2019-2020 NBA Preview and Predictions – Southwest Division
The Southwest Division had just 2 teams make the Playoffs last season, which was tied for 2nd least. There was a lot of player movement this offseason for these teams, so this upcoming year might be better. Here is what we have to look forward to.
Memphis Grizzlies
The days of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are over in Memphis. This team is clearly in rebuild mode, with 4 of their 5 projected starters 27 or younger. They did snag Ja Morant with the #2 pick in the draft, the dynamic point guard out of Murray State. They will definitely take their lumps this season, but they will be exciting to watch at least. Might be a last place finish though.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans might be the biggest question mark of the entire NBA…this team rolled over about 90% of their roster from last season. They lost all-world Anthony Davis (Lakers), but they did land Zion Williamson with the 1st pick in the NBA Draft this past summer. By all accounts, he has the potential to be a franchise-changing player. They also landed 3 former Lakers (Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, & Josh Hart), along with Derrick Favors and J.J. Redick. This core, along with Jrue Holiday, has the making to be a great team in a few years. But will it be this year? Perhaps not. With Zion out for the first 6-8 weeks of the season, might be a rough start. I see them contending for a Playoff spot though.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have missed the Playoffs the last 3 seasons, but may be one of the more improved teams coming into 2019. Luka Doncic is the reigning Rookie of the Year, dynamic star Kristaps Porzingis is back after almost 2 years off (knee injury), and Tim Hardaway, Jr. has shown signs of being a legit #3. They also signed 4 free agents (Seth Curry, Delon Wright, Maxi Kleber, and big fella Boban Marjanovic), all capable of making an impact. If Porzingis is back to full-strength and they get some production from their role players, this team could compete for a Playoff spot.
San Antonio Spurs
Like most years, the Spurs are coming back with basically the exact team as last season. With the exception of adding DeMarre Carroll and Trey Lyles, it’s the same ol’ Spurs…which is not a bad thing. The Spurs have made the Playoffs every season since 1997, and with LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, and a slew of solid role players, no reason to think Gregg Popovich won’t lead them there again.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets won the Southeast last season, and have made some nice (albeit disappointing) Playoff runs the last couple seasons. They did make a splash this offseason by making a blockbuster trade, acquiring triple-double machine Russell Westbrook from the Thunder in exchange for Chris Paul. The rest of their team remains the same, with solid role players including Clint Capela and Eric Gordon. The interesting dynamic will be how well Russell Westbrook and MVP James Harden are able to co-exist. Both are bonafide stars, but both are used to having the ball in their hands. A lot. In theory this trade makes them better, but will see how they can handle sharing the ball.
Of all the Divisions in the NBA, I think this might be the easiest prediction. There are a few Playoff teams in the bunch, but none of them have a duo quite like James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Southwest Division Winner – Houston Rockets.
Now, tell me what you think!!!
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