Yardbarker
x
25 questions heading into the 2017-18 NBA season

25 questions heading into the 2017-18 NBA season

The start of the 2017-18 NBA season is only weeks away, with plenty of intriguing questions and storylines. Given the bevy of high-profile moves this offseason, questions abound all across the league. Have the newest "super-teams" done enough to knock off the Warriors? How will Kyrie Irving fit in his new home, and can LeBron James get back to the NBA Finals yet again with Dwyane Wade once more in tow?

Here are the 25 biggest questions heading into the year.

 
1 of 25

Can anyone stop the Warriors?

Can anyone stop the Warriors?
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

The reigning champs return with the same core looking to win their third championship in four years. With 4/7 odds to win it all, Vegas doesn't love the chances of someone else stopping them.

 
2 of 25

Can Russell Westbrook keep it up with help from new friends?

Can Russell Westbrook keep it up with help from new friends?
Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports Images

Westbrook averaged a triple-double en route to winning MVP last season without Kevin Durant. Now he has help from both Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, taking the pressure off of him. While the new faces should help the Thunder, it remains to be seen what will happen to Westbrook's stats and MVP prospects, not to mention the team's performance.

 
3 of 25

Is this LeBron's swan song in Cleveland?

Is this LeBron's swan song in Cleveland?
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

James has a player option following this season, and it's certainly possible that he will exercise it. That would be another sad scenario for Cleveland fans, but at least he's already fulfilled his quest for a championship.

 
4 of 25

Can the Cavs challenge Golden State with their new supporting cast?

Can the Cavs challenge Golden State with their new supporting cast?
Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports Images

Speaking of Cleveland, the Cavs have high hopes again to challenge the Warriors. They have 4/1 odds to win it all, according to Vegas, and have made significant offseason additions like Dwyane Wade and Isaiah Thomas to take Kyrie Irving's place.

 
5 of 25

Can Devin Booker lead the Suns to contention?

Can Devin Booker lead the Suns to contention?
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

The Suns finished in the cellar of the competitive Western Conference last season, but Booker was a major bright spot. He averaged 22 points per game at age 20 and could help Phoenix ascend with a thinner conference this year.

 
6 of 25

Are the Timberwolves legit contenders with Jimmy Butler?

Are the Timberwolves legit contenders with Jimmy Butler?
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota won only 31 games last season, but there's certainly reason for excitement heading into 2017-18. Butler joins young stars Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the team has also added Jeff Teague at point guard at Taj Gibson at forward. The expectations are sky high.

 
7 of 25

Can Dwight Howard revitalize his career in Charlotte?

Can Dwight Howard revitalize his career in Charlotte?
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Howard simply isn't the player he was before a major knee injury, but he's still an asset. He has time to revitalize his career, turning 32 in December, and will be featured in Charlotte.

 
8 of 25

Will Lonzo Ball be upstaged by his father in L.A.?

Will Lonzo Ball be upstaged by his father in L.A.?
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Ball has been the talk of the preseason and seems to be a perfect fit for the Lakers. His father, Lonzo, has remained relatively quiet recently but took much of the attention over the last year while endorsing his sons — and himself.

 
9 of 25

Can the Clippers remain competitive with new faces?

Can the Clippers remain competitive with new faces?
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

The Clippers will notably be without Chris Paul and J.J. Redick this season, but they still have plenty of talent. Notably, the Clippers added Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. It should be an interesting year for L.A.'s other team.

 
10 of 25

Are the Rockets serious contenders with Chris Paul?

Are the Rockets serious contenders with Chris Paul?
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The Rockets made waves when they acquired Paul from the Clippers during the offseason. Houston attempted more than 40 three-pointers per game last season. While it's likely the team will continue to seek the three-point shot, Paul should open up other easy shots for them.

 
11 of 25

Will Chris Paul make James Harden even better?

Will Chris Paul make James Harden even better?
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Harden had a career year last season, setting career marks in points, assists and rebounds. It's hard to imagine him building on that campaign after averaging 29.1 points per game, but Paul could have that type of impact.

 
12 of 25

Will the Nets dig themselves out of the grave?

Will the Nets dig themselves out of the grave?
Nicole Sweet / USA Today Sports Images

The state of the Nets franchise has been dire for several years with a combined 41 wins over the last two seasons. They've been further set back with some bad trades, but new additions D'Angelo Russell, Timofey Mozgov, DeMarre Carroll and Allen Crabbe do give the team a new look.

 
13 of 25

Are the Knicks still the best team in New York?

