Greatest query going through each NBA Southwest Division staff: Subsequent degree for Wemby, Zion? Can Klay push Mavs?

The 2024-25 NBA season formally ideas off on Oct. 22, and whereas we’re nonetheless over a month away, we’re already gearing up for all of the motion. Which means resetting issues and each staff across the league to determine what their outlook is as soon as the season ideas off. 

Earlier than we will do issues like predicting how staff’s will fare, now we have to see what the largest questions are going through all 30 squads. We’re breaking it down division by division, and we have already checked out these within the Jap Convention, considering the whole lot from will the Celtics repeat as champions to if the Heat will commerce Jimmy Butler. For a deeper dive on all of these divisions you’ll find them right here:

Now we’re going to check out the Southwest division. We have the defending Western Convention champions within the Dallas Mavericks questioning if Klay Thompson is the lacking piece, to seeing if Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies can decide up the place they left off two years in the past. A few of these questions might not get answered till the top of the season, or perhaps a couple years from now, however they’re value fascinated about because the 2024-25 season nears.

Mavericks: Is Klay Thompson the lacking piece?

One of many greatest takeaways from the NBA Finals was that the Mavericks wanted one other playmaker alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. PJ Washington wasn’t impactful sufficient, and did not show to be sufficient of a risk to make the Celtics change something on protection. Neither was Derrick Jones Jr., or any of the handful of rotation gamers Jason Kidd threw in there to attempt to make one thing work. In order that they went out and received among the best 3-point shooters in NBA historical past. Thompson’s resume speaks for itself, and whereas he is simply two years faraway from profitable his fourth championship, he has not been the identical participant since lacking two consecutive years on account of an Achilles and ACL tears. He was as soon as a daily All-Star and All-NBA-level expertise who performed nice protection through the peak of Golden State’s dynasty. Within the years since, he is been something however that. 

Thompson’s coming off his worst season since his second 12 months within the league, and whereas his numbers — 17.9 factors, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 38.7% from 3-point vary — can be a profession 12 months for many gamers within the NBA, his effectivity and effectiveness on protection have taken a dive in every of the final three seasons. If you happen to’re the Mavericks, you may gladly take the abilities of Thompson, even when they’re barely diminished with him being 5 months away from turning 35. However Dallas goes to depend on Thompson in numerous methods than the Warriors have. He is solely ever performed for Golden State and subsequent to Stephen Curry. Will he be snug with primarily standing within the nook recognizing up for 3s? 

There isn’t any doubt he’ll enhance Dallas’ offense, even when his position modifications beneath a brand new, heliocentric system. However we’ll must see if Thompson’s addition can be what the Mavericks have been lacking once they misplaced within the Finals final season. They added another good items, primarily changing the standard protection that Jones supplied with Naji Marshall. Additionally they added Quentin Grimes, who figures to be a barely higher model of Josh Green, whom they traded to Charlotte. However all the eye can be on Thompson to see if he may also help the Mavericks get again to the NBA Finals, and end with a unique end result. 

Rockets: Who does Houston need to construct round?

The Rockets have an actual conundrum going through them over the subsequent two years. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are each eligible for rookie max extensions proper now, and Jabari Smith is eligible for one subsequent summer season, however are they going to pay all these guys? Are all three even value throwing an extreme sum of money at? 

Earlier in the summertime it was reported that the Rockets did not suppose that Sengun or Inexperienced have been value max rookie extensions. That is advantageous, it is honest to have reservations beneath a brand new CBA have been these huge contracts have gotten more and more tough to commerce (simply take a look at the Bulls). However at the least one among these guys is not like the opposite, and the truth that Sengun hasn’t gotten a brand new contract but is frankly, sort of wild. Sengun’s season was reduce quick on account of harm, however previous to that he was averaging profession highs throughout the board. He completed third for Most Improved Participant, however Houston is probably going utilizing the run they went on in the direction of the top of the 12 months with him sidelined as a motive why they won’t need to give him the complete $225 million he is capable of make on a brand new deal. However of the younger guys on the staff at present — Reed Sheppard excluded — he is one of the best they have, however possibly Houston does not see it that manner. 

Inexperienced has proven promise as a high-volume scorer, however he’ll be coming into Yr 4 and he nonetheless struggles with effectivity points throughout the board. He does not determine to be an All-Star degree participant proper now, and if the Rockets cannot foresee him blossoming into that caliber of participant within the subsequent 3-4 years, being hesitant to pay him is smart. Particularly when Smith’s extension is due subsequent summer season, who may also must take a major leap to warrant a max extension as properly. Houston is trending in the best course, and might be contending for a play-in spot, however they’re going to want to determine what course they need to take this roster going ahead.

Grizzlies: Can the Grizz decide up the place they left off?

