Way Too Early Season Preview: Southeast

[The Athletic]

Atlanta Hawks 

PG Damian Lillard
SG James Harden
SF Jacob Evans
PF Montrezl Harrell
C Cody Zeller
UTL Joe Harris
UTL Tyler Johnson
Key Bench – Wes Matthews

Playoff Contender

Trey has built such a Trey team; there isn’t any other way to describe it. Headlined by two bonafide studs in Dame and Harden, there are not much else to get excited about. Sure Lillard and Harden will put up some crazy stat lines but once again, depth wins championships and Trey doesn’t have it. Joe Harris and Harrell are two great young pieces to have but this roster needs an upgrade at SF. Zeller has the potential to start but is in a tough position battle with Biyombo and Hernangomez. Trey has the two studs, let’s see if he can build a solid supporting cast to secure that so highly coveted playoff berth.

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Orlando Magic 

PG Patty Mills
SG Evan Fournier
SF Jonathan Isaac
PF Jayson Tatum
C Myles Turner
UTL Enes Kanter
UTL Miles Bridges
Key Bench – Frank Jackson/Justin Patton

Borderline Pretender

Perry still has an exciting young team and can only hope for more progression. I think we can all agree that Jayson Tatum is a stud and will only get better. I’m excited to see what Jonathan Isaac has to offer following an injury riddled rookie campaign. Myles Turner was a huge disappointment but I still have faith in him to show out, this once again could be his breakout year. Kanter is a great player in this league and can put up some huge numbers while Porzingis sits out. I’m intrigued by Frank Jackson, he has Elfrid Payton in front of him and New Orleans has shown they have some faith in him. He did have another injury but should at least get some run this year. The Magic are looking to improve on their below .500 record last year and with their young developing core that should be a very attainable goal.

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Charolette Hornets 

PG Lonzo Ball
SG Dion Waiters
SF Brandon Ingram
PF Marvin Williams
C John Collins
UTL Evan Turner
UTL Justin Jackson
Key Bench – Dragan Bender

Pretender

This seems to be another developmental year for Keanan and the Hornets. I am a huge fan of their young duo in Lonzo and John Collins though. Both of these guys should be in for a vastly improved sophomore campaign. I also can’t forget about Brandon Ingram. The kid has game and now has the best mentor in the game. Outside of the trio of youngsters, the Hornets aren’t as exciting. Waiters has shown promise in the past but is coming off an injury. Marvin Williams is a proven veteran. Justin Jackson and Dragan Bender are both young and still have the potential to improve but do not have clear paths for minutes. I like what Keanan has done sticking with his young talent but this year will be all about player development.

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Washington Wizards 

PG Isaiah Thomas
SG Allen Crabbe
SF Otto Porter
PF Dario Saric
C Bam Adebayo
UTL Jonas Valanciunas
UTL Dennis Schroder
Key Bench – Reggie Jackson/Michael Beasley
Playoff Contender

The Wizards have some solid pieces but no real superstar on the squad. Regardless, this team is a playoff contender because of depth. IT, Porter, Saric, Bam, Jonas and Schroder are all more than capable of piling up points. There aren’t many deeper teams than the Wizards but that one superstar piece is missing. Maybe one of these guys can blossom into stardom but we’ll have to sit back and wait for that. After trading away Dwight for two solid players in Schroder and Crabbe, the Wizards certainly have the pieces to make the playoffs again. Let’s see if they can make a deep run this time around.

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Miami Heat 

PG De’Aaron Fox
SG Lonnie Walker
SF Jeff Green
PF Marvin Bagley
C Deandre Ayton
UTL Harry Giles
UTL Jordan Bell
Key Bench – Trey Burke/Thon Maker

Pretender

The tank job worked and Bryan was awarded Deandre Ayton. He also cashed in on Marvin Bagley to pair him up with fellow front court mate Harry Giles. This Heat team is oozing with potential but this seems to be more of a wait and see approach this year. Fox showed signs of brilliance in his rookie year and should only get more run for a young Kings team. Bagley and Giles look to be the most talented big men on the Kings roster and should put up some very solid numbers in their rookie years. Ayton is in line to put up some enormous stat lines throughout the year. Another important piece for this team is Jordan Bell. He’ll get some huge minutes to start the year without Cousins and is a defensive stat padding machine. The process in Miami is finally starting to unfold and this could be the start of something special.