Ah, the NBA is finally back! Basketball fans didn’t have as deep of a drought from basketball content this year thanks to the Olympics, but the wait for the NBA is almost over. Preseason is here, and we are stoked for the return! With fresh faces, rising stars, and new rosters across the league, get an early peak into the upcoming NBA season.
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It’s preseason, so you never really know what you’ll get, but since it’s early, we expect to see a good amount of both teams. This match-up between the Spurs and Thunder could be a great game. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing Wemby or SGA out there tonight. However, we may get to see Stephon Castle. The former UConn Husky was a highly touted prospect with some flashes in the NBA summer league. Even though his time playing at the summer league was brief, we think this guy could have a big impact in year one. Most likely playing behind Chris Paul to start, the 6’6 PG has a deep bag of tools we’ll likely see in this game.
The injury report for OKC is a bit more disappointing. We didn’t expect to see SGA; he’s out for rest this game, but we’ll also miss Lu Dort, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrick Williams. That still leaves us plenty of talent to enjoy on this roster. Chet Holmgren will likely see a little action alongside newcomers Dillon Jones and Isaiah Hartenstein. Unfortunately, we won’t see OKC’s 12th pick from the draft this year either, Nikola Topic suffered an ACL tear that needed season-ending surgery. Regardless, these two teams are loaded with young talent who will get their first taste of NBA basketball; it will be a good watch.
We’ll just stack OKC games here because that roster may be the deepest in the league this year. It doesn’t really matter if we’re not going to see many of their starters; their bench is full of impressive young talent. Guys like Carson Wallace, Jalen Williams, and Aaron Wiggins can all be spectacular. Especially against this other young, explosive roster, this game should be a great showing of high-level talent under 25.
Houston will be a must-watch team this year. They are stacked to the gills with talent, which may be problematic. They have so many guys worth giving minutes to that it will take a lot of work to decide who gets minutes. That’s why these preseason games might be some of the most important. We’ll likely see who will win the early season starting minutes. If that’s not enough reason to watch, guys like Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore are almost guaranteed to have some highlight plays in a game like this! We have this one circled on the calendar.
We like this game solely for the mystery factor it brings. The Bulls have finally made changes to go younger, adding Josh Giddey through trade and Matas Buzelis through the draft. With Demar DeRozan departing in the off-season, this team will likely have low expectations for the season. That doesn’t mean this can’t be a good matchup. With the new faces mentioned above integrating next to Coby White, Patrick Williams, and Ayo Dosunmu, we’re very likely seeing the beginning of a new era in Chicago basketball.
Memphis is on the other end of the spectrum in terms of expectations. After a year from hell last year, plagued by suspensions and injury, they’re looking to make a deep run in the playoffs this year. Ja Morant will finally return next to Jaren Jackson Jr., who is now the second-tallest player on the team behind absolute behemoth Zach Edey. The 9th pick in the draft has a big role to fill as we’ll see the 7’5 center fill in behind the former defensive player of the year JJJ. People may have forgotten how devastating this group was, but that won’t be the case for long now that they are back to full strength!
The Kings may have stalled out last season going into the playoffs, but they still have an elite roster that only got better in the off-season. Adding Demar DeRozan gives this team a different look and feel. This team feels ripe to make a push this season and have a standout year in a competitive Western Conference. Going into year three of this core group of De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray, they seem ready. Unfortunately, their 13 pick in the draft, Devin Carter, is already down for the count, suffering a torn labrum. Carter could find his way back on the court this season but is expected to miss at least the first three months.
The Trail Blazers are all but destined to be the worst team in the Western Conference this year. That doesn’t mean they’ll be a bad watch by any means. Donovan Clingan, the number #7 pick in the draft, will likely have a prominent role in these preseason games. The big man from UConn is an absolute beast on the defensive end and is a more than capable dunker standing at 7’2. Beyond Clingan, Scoot, Henderson will have a lot to prove, alongside newcomer Deni Avdija, who came to Portland from the Wizards. However, the most exciting part of this game will probably be the brother versus brother battle, with Keegan Murray taking on this twin brother, Kris Murray. Kris Murray struggled to find time last year but will likely see an increased role, especially in the preseason. If nothing else, watching the Murray brothers battle it out is enough to make this game watchable!