5 New NBA Playoff Contenders

In the 2022-2023 NBA season, we witnessed some notable changes, with teams either entering or re-entering the playoffs, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Sacramento Kings.

Over the past year, the trajectories of several teams have been altered. Some experienced significant trades, including Bradley Beal moving to the Phoenix Suns, Damian Lillard joining the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jrue Holiday heading to the Boston Celtics.

For certain teams, their destinies have shifted through the process of scouting and drafting young talent, as is the case with the San Antonio Spurs, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Although it wasn't the most stellar free agency class, a few teams managed to strengthen their rosters through free agency, exemplified by the Houston Rockets signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Moreover, there might be more transactions in the works.


Considering all these factors, some teams are poised to appear significantly different compared to the previous season. They have made strategic moves and developed their players enough to potentially make a splash in the playoffs. Let's now explore some NBA teams that have the potential to surprise fans worldwide.

Orlando Magic

Orlando has been in a postseason drought for several years, with their glory days becoming a distant memory since Dwight Howard's departure. However, the team finally appears to be building a promising core. This transformation begins with the 2022 first overall pick, Paolo Banchero, who earned the Rookie of the Year honours after posting impressive averages of 20 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Despite his youth, Banchero shows immense potential and is poised to take the league by storm when the 2023-24 season commences.


Franz Wagner, although sometimes overlooked, is another bright spot. He earned a spot on the All-Rookie First Team a year earlier, boasting an average of 18.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 3.5 APG. Wagner's three-point shooting skills and all-around contributions make him a solid second option for Orlando. Furthermore, the Magic have a crowded backcourt with a mix of young talents and experienced guards, which suggests that the team is well-positioned for a future breakthrough.


In the last season, they managed to finish with a 34-48 record and placed 13th in the Eastern Conference. With the potential for player development and growth, including Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, and Jalen Suggs, the Magic could be on the cusp of significant improvement. Even if only a few of these young talents reach their potential, the team could surpass the .500 mark, making them strong contenders for a play-in spot.

OKC Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are primed for an exciting season with a lineup loaded with size and playmaking abilities. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, standing at 6'6", solidified his status as an NBA star with a First Team All-NBA selection in the 2022-23 season and a consistent 5.7 APG over the past three years. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old sensation, Josh Giddey, boasts an impressive career average of 6.3 APG. Additionally, 22-year-old Jalen Williams, at 6'6", displayed his playmaking prowess, averaging 4.1 assists from February 1 to the end of his rookie season. This trio could make the Thunder one of the NBA's most dynamic and unpredictable offenses.




The Thunder already made the play-in tournament last year, surmounting all expectations. They managed to do this without potentially their biggest asset in Chet Holmgren. Chet has a unique skill set for his 7'1 frame. Back at Gonzaga, Chet averaged 14.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, as well as 3.7 BPG. He managed to do all this while shooting 60.7% from the field and 39.0% from three. We haven't even seen Chet in the NBA regular season, so who knows what his potential could be.


The Oklahoma City Thunder are a team on the cusp of a resurgence. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, the Thunder are building a solid core to compete in the Western Conference. Players like Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams have already demonstrated their abilities, and Chet Holmgren's potential adds another exciting dimension to the team. Despite the challenging rebuild, the Thunder are poised to make a push for a playoff spot this season.

Utah Jazz

Many had pegged the Utah Jazz as the worst team in the NBA and believed they were the likely landing destination for Victor Wembanyama before the start of the season. Who could blame them? They had just traded away their two best players, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. However, they surprised everyone with their surprising competitiveness. A significant factor in their success was their young head coach, Will Hardy, who adapted his strategies to the players' strengths and emerged as a Coach of the Year contender.

Lauri Markkanen, a former lottery pick, had a breakout season and was named the Most Improved Player, averaging 25.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG. The team also unearthed a defensive force in Walker Kessler, who, as the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, impressed with his rim protection, averaging 2.3 BPG. He also finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.



