The 2023 NBA season is well underway, and we have a pretty good indication of what players and teams are the creams of the crop in terms of talent and success.
We also have an idea of which players will achieve which awards and accolades and what teams will likely end the year on the most positive note. As such, it is time to make the season’s major predictions as we continue marching on toward the All-Star Break.
It is never easy to make predictions, especially in the modern NBA, where so many variables come into play, but it must be done for the usual “I told you so’s” at the end of the year. It is time to make 20 major predictions about the NBA in 2023 involving the league’s best players and teams while also going deeper into what could possibly change the NBA landscape going forward. Without further ado, here are 20 major predictions about the 2023 season that will likely end up coming true.
20. Luka Doncic Will Win The Scoring Title
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What Luka Doncic is doing right now is beyond spectacular. He became the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double, and he is doing it through pure size and skill. Luka has zero athleticism, but like a young Larry Bird, his skill level and height is off the charts. Standing 6’7” and weighing 230 lbs, Luka can absorb contact well and get to his spots on the court.
Of course, he can score with the best of them. Currently, Luka is leading all players with a 34.3 PPG average, and he is doing it on 50.7% shooting from the field. Doncic will likely finish as the league’s leading scorer at the end of the year, and while he will have competition from Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Slovenian will have his first major award in the bag of what will be a Hall of Fame career.
19. Giannis Antetokounmpo Will Win His Second Defensive Player Of The Year Award
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Giannis Antetokounmpo won his only Defensive Player of the Year trophy in 2020 when the superstar forward became the best player in the world. In fact, Giannis also won the MVP that year and did it by posting 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.0 BPG. Giannis’ defense was particularly spectacular, and he earned his DPOY trophy.
Even today, there isn’t a player who can do more on defense than Giannis. The Greek Freak can literally guard all five positions and has been doing it all year. Posting 0.9 SPG and 0.9 BPG, his defensive stats are awfully close to what he put up in 2020. Alongside Brook Lopez, Giannis is dominating the paint on defense, and the Bucks have one of the best defenders because of him. As a result, Giannis will be a two-time DPOY winner at the end of the year.
18. Russell Westbrook Earns His 6th Man Of The Year Trophy
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Russell Westbrook was a laughing stock last season, as he was a turnover-heavy point guard who missed countless layups and dunks. But after getting relegated to the bench, Westbrook is playing much better basketball and has the best stats out of any 6th man in the NBA. In other words, Russ might actually win an individual accolade as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers!
Westbrook is averaging 14.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 7.6 APG off the Lakers bench for most of the year. Somehow, Lakers Nation wants Russ to re-sign with the team after he was made public enemy #1 last year. As long as Westbrook keeps playing as he has off the bench, he will win 6th Man of the Year at the end of the season and could return to the Purple and Gold on a team-friendly contract next year.
17. Paolo Banchero Will Win Rookie Of The Year
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The best rookie in the NBA is Paolo Banchero, and the Orlando Magic knew what they were doing. Chet Holmgren was considered a once-in-a-generation player, and Jabari Smith Jr was a far more smooth operator in college. But Banchero is a grown man already at 20 years old and has had the most impact in his first season. The 6’10” forward is the best player on the Magic already and is posting 20.9 PPG.
Banchero will beat out Bennedict Mathurin, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith Jr to win Rookie of the Year by a wide margin. The young man can score better than any rookie, has the size to be an impact player already, and has the highest ceiling from what we have seen. The Magic won the NBA Draft so far because their No. 1 overall pick will be the Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.
16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Will Win Most Improved Player
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The runaway for the Most Improved Player of the Year award is Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The player’s talent was evident when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, but his play has elevated to an astronomical level right now. The guard is posting 30.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG on 49.9% FG, 35.4% 3-PT FG, and 91.3% FT. Clearly, Gilgeous-Alexander will be a first-time All-star after posting those numbers.
As a result, the guard will win his first major accolade. At only 24 years old, he will only get better as the team gets better around him. The potential of Josh Giddy and Chet Holmgren is exciting, and the core of the Thunder looks stronger by the year. With another valuable draft pick coming in next preseason, Gilgeous-Alexander will soon have the help he needs to win more than his first MIP trophy.
