Six Young Teams to Watch in 2023–24
Three teams from each conference will turn heads this year
With the NBA offseason all but finished, fans now have a better idea of where their favorite franchise stands heading into an exciting 2023–24 season. From contenders looking to build on their success to younger squads trying to build a brighter future, there is no doubt that nearly every team in the league will have a wide audience.
However, there are a few teams that, based on their recent additions and accomplishments, should have more eyes on them next season than in years past — from basketball diehards to those who casually catch a broadcast. Here are six squads that are worth keeping an eye on when the NBA returns to action.
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers
Despite their first-round exit in the 2022–23 NBA Playoffs, the Cavs are still worthy of attention in a tight Eastern Conference. Led by Donovan Mitchell — who averaged a career-best 28.3 PPG on 48–38–86 splits — as well as a solid core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Caris LeVert (among others), Cleveland is looking to build on recent success.
The Cavs had a productive offseason, completing a sign-and-trade for former Heat guard Max Strus while acquiring Georges Niang and Damian Jones — two other solid rotation options. The re-signing of LeVert adds to their successful summer, and Zach Lowe has hailed them as one of the offseason winners.
Cleveland has often been overlooked in discussions around the best young team, but their mix of youth with steady veterans gives them the tools they need for an extended playoff run. With a clear desire to compete and pressure mounting on a Donovan Mitchell extension, expect the Cavs to go all-out this season and make themselves heard in a sea of eastern contenders.
Brooklyn Nets
Even though they dismantled their “big three” (and most of the championship aspirations that came with it), something is cooking in Brooklyn — and it’s not just the bagels. The Nets may not necessarily be outright title contenders, but there’s a good chance they can avoid the Play-in again if all goes according to plan.
Brooklyn hopes to capitalize off of a career year by Mikal Bridges, who was acquired in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade and averaged 26 points (47–37–89 splits) and 4.5 assists per game. The Nets also have standout young players in Cam Thomas — who was lighting up the league at one point — Nic Claxton, and Cam Johnson. Add that to the veterans in Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale, and Ben Simmons, and Brooklyn already has a solid foundation for their future.
Like the Cavs, the Nets were equally busy during their offseason. While they didn’t make any big moves, they improved around the edges by drafting Noah Clowney, signing Lonnie Walker IV, Darius Bazley, Jalen Wilson (undrafted free agent), Armoni Brooks (UDFA, Two-Way Contract), and re-signing Johnson. The array of transactions immediately improves their depth and adds intrigue to their potential starting lineup.
Having finished sixth in the East and falling in the first round, the Nets are still building something special. With a Ben Simmons return on the horizon next to the aforementioned young talents, brilliant basketball continues in Brooklyn — “big three” or not.
Indiana Pacers
Finally, the Indiana Pacers — a team stuck in purgatory — should have a wider audience heading into next season, particularly after ending with a 35–47 record and barely missing the Play-in.
Indiana may have surprised everyone this summer, trading away Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings for two second-rounders, then nabbing NBA champion Bruce Brown to an astonishing two-year, $45 million contract. Additionally, they improved their frontcourt by drafting Jarace Walker eighth overall and trading for Obi Toppin, and they added more young talent with Ben Shepperd (#23) and Isaiah Wong (#55). Locking up Tyrese Haliburton on a five-year, $260 million extension wasn’t too shabby, either.
Amid all these moves, what can’t get lost in the conversation is the expectations for Bennedict Mathurin. The 6-foot-6 guard is due for a sophomore leap after making the All-Rookie First Team and finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting. Though he served as Indy’s sixth man last season, he could become a regular-season starter for Rick Carlisle and potentially be in the running for the Most Improved Player award.
Overall, the Pacers have potential as a Play-in team in the East. It will take several X-factors to do so — Mathurin, Hield, Brown, and Haliburton in particular — but there’s a chance they will have a better sense of direction after this summer.
Western Conference
Sacramento Kings
Fresh off of ending their 16-year playoff drought, the Kings are one of the Western Conference teams that could pry attention away from the obvious contenders.
