The 2023-2024 NBA season is just a day away so I want to go through each NBA teaming give my take as to who or what I think is the biggest X-Factor for each team heading into this season. Now, what I mean by X-Factor I'm not just specifically
Golden State Warriors: Chris Paul
Will they be able to make it work with Chris Paul? Will Chris Paul be able to fit in with this team? What kind of role will Chris Paul play on this Golden State team? Will he be able to hold up for an entire season? Will everyone buy into their roles? One of the biggest questions I have for this team is will Chris Paul start or become their sixth man? Last season, Golden State starting five had the best plus minus in the league. However, it was a huge drop off once Golden State went to their bench. Chris Paul is the X-Factor, as he provides stability and covers up a lot of their bench issues. That's if Chris Paul comes off the bench. The outcome of the Chris Paul situation will play a huge part for Golden State this season.
Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively
Depth and having a legit second star next to Luka Doncic used to be the biggest concern with Dallas but I believe they've done a good job in addressing those concerns throughout this offseason by adding Kyrie Irving (at the trade deadline last season), Grant Williams, Dereck Lively, Seth Curry, Richaun Holmes, Derrick Jones, Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Ultimately, along with figuring out how Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving work together, the biggest X-Factor to me is Dereck Lively. The reason I feel the play of Dereck Lively is very important is due to the fact he can provide what nobody else could do which is rim protection and anchor a defense. One of Dallas biggest concerns is their defense and their lack of rim protection which Lively projects to be good at in the NBA. I know it's a lot to ask for a raw rookie prospect in Lively to contribute to a team who's looking to make a deep playoff run. However, if Lively can make an impact (specifically on the defensive end), it would do wonders for Dallas.
Denver Nuggets: Their Young Role Players
Coming off a NBA Championship, Denver has who a lot of people would consider the best player in the NBA in Nikola Jokic. Jokic will be Jokic, Jamal Murray proved he's the perfect co-star to Jokic and showed that he elevates his game in the biggest moments. Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon are the perfect complements to Jokic and Murray. And the rest of the roster fulfills their roles. Losing Bruce Brown certainly hurts Denver and this season their biggest X-Factor they'll be relying more on their young guys to step up and contribute more, and play bigger roles throughout the season. Players, such as, Christian Braun, Zeke Nnaji, Peyton Watson, and Julian Strawther. These young players are going to have to step up and show that they can make an impact and contribute in their quest to repeat as NBA Champions.
Houston Rockets: Jabari Smith Jr.
The Houston Rockets are another team where they’re a lot of talented young guys. Houston has an array of young guys who can breakout, where you can say this guy is the X-Factor who could make or break their season. Houston has done a good job in assembling talent, it’s been about making these players fit together. Which hasn’t been the case over the few seasons. However, they hired Ime Udoka, Jalen Green has All-Star potential and he’s certainly a big piece for them this season and moving forward. Their biggest X-Factor to me is Jabari Smith Jr. To me, Jabari Smith Jr. is the guy who determines how much longer Houston is in their rebuild. The acquisitions of Fred Van Vleet, Dillion Brooks, Jeff Green, and Jock Lawndale is an indication that Houston is tired of losing and if Houston wants to take a leap, it depends on if their young guys (particularly Jabari Smith Jr. & Jalen Green) takes a leap.
Los Angeles Clippers: The health of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
Can Kawhi Leonard and Paul George stay healthy? This has been the question for them ever since the star duo arrived in LA. When the two of them are healthy they’ve shown to be real contenders but if they are not healthy then it’s a different story. They have a good roster around them but it all comes down to Kawhi Leonard and Paul staying healthy.