15. Milwaukee Bucks Will Not Be In The Eastern Conference Finals
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The favorites to come out of the East are the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets. The team with championship experience is the Milwaukee Bucks, and they have arguably the best two-way player in the world right now. But despite all that, the Bucks will not be in the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a bold prediction, considering how good they can be, but there are too many factors to consider right now.
For one, the Nets are rolling. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are unguardable, and no team can compete with their firepower. Next, the Boston Celtics want revenge after losing in the NBA Finals last year and will likely be in the Eastern Conference Finals. Perhaps most importantly, Khris Middleton has only played 7 games so far and will need time to get back to All-Star status. Unfortunately, the Bucks might not achieve much this year beyond Giannis capturing his second Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
14. Karl-Anthony Towns Will Request A Trade
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The Minnesota Timberwolves franchise wants to win, which is why they paid a king’s ransom to bring in 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert on board. The Frenchman’s fit alongside star player Karl-Anthony Towns was confusing at first because how can both bigs have the space needed to operate? The goal was to make Towns a sharpshooter while Gobert battles down low with rebounds.
Well, it hasn’t worked. The Timberwolves are 18-21, Gobert is frustrating fans with his poor hands and lack of post moves, and nobody other than Towns can be considered a consistent performer going forward. Towns is posting 20.8 PPG and 8.2 RPG, although he has only played 21 games. Regardless of his own performance, Towns might have had enough in Minnesota because making All-Star Teams might not be enough for one of the most talented bigs in recent memory. Karl-Anthony Towns will request a trade out of Minnesota, and it will happen soon if things don’t change.
13. Atlanta Hawks Will Not Make The NBA Playoffs
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Much was made of the Atlanta Hawks’ clever move to bring in All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from San Antonio to relieve Trae Young in the offense. Murray has done well this season by averaging 20.6 PPG and 6.3 APG, but he has not been enough to help Atlanta get back to title-contending status. Remember, the Hawks made the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago but have looked like a shell of themselves since then.
Trae Young will be an All-Star again this year by averaging 27.5 PPG and 10.0 APG, but the rest of the team is faltering. John Collins is not the answer at power forward and could be traded, while Clint Capela has only played in 27 games so far this season. The Hawks need to make changes because, at this rate, the Hawks will not make the playoffs and will waste a year of Trae Young’s prime. In fact, it is very likely the Hawks will end up missing the postseason at the end of the regular season.
12. Denver Nuggets Will Be No. 1 Seed In The West
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Nikola Jokic is leading the MVP race yet again and could be in the mix for his third straight MVP award. But Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr are back, meaning the Nuggets are legitimate title contenders again for the first time since the 2020 season. With a smart move to bring in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to shore up their shooting and defense, the Nuggets have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. Credit must also go to Mike Malone, who is doing a masterful job coaching the best center in the league.
With Jokic averaging close to a triple-double and Jamal Murray finding his footing again, the Denver Nuggets will end up with the top seed in the West. Currently, they hold the No. 1 seed at 24-13, and they will hold onto their spot because the Memphis Grizzlies are not ready to win yet, and the Phoenix Suns might have issues holding the players back. With the league MVP on the team, Denver has a great shot at making the NBA Finals.
11. Brooklyn Nets Will Be The No. 1 Seed In The East
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The Brooklyn Nets are playing fantastic basketball since Steve Nash was fired as the head coach and Kyrie Irving returned to the court. While completely unfair to blame Nash for the team’s poor performances over the past year and a half, Vaughn has been a revelation. Of course, Simmons is playing dominant defense, and the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been impossible to stop.
With only 1.0 games behind the top-seeded Boston Celtics, the Nets have the momentum to earn the top spot in the East ahead of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. Durant and Irving are two dominant regular-season performers, and no team can match their skill level on the offensive end. As a result, Brooklyn will be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference at the end of the year and place themselves in a position to win it all.
10. Kyrie Irving Will Re-Sign With The Nets
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Kyrie Irving has been a walking ball of drama since he left the Cleveland Cavaliers following the 2017 NBA season. The point guard left a sour taste in the mouths of Boston Celtics fans before being an annoyance with the Brooklyn Nets due to his vaccination stance last year. This season, Irving made surprising comments that saw major labels, including Nike, drop him. Even with all the drama firing again, Irving has been utterly sensational when on the court.