The addition of Chris Duarte is a solid move for the Kings this summer, fortifying their three-point shooting and depth behind Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk. The Kings also took care of the center position, extending Domantas Sabonis’s contract while re-signing Alex Len and adding Nerlens Noel. Also, they made the intriguing yet smart choice of bringing Euroleague MVP Sasha Vezenkov stateside. The Kings agreed to a three-year deal with the 6-foot-9 forward, who averaged 17.6 PPG and 7 RPG while shooting 54% from the field and 39% from deep. The team also re-signed veterans, Harrison Barnes and Trey Lyles, further solidifying their frontcourt.
Aside from the lead duo of Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, the Kings have one player who is truly starting to emerge as their X-factor. Keegan Murray impressed many during Summer League, showing a marked improvement in his frame and game. The 6-foot-8 forward only played two games in July but averaged 35 points (51–45–89 splits), along with three rebounds, 1.5 steals, and two blocks.
Sacramento has plenty to be proud of after last season, and even if the West is growing stronger by the summer, they still have an opportunity to make some noise in the conference.
San Antonio Spurs (And Not Just Because of Wemby)
The Spurs added the crown jewel to their young core in Victor Wembanyama, but he is not the only reason fans should be tuning in for San Antonio basketball.
Wemby has plenty of other young, talented teammates, all whose development will be critical toward future success. Keldon Johnson had a fourth-year breakout, averaging a career-best 22 points per game while shooting 45% from the field. Devin Vassell also turned heads in his third year, putting up 18.5 points per game on 44–38–78 splits. Tre Jones remains the team’s steady floor general, staying ready to orchestrate the offense with an average of 12.9 PPG and 6.6 APG last season. And rising sophomores Jeremy Sochan (11 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.5 APG) and Malaki Branham (10 PPG, 44% FG) are set to continue playing key roles on the roster.
The Spurs were quiet in free agency, though made key improvements by trading for Cameron Payne and Reggie Bullock in separate transactions. Those veterans are joining returning ones in Doug McDermott, Cedi Osman, and Devonte Graham, among others — all set to lead the way for the future of the Spurs organization.
It will take some time before the Spurs can be considered serious contenders. However, patience is a virtue, and after Gregg Popovich signed a five-year extension, it’s apparent that he and San Antonio are ready for the grind.
Memphis Grizzlies
Lastly, the Grizzlies have quickly become one of the more exciting squads in the league. However, recent developments have made them all the more notable heading into next season.
Despite Ja Morant’s looming 25-game suspension for flashing a firearm on Instagram Live (again), the Grizzlies wasted no time improving their roster. They drafted two second-round talents in Gregory “GG” Jackson (45th pick, University of South Carolina) and Tarik Beberovic (56th pick, Turkey). They also signed Derrick Rose — who played for the Memphis Tigers—and moved on from Dillon Brooks in a sign-and-trade. However, none of those moves are more important than their summer splash: landing Marcus Smart in a blockbuster deal.
Smart is the epitome of the grit-and-grind mentality that the Grizzlies prided themselves on in the past. Morant sidelined, he provides stability as the facilitator while elevating their play on both ends of the floor. Morant’s return will be a bit of a different story, but if they can find a way to make things work, a combination of Morant and Smart is worth watching.
Aside from Smart, the other key pieces of the Grizzlies — Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. — will have larger roles to begin the season. Bane broke out in his third year, averaging 21.5 PPG while shooting 48% from the field, nearly 41% from three, and 88% from the free-throw line. Jackson Jr., the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and a 2023 All-Star reserve, is primarily set to ies in Morant’s absence. He put up 18.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 3 BPG in the regular season and was even more efficient without the team’s leader. The two will be catalysts for must-see TV in Memphis. Once Morant returns, who knows what the Grizzlies can do?
These six teams should be earning more recognition already, even if more legit title nate their conferences. Once October rolls around, catch these players and teams hungry to compete at a high level, whether it’s aiming for a playoff spot or making strides in their development.
