SOUTHEAST DIVISION PREVIEW

This division is a very tough one indeed. Besides the Hawks all teams have some very high top end talent and looking at all the rosters any of Miami, Orlando, Washington and Charlotte could end up on top of this division come seasons end.

ORLANDO MAGIC - predicted 3rd in the division. 

The Orlando Magic, have made it abundantly clear they are here to win! Even though they have a youngish core, led by Trae Young, they have the firepower to get it done.

Gav has made some moves to solid his team, Getting Steven Adams and Andrew Wiggins. We all know what kinds of players they are and will most likely continue that level of play. Where The Magics wild cards are, are in their young talent that are already contributing.  Obviously Trae will be a multiple all star, but the continual development of P.J Washington, Donte DiVincenzo and Markelle Fultz. Fultz had been showing some signs of why he was the number one pick a few years back, but unfortunately he couldn’t catch aa break and had a season ending knee injury.

All things point to the Magic having a very competitive season and seems will only become more so as the years progress.

Best Player - Trae Young

Surprised Contributor  - Josh Jackson

WASHINGTON WIZARDS - Predicted 2nd in the division

The Wizards have been making win now moves ever since they got a sniff of the playoffs last season, and it has all come together nicely for GM, Josh.

The pairing of Devin Booker and Damian Lillard is a lethal one indeed. However can they both work together. Is there enough shots to go round?

Capella is a real nice fit along side those two, who obviously can score but are good facilitators for a big man with Capellas skill set. His defence and rim protection along with Larry Nance Jr, will help balance out the short falls of Lillard and Booker, who are capable defenders, but not specialists by any means.

The injury to T.J Warren who had a break out season in the bubble, was a big blow to Washington. Although the diagnosis isn’t season ending, he is still out indefinitely .

Josh drafted some nice pieces that seems to be able contribute right away. Desmond Bane, being 22 already with a real strong body is ready to play in the nba. They also have some later picked guys, like Nah Reid and Tillman who have showed they can contribute too.

I doubt the Wizards will have the best defensive numbers, but the question is do you want to get into a shootout with Dame Dollar and Book? i doubt it.

 Best Player - Damian Lillard

 Surprised Contributor - Larry Nance Jr

CHARLOTTE HORNETS - Predicted 1st in the division

The Hornets led by the tantalising Luka Doncic can definitely make some noise. When Craig took over the team, he immediately began making win now moves, which makes complete sense when you have one of the best players in the world on the team.

Luke will continue to dominate in almost every aspect and will lead this team to plenty of wins.

Craig took a risk on ageing vet Chris Paul and his monster contract. Paul doesn’t rely on athleticism of any kind so there isn’t any reason why he can’t continue to be a top tier point guard this season. 

Nurkic is a nice one to hold down the paint, however he does have the shaky injury history, and this season seems to be no different. He has undergone surgery to repair his fractured wrist and will be re evaluated in six weeks.

Next in line may be Daniel Theis, or does Craig throw the number 2 overall pick, James Wiseman in to some meaningful minutes. He has the size and athleticism, but is still a rookie with a learning curve ahead of him.

A nice pickup in free agency was Jae Crowder. a 3 and D glue guy, who will definitely have a role.

Best Player - Luke Doncic

Surpise Contributor - James Wiseman

MIAMI HEAT - predicted 4th in the division

The Miami Heat, Led by GM Pistol Pete, are a hard team to count out due to a number of reasons. 

One being the brains behind the operation, Pete. He has shown he can put together rosters, that might not look like real winners on paper, but he goes all Moneyball and makes it work.

Two, Ben Simmons. Simmons will continue to dominate as a 6’10” point forward. Although the jumper doesn’t look like its coming along to quickly, he will still be a beast.

The continual injuries to Jonathan Issac are devastating. He has sky high offensive and defensive potential, and has shown a lot already, just hasn’t been able to string together a lot of games. Him being out for the season is a blow for Miami.

Gallinari was a nice move on FA day, to acquire some veteran talent and shooting.

I liked the pick up of Bobby Portis, he is showing some stuff and is on a very friendly contract.

CJ McCollum, the 2nd best player on the team was in for a big year, but seems to have been bit by the injury bug too. It is a fractured foot and reports say he may miss around 4 weeks, which isn’t to bad in the scheme of things.

Miami will be competitive, but art predicted to be a top 3 team in this division.

Best Player - Ben Simmons

Surprise Contributor - Bobby Portis

ATLANTA HAWKS

The hawks over the previous season and this offseason have entered a rebuild. Trading pieces like Embiid, Rose, Derozan for picks and high drafted talent.

The Hawks will not be very competitive this season and id put money on their pick being well int he lottery. which may be part of the GMs plan.

They do have some nice young talent, in Bagley, Hunter, Reddish and Hayes. They all have high ceilings and time will tell if they reach it.

Bagley has had his fair share of injuries, but he has been in the league a few years now. Its time he starts to show why he was such a high draft pick. 

Hunter, a little older than usual for a lottery pick, but he has already shown he can play and contribute in the NBA.

Hayes and Reddish, both on the raw side when drafted, but have shown nice flashed. Reddish has the size and tools to be a great NBA wing.

The Hawks will have some wins, but most notches will be in the L column. Look for the Hawks to ride out the season, focused on development and looking towards future drafts.