With all the buzz surrounding the East and West contenders for 2024, let’s not forget about a few teams to watch. They’ll fly under the radar and make some noise in their own fashion. Can the Oklahoma City Thunder build off last season’s playoff push? Will New Orleans finally have a healthy Zion Williamson from start to finish? Sacramento Kings lit plenty of beams led by De’Aaron Fox and could be primed to shine even brighter.
Indiana Pacers found their franchise player in Tyrese Haliburton and the expectations couldn’t be clearer. Minnesota has a young superstar Timberwolf in Anthony Edwards. Which of these teams will fly under the radar in 2024? As the great LL Cool J once said: “Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.”
Oklahoma City Thunder: Where do I begin with OKC? A team who happened to hit a home run with trading for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Paul George blockbuster of 2019. Which most of OKC’s picks came from the Los Angeles Clippers as well. This was the beginning of a new day and has only gotten better. Chet Holmgren, second pick overall in the 2022 NBA Draft missed all of 2023 with a foot injury is back and fully healthy. A roster with long, athletic guards and forwards. Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, (no relation) Tre Mann, and a roster of guys who will compete every night.
OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault is a young coach as well and players have raved about his coaching style. Open-minded, innovative, and unconventional would describe his coaching style. Since he’s been the head
coach, OKC has been ranked in the top ten in defense. Pretty good for a group of players who can be themselves and play to their strengths.
There are expectations for OKC in 2024. Building off last season’s playoff push and making it interesting in the crowded western conference. One aspect of OKC, they’re one of the cooler teams in the league. Youth and vibrancy with a coach who’s making the game understandable for them. Credit GM Sam Presti for drafting very well and finding unknown talent.
The Thunder are going to give collective effort and be matchup nightmares with all their youthful legs. As New Edition once said: “These are the things that change boys to men.” OKC will absolutely be a team to watch in 2024 and rest assure; don’t be surprised if they win a playoff series.
New Orleans Pelicans: Can Zion Williamson finally stay healthy for the Pels to compete in 2024? It appeared that way in 2023… Until a predictable injury to Zion forced New Orleans to shut him down. His weight and conditioning have been a storyline more than the number of games he’s played. New Orleans has played solid without their superstar. Credit to head coach Willie Green for getting this team ready to play and compete. With Brandon Ingram finally evolving into an all-star caliber player, you can say the Pelicans can rely on him to be available.
A roster with guys who don’t mind playing any given possession such as: Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Larry Nance Jr, and savvy veteran CJ McCollum. New Orleans has the potential to be a sleeper team in the west as well. Not saying title contenders, but they’ll push the better teams to the edge each night. It all starts and ends with Zion Williamson; plain and simple. If he can stay remotely 85% healthy and be the guy we all envisioned in 2020, this team can go places. Call it “khaos” but that’s how I’m thinking right now. If all goes as planned, the Pelicans can strike a little fear without hesitation. Not the flashiest team by any means, but If their franchise player in Zion can apart of a playoff run.
Sacramento Kings: One of the bigger surprises in 2023; making the playoffs for the first time since 2006 led by All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox. Head Coach Mike Brown won Coach of the Year honors; while Fox captured the first ever Clutch Performance Award. Expectations for Sacramento are higher as they continue to keep the fans in the stands. With a roster of Fox, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, Trey Lyles, Alex Len, Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes and veteran JaVale McGee. Sacramento had one of the better offenses; but this team struggled defensively. In order to compete, they’ll need to clamp down and give a collective effort. You can score 115 points a game but giving up equal amount won’t win in the postseason. Sacramento will win games, but can they maintain prosperity into 2024?
Indiana Pacers: Welcome to the Hoosier state, known for basketball prodigies and low key nice cities. For the city of Indianapolis, there hasn’t been much to cheer about far as Pacers basketball. Speaking with a few of my cousins earlier this summer, there’s hype around “blue collar, gold swagger” and it starts with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. Re-signing Haliburton this offseason was crucial for Indiana; having a cornerstone player who wants to be there and give his all every night.
Joining him are two players who were subjects of trade rumors in Myles Turner and Buddy Hield. Trading for former lottery pick Obi Toppin from New York; to go along with free agent signing Bruce Brown, this young Pacers team will be one I’ll be watching for sure. Indiana has talent, but can they stay the course and compete in
a wide open Eastern Conference? Nothing is guaranteed but let it be known Indiana is a team you can’t overlook. Head Coach Rick Carlisle will have the mixture of size and length to build around Haliburton. If truth be told, they could quietly sneak in unannounced and crash the party. If this team can find equal footing early on, don’t be shocked if Indiana wins 50 games in 2024. It’s very reachable if all goes as planned.
Minnesota Timberwolves: A young timber wolf has arrived and letting everyone know. Anthony Edwards is ascending, and the league has taken notice. Back to back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, Minnesota is on par to make it three straight seasons. Now… Minnesota has Ant-Man, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Clark, Troy Brown Jr, Naz Reid, and free agent signing Shake Milton. Savvy veteran Mike Conley Jr and… the biggest trade mistake in league history Rudy Gobert.
Head coach Chris Finch has done a solid job in keeping this team competitive. All the young Timberwolves are home grown and it’s time to show up. In the animal kingdom, wolves are hunters. For this team, it’s time to become hunters of prey instead of being hunted. We all know Anthony Edwards is a generational talent; he’s committed to Minnesota for the foreseeable future.
Will Karl Anthony-Towns be there to start the season despite trade rumors? In a very competitive Western Conference, Minnesota can’t afford to stay in the forest roaming. It’s time to howl and mark their territory. If anything, Anthony Edwards will give you highlight reels; but he needs his fellow wolves to hunt with him. If everyone in the pack gets left behind, Ant-Man won’t be the fall guy. You either reach your potential or continue to be devoured by the bigger beasts. You may get wounded, but at the of it all, your battle scars will tell a story of determination and honor. Can Minnesota leave their comfort zone in the wooded forest or stand upon the Twin Cities and howl for greatness? Only time will tell.
Stai tuned…
