24. Detroit Pistons
Perhaps this is a bit too high for the Detroit Pistons, but Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley are legitimately good additions, and JB Bickerstaff has proven to be a quality head coach.
If Cade Cunningham can take a leap this year, this Pistons squad has a real chance to sniff the Play-In Tournament. They have talented pieces. They just have to put it all together.
23. Atlanta Hawks
With Dejounte Murray gone, there’s a chance that Trae Young could thrive again as the lead guard, but this Atlanta Hawks team is as bad as it’s been in years.
Jalen Johnson could turn into a budding star, and Zaccharie Risacher will be fun to watch, but the Hawks probably won’t be a playoff team. It feels like a Young trade could come in the next calendar year.
22. Toronto Raptors
Jakob Poeltl said it himself: The Toronto Raptors aren’t chasing a championship this season. The core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley looks decent, but it’s not bringing home any banners anytime soon.
It’s still baffling that Toronto traded a first-rounder for Poeltl less than two years ago. It came back to bite them, and now, they’re looking at a full-time rebuild. (Or at least they should be.)
21. San Antonio Spurs
By the time the season is a month old, the San Antonio Spurs may have skyrocketed up these rankings. But for now, last year’s brutal season needs to be accounted for.
Victor Wembanyama is already a Top 20 player in the NBA, and Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes should help the Spurs win games, but for now, they can’t be above some potential playoff teams.
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