Division Preview � South-East

The South-East Division runs deep with talent stacked organisation on the precipice of greatness. The division has superstar talent embedded in each roster with the likes of Rookie of the Year projection Jalen Green, young All-star candidate in the making Trae Young, the Old meets New pairing of Luka Doncic and Chris Paul, the franchise favourites Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns, and triple threat CJ McCollum, Malcolm Brogdon, and Ben Simmons*.

Movement has been rife within the league, and the South-East division has seen it�s fair share.

In season 20-21, the division produced the following records for each team � some fierce competition and it has arguably become even more potent.

This is sure to be shaken with the additions that each organisation has seen for better and for worse. The NSL is a behemoth ready to chew teams up and spit them out, just as quickly as all seemed harmonious. We take a Reader�s Digest view of each team heading into season 21-22.

TEAM BY TEAM

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks were patient in the off-season, biding their time in their decision-making. A trait of GM bandrsn10 that I stands out as a highly influential trait. Not pleased with the season previous, the Hawks enter with a more potent attacking line, and a big catalyst for this renaissance is the potential Rookie of the Year Jalen Green. Atlanta will let him rip! The acquisition of the two Kellys, Kelly Oubre and Kelly Olynyk were fabulous for their depth. But most influential impact on this franchise are the two partners pieces for Green to unleash, Myles Turner and Devonte Graham. The Hawks will look to rise in the South-East.

Season Staring 5 Projection

PG � Devonte Graham

SG � Jalen Green

SF � De�Andre Hunter

PF � Marvin Bagley III

C �Myles Turner

6^th Man � Kelly Oubre

Orlando Magic

The Magic were on the outside looking in during season 20-21. They just couldn�t find that extra something, which is sure to be still weighing on the minds of the Orlando office. GM gc6, never one to rest, has looked to improve with each movement. The recruiting team should be praised! Tobias Harris is in, Daniel Gafford is in, Lauri Markkenen is in, and Daniel Theis is in! This Magic roster has improved significantly. And not only have they extended in their squad depth with proven talent, they also drafted one of the most exciting talents in the draft in Jalen Suggs. All positive moves for the Magic; an exciting off-season, and the final push that GM gc6 would have hoped for.

Season Staring 5 Projection

PG � Trae Young

SG � Dejounte Murray

SF � Tobias Harris

PF � Lauri Markkenen

C � Daniel Gafford

6^th Man � Jalen Suggs

Charlotte Hornets

At the end of the 20-21 season, the Hornet entered the playoffs with a 14 game win-streak.  The Hornets were fierce, and they were ruthless. Spiritual and on-court leader Chris Paul was very vocal about his predictions for the franchise, predictions that were made even harder to swollen by season�s end. GM CraigB has manufactured a roster that runs deep, runs with a balance of youth and experience, and runs on both ends of the floor. The loss of Rajon Rondo and Alex Caruso was a sad day for Charlotte. But with the heavy hearts weeping the loss of the duo, the applauded the entry of the FA Day team. Kaminsky, McGee, Batum, and Bradley; if the Hornets needed anything, it was depth, and they sure value-added. Luka Doncic is elite; not just elite but also an MVP candidate and favourite before the season has started. After their early exit in the Playoffs against the 7^th seed Philadelphia 76ers, the Hornets will enter this season will a chip on their shoulder.   

Season Staring 5 Projection

PG � Chris Paul

SG � Luka Doncic

SF � Jerami Grant

PF � Chris Boucher

C � Frank Kaminsky

6^th Man � Jordan Clarkson

Washington Wizards

If the South-East didn�t seem tough enough, the Washington Wizards exist� The Wizards were phenomenal in season 20-21 going 54-28. But the question is Have they improved? The answer is Yes, in ways. GM Joshua has been super busy, lighting up phones across the league. His value adding mentality surely comes from a very open wound after their first round exit in a clean sweep against the Indiana Pacers. The Wizards boast one of the most impressive and terrifying combinations in Towns and Booker, but they needed a fascilitator, enter Lonzo Ball. They required an alternate scoring threat and big body, enter Aaron Gordon. The Wizards saw the writing on the wall and they potentially over reliance on their dynamic duo and found ways to go deeper. Further to these additions, an improved Jalen Brunson could be incredibly helpful. Another organisation with a chip on it�s shoulder heading into season 21-22.

Season Staring 5 Projection

PG � Lonzo Ball

SG � Devin Booker

SF � Terrence Ross

PF � Aaron Gordon

C � Karl-Anthony Towns

6^th Man � Jalen Brunson

Miami Heat

Another team that ended season 20-21 on the outside looking in. They managed to make it to the Play-In tournament but had their run stifled by division rival the Orlando Magic. Speak to the Miami faithful and they will openly tell you that the effort to even make it their was an achievement in its own way. The Heat were riddled with injuries, and they never seemed at their best in the season. A resurrection is exactly what the organisation will be hoping for. GM Pistolpk hasn�t rushed anything. He has been patient and calculated. Their off-season was a step in the right direction, with one overwhelming headache. The Heat added NSL darling and scoring threat Rudy Gay, rotational depth and journey-man Nemanja Bjelica, and stretch PF phoenix Bobby Portis. But by far the most important addition and move was the move for Malcolm Brogdon. *Ben Simmons is in the very throes of Dante�s Inferno, well and truly lurking in the realms of purgatory. Should he find his way through to the other side, GM Pistolpk will be crossing his fingers that nirvana is waiting.

PG � Malcolm Brogdon

SG � CJ McCollum

SF � Rudy Gay

PF � Bobby Portis

C � Mohamed Bamba (Mo)

6^th Man � Nemanja Bjelica

*Jonathan Issac & Ben Simmons - Recovery Pending

SEASON PROJECTIONS

This division is super competitive. The season will be hot, and the East looks to be incredibly strong in the upcoming season. The GMs have done a gallant job to move and manufacture their rosters. Value add seems to be the phrase most commonly used when talking about these teams. I would like to wish all the teams the best of luck in the season. One thing is clear to see by these teams, the basketball on offer could be some of the best of any division.