durant.
For the Nets, it stings to see Russell go after his best season, but the front office acquired an upgrade in Kyrie Irving, who’s a more efficient scorer. He may have a questionable demeanor, but the six-time All-Star averages 22.2 points, shooting 47 percent from the field and 39 percent beyond the arc.
Durant will miss the entire 2018-19 campaign, but Irving will share the floor with emerging talents like Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen alongside 11-year veteran DeAndre Jordan. The Nets are still a playoff team; they’ll become title contenders with Durant back in 2020.
14. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks will have an intriguing duo on the court with Kristaps Porzingis and 2018-19 Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic. The 7’4″ big man suffered a torn ACL in February, but team governor Mark Cuban expects him to return on a managed load in the upcoming season.
Although Porzingis has missed 60 games in three years, he’s a special talent because of his production on both ends of the court and ability to knock down shots behind the three-point line. If Delon Wright picks up where he left off with Memphis last year and Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to knock down the three-ball, the Mavericks may sneak up on teams out West.
13. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have a new star player in town, acquiring Butler via sign-and-trade. After sending Hassan Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers, the team may see the full rise of Bam Adebayo who was stuck in a minutes share with the departed big man.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra has done a good job keeping this team competitive after the club’s championship runs with James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Now, he has an All-Star caliber talent, a serviceable veteran in Goran Dragic and two high-upside players with Justise Winslow and Adebayo primed to see big minutes.