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis to me is without a doubt their biggest X-Factor. If the Lakers want to win another championship then Anthony Davis needs to be their best player. The health and play of Anthony Davis will decide what seed they are at the end of the year. The Lakers have done a great job this offseason in improving the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. And now they are at point where they can make a deep playoff run just like last season. However, if the Lakers wants to get over the hurdle then LeBron James and Anthony Davis must stay healthy and Anthony Davis needs to take the reins from LeBron as the best player on the Lakers.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis will start their season without Ja Morant, who is out for the first 25 games due to off the court issues. Personally, I don’t believe it will be as big of an issue as some may believe. Over the past two seasons, Ja Morant has missed an extended period of time and Memphis has been able to stay afloat without him. However, they do look a little different due to them losing a couple of key players in the offseason (Dillion Brooks & Tyus Jones) so it’s not a guarantee that they will take care of business without Morant. Ultimately, I believe that the first 25 games will decide how the first rest of their season will look like. Will Memphis struggle to remain a top four seed in the West? Or will they be remain a top four seed in West? To me, it all depends on the play of Jaren Jackson Jr. Can he take another leap offensively and hold down the fort? And defensively can he improve on his fouling issues and become a much better rebounder?
Minnesota Timberwolves: Karl-Anthony Towns
A big part of Minnesota’s success this season will depend on whether Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert can mesh together or not. We didn’t get the opportunity to see them two play a lot together last season due to Karl-Anthony Towns being injured. When the two of them did play together last season the fit wasn’t there. Since that time, Minnesota looked a lot different as a team (due to the development of their younger guys & new additions to the roster). Ultimately, it will come down to whether can be that All-Star/All-NBA caliber player like we all know he’s capable of being. Anthony Edwards is trending upwards and I really like Jaden McDaniels long-term. However, the success of Karl-Anthony Towns will determine their true ceiling as a team.
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson
For the New Orleans Pelicans it’s Zion Williamson. If Zion is not healthy then this team can not do the things they wish to do. The Pelicans have a good roster and overall they’ve build a strong roster but it all precedate whether Zion is healthy or not.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Chet Holmgren
This is an easy answer to me. The X-Factor for the Oklahoma City Thunder is Chet Holmgren. Holmgren provides everything that the Thunder were lacking last season. How good Chet Holmgren will be will determine whether the Thunder are a play-in team fighting for a playoff spot or being a top six seed in the West. If Chet Holmgren is everything I believe he could be and if everything goes right and multiple players make leaps this season. Then, the Thunder will be better than expected and would be real sleepers in the West.
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal
The Phoenix Suns are another team where you can point to health but I believe the role and play of Bradley Beal as the third option is crucial for Phoenix. Phoenix doesn’t have a point guard on the roster and as of right now will do it by committee, with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker being the main facilitators. It’ll be very interesting to see how he operates as an offensive facilitator next to Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. If Phoenix wants to win the championship then the health and how the big three gel together will be very crucial.
Portland Trailblazers: DeAndre Ayton
With Portland officially in rebuild mode they’re in a low pressure situation with I believe is perfect for DeAndre Ayton. DeAndre Ayton is the X-Factor for Portland. Ayton gets to hit the reset button in Portland. If Ayton can reach anywhere near his full potential with Portland then he can form a nice guard-big combo with Scoot Henderson. Depending how good Scoot Henderson is and Ayton motor can improve and he becomes more consistent then Portland might be good sooner than expected.
Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray
After having a breakout season last year, Sacramento are running it back with mostly the same squad. Keegan Murray is the X-Factor for Sacramento. Keegan Murray was their 4th overall pick last year and had a steady rookie season who also showed a lot of promise in the playoffs. Keegan Murray has a lot of upside as a two-way player. Sacramento has a lot of faith that Keegan Murray can become a very good NBA player. As Keegan Murray becomes more integrated in Sacramento offense, if he can make a leap then Sacramento can take that next step towards being contenders.
San Antonio Spurs: Jeremy Sochan
Victor Wembanyama is receiving all the headlines in San Antonio. However, I’m interested in seeing how Jeremy Sochan fulfills the role of being their starting point, along with seeing how the rest of the roster shapes up. There’s a lot of question marks around this roster but I like the young pieces on this roster especially with how they complement Victor Wembanyama. How soon San Antonio makes it back in the picture with the rest of West and how these young guys develops around Victor Wembanyama. It’ll be fun to see how they build their roster.
Utah Jazz: Their Young Players
The Utah Jazz are currently in the beginning stages of their rebuild so there’s no pressure on them right now. Utah’s X-Factor are their young players. Seeing how the rest of the roster develops (Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Brice Sensabaugh) will be a sight to see.
These are my opinions on my X-Factors for Every NBA Team!