Are the Knicks still the best team in New York?
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Saying that the Knicks were the best in New York last season really isn't saying much with only 31 wins. Now after trading Carmelo Anthony, the team's chances at competitiveness look even more dire this season. Kristaps Porzingis becomes the face of the team, but hoping for last year's win total could even be a reach.

 
14 of 25

Will the process in Philadelphia finally deliver?

Will the process in Philadelphia finally deliver?
Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports Images

It's time for the 76ers to deliver on the promise. They added Markelle Fultz in the draft and signed J.J. Redick to a loaded roster that includes Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric. 

 
15 of 25

Will Denver be competitive with the help of Paul Millsap?

Will Denver be competitive with the help of Paul Millsap?
Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Sports Images

There has been some turnover in Denver, but the addition of Millsap in the offseason was regarded by some as the best free agent signing of them all. Denver finished only one game out of the playoffs in the Western Conference last season and hopes to punch its ticket to the playoffs this year.

 
16 of 25

Did Kyrie Irving make the right decision?

Did Kyrie Irving make the right decision?
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Irving demanded a trade out of Cleveland to get out of LeBron's shadow. He joins a Celtics team also loaded with talent, replacing Isaiah Thomas. A step forward will be credited to Irving, but so will the blame if Boston doesn't match last season.

 
17 of 25

Can the Spurs remain a serious contender in the West?

Can the Spurs remain a serious contender in the West?
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

The Spurs' consistency over the last several years is remarkable, with Kawhi Leonard now the face of the team. However, Gregg Popovich's team isn't often mentioned anymore with the NBA super-teams, and the Spurs have only the fifth best odds to win the NBA Finals.

 
18 of 25

Are there any gems we can expect from late in the draft?

Are there any gems we can expect from late in the draft?
Sergio Estrada / USA Today Sports Images

Every NBA draft brings with it some pleasant, late surprises. This year's draft in particular has some late potential with names like Justin Patton, Harry Giles, Caleb Swanigan, Frank Mason III and Dwayne Bacon. Only time will tell how this year's draft grades out in a few years.

 
19 of 25

Will teams continue to play for the draft?

Will teams continue to play for the draft?
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

The process in Philadelphia was painful for fans, but it looks like it could be worth the wait. Losing for a better draft spot is a much debated issue in the NBA, and rules were recently enacted to prevent intentionally losing. However, the new rule, which decreases the odds of the three worst teams getting the No. 1 overall pick from 25 percent to 14 percent, won't start until 2019.

 
20 of 25

Will Washington continue its momentum from last year or regress?

Will Washington continue its momentum from last year or regress?
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

The Wizards made a huge jump last season as star John Wall established himself as elite. Often, teams that make a big jump in one season regress the following year, but Washington has the talent, led by Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr., to get even better.

 
21 of 25

Which team will take the biggest leap forward this season?

Which team will take the biggest leap forward this season?
Russell Isabella / USA Today Sports Images

Every season has a team that surprises. Minnesota is an obvious candidate after adding Jimmy Butler, while Milwaukee, Denver, New Orleans and Philadelphia are also often mentioned as teams that could surprise this season.

 
22 of 25

Can Utah keep its head above water without Gordon Hayward?

Can Utah keep its head above water without Gordon Hayward?
Erik Williams / USA Today Sports Images

It was a tough but not unexpected offseason for the Jazz, as Hayward went to Boston. Utah's team now revolves around Rudy Gobert, and the Jazz added rookie Donovan Mitchell and point guard Ricky Rubio.

 
23 of 25

Will the Greek Freak continue as one of the league's stars?

Will the Greek Freak continue as one of the league's stars?
Dan Hamilton / USA Today Sports Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo has grown with each NBA season, peaking last year with 22.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He still only turns 23 in December, so there's reason to believe that he can continue to grow and turn the Bucks into serious contenders down the line.

 
24 of 25

Is this the last year for Dirk Nowitzki?

Is this the last year for Dirk Nowitzki?
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

It's sad to see the Mavericks in rebuilding mode, though Nowitzki remained productive at age 38 last season averaging more than 14 points per game. However, he played only 54 games and is certainly approaching the end of his Hall of Fame career.

 
25 of 25

Can the DeMarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis pairing win in New Orleans?

Can the DeMarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis pairing win in New Orleans?
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

There's isn't a more imposing big man combo than Cousins and Davis, but they didn't exactly win much after uniting late last season. The NBA has become a three-point shooting league, and the Pelicans ranked in the bottom half of the league shooting 35 percent. This pairing is certainly entertaining, but it remains to be seen if it will lead to more consistent wins.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.