Now that the National Basketball Association (NBA) preseason is underway, teams across the league are evaluating their rosters and strategies in anticipation of the highly competitive regular season. Players are returning from injury, but players are still contending with COVID health complications. Because of this, coaches are in the difficult position of making decisions that will heavily affect team dynamics. Let’s look at a few major offseason storylines from the league’s would-be title challengers to get an idea of what to expect from the 2023-24 season.
Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green are at the forefront of discussions about the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup. As head coach Steve Kerr remarked, this was an opportunity to test various combinations while figuring out what’s best for the starting five. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks are dealing with damning injuries. Such deficiencies have the potential to derail their play right out of the gate on a short 2023 season.
Injury Concerns for Key Players
The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to open the season without Darius Garland. Now he’s in rehab following surgery to repair a turf toe that limited him for much of the offseason. His absence creates a sizable hole in the team’s backcourt that they’ll need time to adjust for. The Cavaliers have intentions of being a thorn in the playoff picture, but understand that getting Garland back is the best path to success for them.
Max Strus will likely be sidelined for a few months due to a Jones fracture in his left foot. This injury could significantly affect the Miami Heat’s depth, as they look to integrate new players into their system while coping with Strus’s absence.
In Atlanta, De’Andre Hunter has his own historical injury factors working against him. Hunter’s previous high for games played in a season is 67. He’s missed at least 25 games each of three of his first six seasons, making his health a key component in the Hawks’ pursuit for more consistent performances. Atlanta Hawks head coach Quinn Snyder preached the importance of dependability from every player up and down the roster, particularly those in the featured spots.
“These are the cards we were dealt.” – JJ Redick
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid has been practicing every day up until this point, and he’s likely to go in the 76ers’ preseason finale on Friday. His continued health will be as important for Philadelphia as they ready themselves for what should be another strong season. On the flip side, Moses Moody’s left calf strain is worrisome for the Warriors. His status is unclear as the regular season nears.
Emerging Talents and Veteran Leadership
At a time when teams are still shuffling through their rosters, young players continue to rise to the occasion to make waves. Outside of Bochamp, fellow rookie Jalen Johnson has already emerged as a potential playmaker in his first two preseason games back from left shoulder surgery. A strong performance may go a long way to staking his claim to a place in the Atlanta Hawks’ regular rotation.
The Dallas Mavericks, who pick fifth, have similarly high hopes and expectations of 18-year-old Cooper Flagg, a primary offensive initiator as a forward. Despite his youth, the Mavericks are going to need him to adjust quickly to the pros. His effectiveness will be key in jumpstarting their overall offensive explosion.
On one hand, veteran presence is still extremely important on the court — just ask the Los Angeles Lakers. The best player in the world has been reduced to cheerleader status during scrimmages with right side sciatica affecting his entire right flank. Though he is still an important leader, it will be his physical readiness that will decide quite how much of an impact he can have on the court.
Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets are preparing for a matchup against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21. The Rockets expect Durant’s experience to lead their offense as they navigate through a challenging season.
“If Al were a little younger, he’d be in the starting lineup for sure.” – Steve Kerr
Veteran players like Durant and James will play essential roles as they guide younger talent through the challenges of an 82-game season.
Team Dynamics and Strategies
Coaches are still working to figure out team strategies as they test out new lineups and player roles. Jason Kidd, head coach of the Mavericks, mentioned that they will “continue to look at different combinations to see what gives us the best way to start the game.” This move is indicative of a larger trend throughout the league as teams are adjusting with the league and recalibrating their focus.
The Los Angeles Clippers, boasting one of the league’s oldest yet deepest rosters, will similarly focus on finding effective combinations to maximize performance. Their older players need to stay healthy in order to be able to compete at a high level over the course of the long season.
The Brooklyn Nets enter a murky waters relating to their own roster building. D’Angelo Russell would likely slide into the starting lineup alongside Klay Thompson. That reality puts enormous pressure on coach Steve Kerr to limit his options and demands fast, creative solutions.
“I would have cut my right hand off to win a championship.” – Jalen Williams
As squads gear up for another intense and odd NBA season, each team has their own hurdles to overcome while looking to build a future championship franchise. From injury mitigation to player profit-sharing, coaches and players are both admittedly hustling trying to make a way forward.
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