Every NBA Team’s X-Factor Heading Into ‘22-’23 Season — Pt. 1

These players could take their team over the edge!

Atlanta Hawks: Dejounte Murray

Even though I have mentioned Dejounte Murray as someone to watch multiple times before, it is impossible to overstate how polarizing a combination Murray and Trae Young will be together in the backcourt. Murray ranked 4th, while Young ranked 9th, for touches per game, so both of their ball dominance could easily interfere with the other’s. They’re an interesting combination, because they’re comparable at playmaking, but Murray’s outside shooting pales in comparison to Young. Furthermore, Murray’s perimeter defense is far out of Young’s league, meaning that we could see a mixture of matchups and responsibilities.

Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown

Jayson Tatum’s turnovers were getting out of control during the playoffs, particularly when he had a lockdown defender like Jimmy Butler on him in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics are going through much turmoil right now, both on a personal level, but also with having to deal with the losses of Robert Williams III and Danilo Gallinari. With their depleting depth and Tatum’s relatively inefficient 2021–2022 season, Brown’s support as a second option is more important than ever.

Brooklyn Nets: Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons has not played a game of NBA basketball since June 20, 2021. Simmons certainly regressed a bit in his final season in Philadelphia, potentially due to the obvious predictability of his playing style coinciding with the fact that his co-star, Joel Embiid, was also paint-dominant. This left defenders with the notion that they could crash the paint and let players like Tobias Harris shoot instead of enabling Embiid and Simmons to torment the interior. You’d be surprised by how solid Brooklyn’s defense was last season, but many of their contributors to this includes players like Andre Drummond and LaMarcus Aldridge, both of which are not returning for the 2022–2023 campaign with Brooklyn. Even at Simmons’ worst, he always provides elite perimeter defensive value, in addition to his ability to consistently contest drives because of his dynamic stature. Simmons will be vital to however head coach Steve Nash decides to deploy his lineups.

Charlotte Hornets: Gordon Hayward

Miles Bridges’ usage rate increased by 5.7% from the ‘20-’21 season to this past year, accentuating his growing role within the roster before dealing with the extreme legal concerns that he currently faces. Gordon Hayward is the Charlotte Hornets’ successive winger to Bridges, and should see his impact increase in the following year. Hayward’s usage rate decreased by 3% as Bridges’ increased, and at Hayward’s peak contributions, he wielded a hefty usage rate of 27%. Hayward’s main worry is his liability for injury, but if he can return to his scoring production of around 20 PPG, as in his first season with Charlotte, it should suffice.

Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams

When is Lonzo Ball going to play basketball again? How healthy will Alex Caruso be? These two questions should rightfully worry Chicago Bulls fans, as they are one of the worst teams in the league at guarding the perimeter; allowing the 4th highest three-point accuracy last season in the league. Patrick Williams is a monster at contesting shots, where in his rookie season, he held opponents to 3.72% less than their average interior field goal percentage and was a fantastic off-ball chaser. Williams will need to help bridge the defensive gap opened up by the tentative availability of Ball and Caruso.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Isaac Okoro

Isaac Okoro could find himself in an exponentially increased role with the loss of Lauri Markkanen in the Cavaliers’ trade for Donovan Mitchell. Markkanen’s usage rate was 17.6%, with Okoro’s being a measly 12.1%, last season. Okoro does not seem to be developing into a serious offensive threat anytime soon, so his touches may not increase a whole lot, but he’ll surely continue to receive difficult defensive assignments, where his constant movement and speed should bode him well. Okoro is also almost always left open at the perimeter, so if he can progress into becoming a true 3-and-D archetype, his value could be immense next season.

Dallas Mavericks: JaVale McGee

In his limited role for the Phoenix Suns last season, JaVale McGee was one of the most efficient players in the league. McGee provided an 118 ORtg and 102 DRtg that served as a great reinforcement for Deandre Ayton, but he genuinely might be receiving a starting role for the Mavericks for the first time since his championship-winning campaign with the Lakers in ‘19-’20. McGee has never played over 28 MPG, so durability and stamina will certainly limit his impact, but it’ll be new for the Mavericks to finally have a proper paint-beast, rather than the roaming Maxi Kleber and the somewhat passive Dwight Powell.

Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray

Similar to Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray has not played basketball in about a year and a half. Unlike Simmons though, Murray’s torn ACL is much more severe of a physical set-back. Murray’s athleticism and speed accentuated his game perfectly into making him a deadly rim threat who could also pull up from three. Michael Porter Jr.’s return is also one to watch, but Murray was already budding into an all-star before falling victim to injury. Murray should also hopefully relieve some of Nikola Jokic’s playmaking duties, giving the big-man further opportunity to reprise his scoring talent.

Detroit Pistons: Marvin Bagley III

It is yet to be seen how Dwayne Casey will rotate the newly-acquired Bojan Bogdanovic alongside Isaiah Stewart and Marvin Bagley, but Bagley’s growing offensive prowess should be noted. Bagley managed a career-high ORtg of 115 in his limited output with Detroit last season, averaging 14.6 PPG and several rebounds to complement Stewart’s propensity for grabbing boards. There is considerable competition in the frontcourt, as Nerlens Noel and rookie Jalen Duren will surely fight for minutes as well, so this could be a telling year for the former 2018 2nd-pick.

Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga

The Golden State Warriors lost Gary Payton, Nemanja Bjelica and re-signed a washed Andre Iguodala. That being said, Jonathan Kuminga shares the wing with Donte DiVicenzo and JaMychal Green, two fresh signings. The Warriors will likely prioritize the development of their drafted prospects over new role-players, meaning that Kuminga will be a part of a bench unit that includes other draft youngsters like James Wiseman and Jordan Poole, the latter of which is improving at an exponential rate. Kuminga will surely be the backup to Andrew Wiggins and/or Draymond Green; both of whom leave large shoes to fill.