Way Too Early Season Preview: Central

[The Athletic]

Milwaukee Bucks 

PG Jeremy Lin
SG Norman Powell
SF Giannis Antetokounmpo
PF Kristaps Porzingis
C Javale McGee
UTL Seth Curry
UTL Joe Ingles
Key Bench – Kyle Korver

Borderline Pretender

Giannis and Kristaps may be the most exciting young duo in the league but with Porzingis coming off a torn ACL and not much depth behind the two, the Bucks are certainly in for an interesting season. They just signed Joe Ingles to a solid 3 year $33M deal and are in a prime position to add depth throughout free agency. The Jeremy Lin signing was necessary even at almost 10M, Lin should provide stability throughout the year. The Bucks will need to hang on tight while Porzingis is hurt but can hopefully coast in the east when he is fully healthy. Powell, Curry and Korver should all make an impact and the Bucks should make another run for the postseason.

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Chicago Bulls 

PG Lou Williams
SG Justin Holiday
SF Robert Covington
PF Lamarcus Aldridge
C Demarcus Cousins
UTL Tobias Harris
UTL Brandon Knight
Key Bench – Mike Muscala
Championship Contender

Charlie has built another strong veteran team but this time around he has an injured Demarcus Cousins on a stacked Warriors team. Cousins should be back around January and this team will be able to hold their own in the east without him. Lou, LMA and Tobias are some solid pieces and can go off on any given night. Brandon Knight could be a sneaky good asset this year as he is in the driver’s seat to be the starting point guard for the Suns. If Brandon Knight ends up being a solid starting PG and Dcous shows he is healthy by playoff time, then Charlie and the Bulls are in prime position to go back to the Finals.

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Cleveland Cavaliers 

PG Jamal Murray
SG JJ Reddick
SF Justise Winslow
PF Jaren Jackson Jr
C Nikola Jokic
UTL Jakob Poeltl
UTL Andre Roberson
Key Bench – Michael Porter Jr/Mitchell Robinson/Aaron Holiday

Borderline Pretender

The Kyrie Irving trade may sting a little right now for Jon and the Cavs but it had to be done. Kyrie isn’t the greatest player in this format and was due to become a UFA. Jaren Jackson has shown the potential to be great in here as a double double and blocks guy. Jamal Murray and Winslow should both take steps forward as young building pieces and Poeltl just got a major bump in minutes after being traded to San Antonio. Of course this team is built around Nikola Jokic who is in for another monster year. To round out their four rookies, one of MPJ, Mitchell Robinson or Aaron Holiday could have an impact on this year’s success.

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Detroit Pistons 

PG Zach Lavine
SG Bojan Bogdanovic
SF Kawhi Leonard
PF Kevin Love
C
UTL Darren Collison
UTL Mikal Bridges
Key Bench – Reggie Bullock

Pretender

The Pistons have really fallen off these past few years. There is no Center on this team and the depth just is not there right now. Kawhi is in one of the most interesting players in the league this year as he is now a member of the Toronto Raptors. He should put up some monster stats as he has in the past but who really knows what is going to happen this year. Will the injury bug strike him again? Will he even want to suit up in Toronto? With all of this Kawhi drama, Mr. Kevin Love awaits, after striking a huge deal with the Cavaliers; K-Love should be the focal point of the LeBron-less Cavs. K-Love will be the first option and is in prime position to put up some monster stat lines like he once did while on the Timberwolves. After the two headed monster of Kawhi and K-Love, there is a drop off leading to Zach Lavine, Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic. Lavine cashed in on an affordable deal but has to prove he can be more than just a scorer. Collison will have to fight off the fourth Holiday and Bogdanovic is going to have to split some time with Doug McBuckets now. All in all, this Pistons team isn’t in the greatest of shape but do have two franchise pieces to set a foundation.

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Indiana Pacers 

PG Dennis Smith Jr.
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Mario Hezonja
PF Julius Randle
C Andre Drummond
UTL Steven Adams
UTL Juancho Hernangomez
Key Bench – Bismack Biyombo/Kevin Huerter

Playoff Contender

Jon may have just about done something this year with his Pacers.  We've liked just about every move the Pacers have made this year, and wouldn't be surprised if this team makes a deep push.  The key really is going to come down to a couple things.  The first is Andre Drummond's continued development under Dwayne Casey.  Drummond was a monster last year, there is no denying that, but will be be given the same freedom under Dwayne Casey?  My guess, is yes, but it's still something to monitor.  The next is going to be Julius Randle's transition to New Orleans.  While he got plenty of time in LA last year, there was always some uncertainty about his role and status with the team moving forward.  This year, he should have the ability to start and just ball.  Mirotic being there maybe slightly tugs at his value but we're not really worried, Randle should ball out.  Lastly, DSJ.  DSJ had a good rookie season all things considered.  He's going to have to take another step with Dallas this year.  He's gotta be more efficient scoring wise, and take care of the ball a little better, but the guy is so young and really has all the talent in the world.  This Pacers team is young fun and full of promise, not sure if they are a title contender yet, but they are pretty damn close.  Bulls Pacers for the division should be fun this year.