Irving is posting 26.2 PPG and 5.1 RPG for the Nets, and his partnership with Kevin Durant has been a joy to watch over the past few months. Despite requesting a trade and almost forcing Durant out the door, things are looking good in Brooklyn as the team is prospering under head coach Jacque Vaughn. Because the Nets are playing inspired basketball and the roster is filled with talent, Irving will end up re-signing with the team that he wanted to leave at the start of the year.
9. Los Angeles Lakers Will Not Compete In The Playoffs
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Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers were considered the most disappointing collection of talent in NBA history. After all, how could a team that has 3 Hall of Famers in LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook fail? The team failed miserably, missing the play-in tournament and having endless moments of embarrassment. This year is much of the same, and while they are better than last year, they won’t make the playoffs.
That is simply unacceptable for the Purple and Gold, especially because LeBron James is still playing like a top-10 player in the world, and Anthony Davis was in the MVP race before his injury. Moving Russell Westbrook to the bench has fixed a lot of issues, but the issues run deeper than a point guard who does not fit alongside LeBron James. Rob Pelinka has done a poor job building the roster, and the brilliance of LeBron James won’t be enough to guide this team into the playoffs this season.
8. Chicago Bulls Will Trade Zach LaVine This Summer
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Things aren’t great in Chicago right now. They just gave up 71 points to Donovan Mitchell this week, and they sit 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-21 record. For a team that has DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, along with Nikola Vucevic, that simply isn’t good enough. The best way for the Bulls to do something positive would be to rebuild fast and cash in on their most valuable assets. But which player has the most value on the team right now?
Zach LaVine. The 27-year-old shooting guard is posting 22.7 PPG and 4.3 APG this season, which is down from last year’s numbers. LaVine seems unhappy in Chicago as the head coach has undermined him on occasion, and it seems DeMar DeRozan is the first option in the offense. Regardless, the Bulls will pull the trigger on LaVine this summer and likely acquire at least two first-round picks as a result. That could come to the benefit of LaVine, who might be better suited playing in an even bigger market than Chicago.
7. Draymond Green Will Accept Player Option
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Since Draymond Green’s punch on Jordan Poole, his time with the Golden State Warriors has been declared up in the minds of most fans and media members. After all, there isn’t coming back from such behavior in the minds of most people who are in tune with NBA culture. But Green has been more than a valuable servant for the franchise, and it is hard to see the player anywhere else except in San Francisco.
As a result, Green will likely accept his $27 million worth player option and return to the Golden State Warriors. As a veteran leader, defensive specialist, playmaker, and irritant to the opposition, Draymond will do what he does best while toning down his outspokenness in the team a little bit. Draymond knows what he did was wrong, and he will step back and allow the likes of Poole to shine more than ever. With Green on board and the Warriors fully healthy, the team will be back in the championship hunt next year.
6. James Harden Will Sign With The Houston Rockets
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Adrian Wojnarowski made a surprising announcement on Christmas Day regarding 3-time scoring champion and current Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden. Apparently, The Beard is interested in re-joining the Houston Rockets after he forced his way out two years ago. If Philly fails in the playoffs again this year, which is likely, Harden might shift his focus on the franchise that gave him his first chance of becoming a superstar.
Houston was good to Harden, as the player won 3 scoring titles, an MVP award, and came close to winning his first NBA championship in the city. Of course, Harden has deep ties to the community in H-Town and very likely has close family there. Rather than chasing rings like other stars are doing, he will choose to be back where he is most comfortable and happy while continuing to build the love he brought to the franchise. Of course, the Rockets might be the only team willing to give Harden a max contract as well, so that could play another pivotal role.
5. Nikola Jokic Will Win His Third-Straight MVP
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Nicola Jokic has done the unthinkable by capturing two straight MVP awards over the past two years as a member of the Denver Nuggets. The Serbian superstar has solidified himself as the best passing center of all time and has led the Denver Nuggets to the top seed in the Western Conference at this moment. Denver sits with a 24-13 record, and Jokic has been at the heart of it.