Additionally, the Jazz have a group of young players with high potential, including Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh—all selected in the first round of this year's draft. Building on their success with Markkanen, the Jazz took another gamble by acquiring John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks, potentially setting the stage for an exciting 2023-24 season if Collins lives up to his potential.

Indiana Pacers

When the Indiana Pacers traded Domantas Sabonis, it felt like the end of their sole path to contention. However, the return they received marked the beginning of the next chapter in the legacy of Pacers greatness. In the trade, they acquired an incredibly talented guard in Tyrese Haliburton. He earned his first All-Star selection last season, posting impressive averages of 20.7 PPG and 10.4 APG, while shooting an impressive 40% from three-point range. Also included in the deal was Buddy Hield, widely regarded as one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 16.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 1.2 SPG, all while shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc.



Despite being a frequent subject of trade rumors, Myles Turner remains with the Pacers and is arguably playing at the peak of his career. Although his shot-blocking numbers dipped slightly to 2.3 BPG last season, he achieved personal bests in points with 18 PPG, rebounds with 7.5 RPG, and a field goal percentage of 54.8%.


Benedict Mathurin, primarily coming off the bench, managed to secure fourth place in the Rookie of the Year voting. He averaged 16.7 PPG and set a rookie record for three-pointers made by a Pacer, although his three-point shooting percentage at 32.3% could use some improvement. If he can enhance his accuracy from beyond the arc, combined with his exceptional athleticism, he could become a dangerous scoring threat.


The team also boasts some intriguing young players, including draftee Jarace Walker, Andrew Nembhard, and Jalen Smith. In free agency, the franchise made a significant move by acquiring Bruce Brown from the defending champions. While Brown may not be a game-changer in terms of championship contention, he's the type of player who can help Indiana make strides in the playoffs and potentially surprise in the 2023-24 season.

Houston Rockets

Heading into the offseason, the Houston Rockets seemed to be a few years away from re-entering the playoff race. However, the team made a series of win-now moves that could potentially propel them into the postseason this year.

One of their most significant moves was appointing Ime Udoka as the head coach. Udoka played a pivotal role in guiding young stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to the NBA Finals just 13 months ago. Now, he takes the helm in Houston. While his tenure in Boston ended on a sour note, from a coaching perspective, he appears to be the ideal choice to lead the Rockets.

The Rockets were aggressive in free agency, securing the signings of Dillon Brooks from Memphis and Fred VanVleet from Toronto. VanVleet steps directly into the starting point guard role, bringing with him a champion's mindset, three-point shooting proficiency, and strong playmaking abilities. Brooks will assume the small forward position. Although his intensity can be challenging to handle at times, he possesses grit, a never-back-down attitude, and excellent defensive skills.



Much of their projected success hinges on the development of their young players, particularly Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. In the previous season, Jalen Green took a significant step forward compared to his rookie campaign, increasing his scoring from 17.3 PPG to 22.1 PPG. However, his field goal efficiency will need to improve, as 41.6%. He must take smarter shots to contribute to his team's success. Jabari Smith Jr. is a promising stretch four who has shown real signs of development. During this year's preseason, he averaged 16.25 PPG and 7.5 RPG, with shooting percentages of 53.6% from the field, 53.3% from three, and 84.6% from the free-throw line. If this becomes his new standard, the Rockets may have found their long-term third scoring option.



Just when you thought the Rockets were finished, in the 2023 NBA draft, they picked up two highly talented rookies. With the 4th pick, they selected Amen Thompson, likely the long-term replacement for VanVleet. Amen is hyper-athletic, an excellent passer, and a great defender. Later, at the 20th pick, the Rockets landed a steal in Cam Whitmore, a highly versatile wing with significant upside and exceptional athleticism, providing some jaw-dropping highlight dunks.



Rockets GM Rafael Stone has been making impactful moves since the start of his tenure in 2020. This season, he displayed hyper-aggressiveness in free agency to secure the veterans that new head coach Ime Udoka desired. Stone has also gradually accumulated a substantial amount of draft capital by dismantling the James Harden-era team. He's selected numerous promising young talents that could lay the foundation for the Rockets to be perennial playoff contenders in the years to come.

Credits:
FanSided