There will be a lot of hype and excitement surrounding the Southwest Division with Luka Doncic, the James Harden and John Wall tandem, and the continuous rise of Ja Morant and Zion Williamson alone.
Let's answer some compelling questions about the Mavericks, Rockets, Pelicans, Grizzlies, and Spurs.
DALLAS MAVERICKS: How far can Luka lead the Mavericks?
Luka Doncic had a sophomore season to remember for the Dallas Mavericks. After winning Rookie of the Year, he morphed into a superstar and an MVP contender. It is a no-brainer to assume that where Luka goes, the Mavericks follow. It will be interesting to see what Year 3 Luka will look like. Can he win the MVP award and push the Mavericks into a deep postseason run?
Last season, the Mavericks embarked on a historic offensive year. Led by Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavs’ offensive rating of 115.9 points per 100 possessions bested the previous record set by the 2018-2019 Golden State Warriors for having the most efficient offense in NBA history. Fast-forward to the upcoming season, the Mavs’ acquisitions centered around improving the team defensively. The departures of Seth Curry, Justin Jackson, Delon Wright, and Courtney Lee have made room for Josh Richardson, Trey Burke, and James Johnson. The added size and length will do wonders for Dallas especially on the defensive end. And given that Richardson and company have range to go with their defensive prowess, the Mavs are hoping that their offense won’t take a huge dip.
The Mavs have surrounded Luka with size and better defenders, without sacrificing too much on the offensive end. Still, the overall performance of Doncic in his third season will be the barometer for the Mavericks moving forward.
HOUSTON ROCKETS: How will John Wall fit with the Rockets?
One of the biggest offseason news in the NBA was the trade between Russell Westbrook and John Wall, whose arrival to Houston is about the Rockets’ new era as much as it is about his return to basketball.
The offseason for the Rockets has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. With the departures of head coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey, the Westbrook trade, and the James Harden trade rumors, the Rockets are in a tricky situation. And that’s why Wall’s acquisition will be the main storyline for the Rockets, barring a mega trade for Harden.
It’s easy to forget just how explosive and athletic Wall was after he sat out for a season and a half recovering from a heel injury and a ruptured Achilles. Nonetheless, his career averages of 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 9.2 assists speak for themselves. It will also be exciting to see Wall pair up with his former Kentucky teammate and newly signed Rocket DeMarcus Cousins.
Despite coming off a series of injuries, the five-time All-Star can still be a solid contributor for a team that’s searching for a new identity. An experienced and hungry-to-get-back Wall might just be the perfect player to revitalize the Rockets.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Can the Grizzlies continue to climb?
The Memphis Grizzlies missed out on last year’s playoffs in heartbreaking fashion, losing to the Portland Trailblazers in a play-in game. Despite the disappointing end, the Grizzlies still managed to accumulate 34 wins with rookie sensation Ja Morant at the forefront. This year, Grizzlies have their eyes set on entering the postseason.
However, the race to the playoffs will be harder than ever in the West as several teams got better in the offseason. The likes of the Nuggets, Jazz, Mavericks, and Lakers have reloaded in the hopes of coming out on top. The Grizzlies will have to rely on their young explosive core, which is expected to show growth as the season progresses.
Aside from Morant, Memphis’ other promising standouts include Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke, and Tyus Jones. These players are young, athletic, and can do multiple things on the court. The Grizzlies are also waiting on Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Justise Winslow (hip) who are still recovering from their injuries. If these young Grizzlies grow and develop throughout the season, they have a strong chance to be a playoff contender. If it ends up in a tight playoff race, Memphis can rely on the new set of play-in games towards the end of the season.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: How will the new-look Pelicans fare?
Pelican fans have a lot to be excited about -- a new coach, new players, and of course, the second season of Zion Williamson. The uber-athletic forward will be back for his sophomore year, after a season marred with injuries and minute restrictions. He showed incredible promise in the limited time he saw on the court. If he can stay healthy throughout the season, there’s no ceiling to what he can do.
Zion may get all the hype, but newly appointed coach Stan Van Gundy has the experience and tactical leadership that can be the difference for the Pelicans this season. Fortunately for the veteran mentor, he also has all the tools at his disposal to form a very competitive team.
Despite the departures of Jrue Holiday, E’Twaun Moore, and Derrick Favors, the Pelicans have revamped with Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, and Willy Hernangomez. The additions will complement the upstart group of Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram. The team has a solid mix of youth and athleticism and doesn’t lack in veteran leadership with Adams, Bledsoe, and gunner JJ Redick.
There are a lot of new elements for the Pelicans, but if all their pieces can come together seamlessly, a postseason berth won’t be out of the question.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Will the Spurs make a return to the playoffs?
The San Antonio Spurs failed to enter the playoffs last season, which was the first time in over two decades. This year, the storied franchise will look to rekindle its former glory. It is a daunting task, to say the least, as almost all teams in the Western Conference have retooled their rosters. But if history has told us anything about the Spurs, it’s that you can never fully count out a Greg Poppovich-led squad.
The Spurs didn’t acquire big names or do anything too drastic during free agency, but they did make a few roster tweaks. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldrige are still San Antonio’s one-two punch, but there is also a focus on the team’s young guns. Potent backcourt duo Dejounte Murray and Derrick White will lead the charge, and youngsters such as Lonnie Walker IV and Keldon Johnson can establish themselves this season. The departure of Bryn Forbes and Marco Belinelli will hurt the Spurs’ outside shooting, but could give them more flexibility on defense. From the recent draft, the Spurs picked up Devin Vassell out of Florida State and Tre Jones from Duke. Those players come from well-established college programs and have the potential to contribute on the floor immediately.
The road back to playoff contention will be long and arduous, but being a dark horse isn’t a new thing for the Spurs. They like to operate quietly, away from the fanfare, and surprise people in the end. At the end of the day, a team coached by Gregg Poppovich is still a very dangerous team