Continuing on with predictions, it is likely that the Serbian will become the first player since Larry Bird to win 3 straight MVP awards. Now, unlike Bird, Jokic has detractors who felt that the MVP last year should have been Joel Embiid. But this season, it is hard to argue against Jokic, and his two past victories are solidified. Voting bias should not apply because the Serbian is doing incredible things right now by averaging 25.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 9.5 APG. When Denver captures the top seed in a crowded Western Conference, his third MVP award will sit in his trophy cabinet at the end of the year.
4. Charlotte Hornets Will Win The NBA Lottery And Draft Victor Wembanyama
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The Charlotte Hornets have been a disaster all year, as they currently have a 10-29 record and the worst record in the Eastern Conference. LaMelo Ball has only played 14 games so far, averaging 23.7 PPG and 7.8 APG, but his lack of availability has demolished this team. Of course, the Miles Bridges situation has not helped either, as the team is devoid of real talent at the moment.
But there will be one saving grace: Victor Wembanyama. The Frenchman is the target for all the tanking teams in the NBA, including the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, and Oklahoma City Thunder, but the Hornets will end up drafting the once-in-a-lifetime big man. The Hornets will form one of the most talented duos in NBA history, with Wenbenyama catching lobs from LaMelo, and the entire course of the franchise will change forever.
3. Lakers Will Trade LeBron James This Offseason
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The news of LeBron James feeling unsettled in Los Angeles has been spreading all year, especially after The King made shocking comments following the team’s loss against the Miami Heat last week. James is doing his thing, as always, posting 29.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 6.6 APG at age 38. James has not shown his age (except on the defensive end), and without him, the Lakers might be the worst team in the West other than the Houston Rockets. Their record isn’t great, though, as they sit 17-21 despite a legendary season from a veteran and 4-time NBA champion.
LeBron’s comments are very telling, and considering how the team is currently built, it is likely James will have enough by the end of the year and eventually request a trade. It is possible that the Lakers will miss the play-in tournament for the second straight year, and if that happens, capturing the all-time scoring record won’t be enough to keep LeBron in town. James will request a trade after another disastrous season and will seek greener pastures as he looks to end his career in winning ways. With no choice, Rob Pelinka will pull the trigger on a trade that sends an all-time great player in LeBron James, to another team.
2. Brooklyn Nets Will Win The NBA Championship
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It is easy to get ahead of ourselves and fall in love with the Brooklyn Nets all of a sudden because their 12-game winning streak has just ended against the Chicago Bulls. But winning 12 games in a row under new head coach Jacque Vaughn is a sign that the team is growing. Kyrie is a superstar again, Durant is arguably the best player in the world alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ben Simmons is a lockdown defender against most forwards and guards.
The Nets have the best offensive duo in the NBA, are clicking on all cylinders, and also have a host of role players who can come in and get buckets. Yuta Watanabe is shooting a ridiculous 52.1% from the three-point line, and guys like T.J. Warren will start to find their footing as bench scorers. With three All-Star players, including arguably the best player in the world on the team, the Brooklyn Nets could ride their winning wave and capture a top seed in the East. If that happens, the Nets can make it to the NBA Finals and win it all.
1. Kevin Durant Will Win The Finals MVP Award
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Kevin Durant is having a sensational season so far, posting 29.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 5.5 APG while being the best player on a steaming-hot Brooklyn Nets squad that has won 12 out of the last 13 games following the loss to the Chicago Bulls. Thanks to a head coaching change and the return of Kyrie Irving to the roster, the Nets have the right pieces alongside Kevin Durant, finally. Ben Simmons is competing as one of the best defenders in the NBA, and he has also been a fantastic addition to the team.
But Durant is the undisputed best player on the team, and his efficiency as a scorer and all-around player has made him a legitimate MVP candidate. The 4-time scoring champion is shooting 56.4% from the field and 93.1% from the stripe, and his presence has the Nets sitting third in the East with only 1.0 GB, the Boston Celtics for the top spot. The Nets are rolling, and considering how well Durant is playing with the help alongside him, the man known as The Slim Reaper will win his third Finals MVP award at the end of the year once the Nets grab the top spot and make it to the Finals. With only Giannis challenging Durant as the best player in the world, Durant has the best chance to win the Finals MVP award and solidify his legacy once and for all.
Source: fadeawayworld
