NBA, guide to the Southeast Division: from Miami to Washington, the preview

The favorites for the Southeast Division are still them, the Miami Heat. Butler and his teammates set off again without major reinforcements but with the same solidity as always. And with the ambition of hurting even the top of the class. Trae Young’s Hawks, after having tasted the conference finals in 2021, will try to win at least one series, while the Washington Wizards start from scratch (or almost). Magic and Hornets rely on Paolo Banchero and LaMelo Ball to grow and perhaps cause trouble in the play-in area.

THE QUINTET

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Lowry, Herro, Butler, Love, Adebayo.

THE STAR

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In his fifth season in Miami, Butler starts again with the same desire to amaze. Perfectly inserted into the “Heat Culture”, he will be the man that coach Spoelstra will hold on to in key moments.

MAIN RESERVATIONS

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Caleb Martin, Richardson, Jovic, Jaquez, Bryant.

TRAINER

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Erik Spoelstra (confirmed).

OBJECTIVE

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Conference finals.

BECAUSE YOU CAN

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As long as Spoelstra and Butler are in Miami, the Heat can hurt anyone. They already demonstrated it a year ago, sending home the most highly rated Milwaukee and Boston. This year will be tougher, but Miami should never be underestimated.

WHY NOT

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Because Damian Lillard will wear the Bucks shirt and not the Heat one. The failed trade for the former Portland player leaves Miami empty-handed and strengthens its rivals (including the Celtics, who took the opportunity to add Jrue Holiday). In short, the big teams in the East did not stand by and watch, while the Heat have changed little and have actually said goodbye to Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, integral parts of the quintet that reached the last Finals. Imagining repeating that ride seems difficult.

THE QUINTET

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Young, Murray, Hunter, Bey, Capela.

THE STAR

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Trae Young remains the key man in the Hawks home. The point guard born in 1998 begins his sixth season in the NBA and will once again have the keys to the attack in his hands.

MAIN RESERVATIONS

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Bogdanovic, Okongwu, Mills, Johnson, Griffin.

TRAINER

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Quin Snyder (confirmed).

BECAUSE YOU CAN

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Atlanta has kept the structure of the roster almost intact, which last year entered the playoffs in seventh place, passing through the Play-In. With Quin Snyder on the bench since the beginning of the year, the goal is well within reach.

With John Collins sold, the Hawks will have to find a new structure and it is not certain that they will succeed quickly. And going through the Play-in can reserve nasty surprises: there are many teams looking for a place.

THE QUINTET

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Fultz, Harris, F. Wagner, Banchero, Carter Jr.

THE STAR

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The spotlight is on Paolo Banchero. Disappointed by the World Cup, he will have to show signs of growth after the Rookie of the Year award: the future of the Magic also depends on him. Also watch out for Franz Wagner, who still doesn’t seem to have exhausted his growth.

MAIN RESERVATIONS

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Suggs, Anthony, Ingles, M. Wagner.

TRAINER

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Jamahl Mosley (confirmed).

Last season ended with 6 wins less than the Bulls, holders of the last ticket to the Play-in. With an extra year of experience, the Magic can remain in the running for a spot in the mini-tournament until the very end.

WHY NOT

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“We don’t want to skip steps”: coach Mosley was clear. The franchise’s priority remains player development and building a foundation for the future, even before the playoffs. Banchero and his teammates will have the opportunity to make mistakes (and lose) without too much pressure.

THE QUINTET

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Ball, Rozier, Hayward, Washington, Williams.

THE STAR

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Only 36 games for LaMelo Ball last year, but the five-year, 260 million dollar renewal is clear: the Hornets rely on him. The talent is there, now he must find continuity.

MAIN RESERVATIONS

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Miller, Bridges, Martin, Sumner.

TRAINER

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Steve Clifford (confirmed).

BECAUSE YOU CAN

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If Ball remains healthy and Miles Bridges returns to good levels, fighting for the Play-in is not a utopia. And Miller wants to surprise: she was a criticized choice, but he can marry well with LaMelo.

Last season saw the Hornets finish 30th in offensive rating and 20th in defensive rating. And the key players, for different reasons, remain unknowns: it would not be surprising to see them again in the lottery.

THE QUINTET

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Jones, Poole, Kispert, Kuzma, Gafford.

THE STAR

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It’s difficult to identify a real star: contracts in hand, Jordan Poole is the prized piece. He arrives from Golden State to be the protagonist: he will have the keys to the attack together with Kuzma.

MAIN RESERVATIONS

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Avdija, Shamet, Wright, Gibson, Gallinari, Coulibaly.

TRAINER

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Wes Unseld Jr. (confirmed)

OBJECTIVE

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Growing, approaching 50% victories.

Starting well can give Washington important victories in the first part of the season. The Poole-Kuzma couple is certainly talented: it will be the first experience as concertmaster for the former Golden State player. He could thrive in a team where he can take a lot of shots.

WHY NOT

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The franchise’s moves in the offseason send a clear message: we need to rebuild. With Beal and Porzingis gone, Washington seems less equipped than its rivals for the play-ins and could decide to already think about the future during the current season.