The Grizzlies most likely watched the rise of the Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards final season and mentioned “Oh, simply you wait.” Memphis was once the belle of the ball with Ja Morant seen as the long run American face of the league. However a misplaced season for Memphis swept them to the facet, permitting for Edwards and the Timberwolves to fill that emptiness. However the Grizzlies will enter the 2024-25 season with no hefty suspension going through Morant, and with a wholesome Brandon Clarke again within the fold. They’ve among the best younger cores within the league that additionally contains Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, and the lowered expectations of final season allowed GG Jackson to flourish. It additionally landed the Grizzlies Zach Edey with the ninth general decide within the draft. Jackson will miss the beginning of the season after present process foot surgical procedure, however when he is wholesome he confirmed he is usually a beneficial piece within the rotation after averaging 14.6 factors whereas capturing 35.7% from 3-point vary. Edey’s worth goes to be decided on how Memphis makes use of him, as a result of at 7-foot-4 he is already going to be a high quality rim protector. We additionally noticed throughout his collegiate profession that he is an excellent screener, one thing that Morant ought to love in pick-and-roll conditions.

However the NBA panorama is totally different now in comparison with simply two seasons in the past when the Grizzlies have been within the championship dialog. All however three groups within the Western Convention are within the playoff hunt, and actually that dwindles down to 2 groups — Utah and Portland — when you think about San Antonio might be a riser this 12 months with the pure ascension of Victor Wembanyama. The Grizzlies had among the best groups on each side of the ground previous to final 12 months, working at a break-neck tempo and showcasing their athleticism that begins with Morant. They have not misplaced any main gamers, and have really added guys who will solely add to their depth. However Memphis cannot assume they will rekindle the magic that had the Grizzlies end second within the Western Convention in 2022 and 2023. We’ll must see if the identical components that received them close to the highest of the West two occasions already can be fruitful as soon as once more now that their yearlong absence from rivalry is over.

Williamson performed 70 video games final season, a outstanding feat for somebody who has solely reached the 60+ video games performed mark only one different time in 5 years since being drafted No. 1 general within the 2019 NBA Draft. Accidents have plagued Williamson’s skilled profession, however when he is wholesome, you may put him amongst one of the best 20 gamers within the league. The way in which he can change the sport along with his dominating presence is one thing only a few gamers within the league are able to doing, and we all know he is an All-Star degree participant when he is wholesome. We received a totally wholesome Williamson final season, and whereas his numbers have been profession lows throughout the board, the Pelicans received 49 video games and made it to the playoffs. New Orleans needed to undergo the Play-In spherical and their first-round collection towards Oklahoma Metropolis with out Williamson, who was sidelined with a hamstring pressure, nevertheless it was one of the best iteration of the Pelicans we have seen since they drafted Zion.

The success of final season, and it being reduce quick on account of harm within the playoffs, ought to imply we might be in retailer for one of the best season from Williamson but. Whereas final season was seen as one of the best for the Pelicans, it did not begin out that manner, as there have been rumblings of Williamson being sad with how he was getting used firstly of the season. Then there was the poor exhibiting on the In-Season Event semifinals towards the Lakers, through which Williamson’s weight was a subject of dialog. However after the All-Star break the Pelicans started surging, and had it not been for the premature harm to Williamson, New Orleans would’ve put up a greater struggle towards OKC. However for the reason that finish of the season, there’s been numerous tales and photos exhibiting a extra slimmed down Williamson, and he is reportedly lost 25 pounds for the reason that In-Season Event. Williamson’s measurement and weight have all the time been spotlighted as many puzzled if his physique would maintain up over the course of an NBA profession. However now it seems as if he is in one of the best form of his life. If that is the case, and he is capable of keep wholesome, we might witness a profession 12 months from Williamson.

Spurs: What is going to Wembanyama do subsequent?

Victor Wembanyama got here to the NBA as marketed in his rookie season, and by the top of the 12 months we have been having conversations about whether or not or not he ought to be profitable Defensive Participant of the Yr. That is simply how a lot he impacts the sport on that finish of the ground. He walked away with All Rookie honors and Rookie of the Yr on a San Antonio staff that began to determine issues out by season’s finish. And through the offseason the Spurs solely improved by including Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul, the latter of whom has a confirmed observe document of turning round rebuilding franchises, simply ask Oklahoma Metropolis and Phoenix. After a rookie season with now dependable level guard who might get Wembanyama the ball the place he wants it, he’ll now have a person actually nicknamed the “Level God,” feeding him the ball, in addition to educating incoming rookie guard Stephon Castle, whom the Spurs chosen fourth general within the draft.

Each transfer the Spurs have made this summer season facilities round establishing the absolute best state of affairs for Wembanyama to thrive. He managed to succeed even in a not-so-ideal surroundings final season, and now he has one that’s higher suited to his skills. That ought to be scary for the remainder of the league, which is one thing Wembanyama’s already warned us about after incomes a silver medal on the Paris Olympics. Whereas San Antonio will not be hoisting up the Larry O’Brien trophy subsequent June, might this staff legitimately problem for the playoffs? If San Antonio is aggressive meaning Wembanyama has taken a big leap, which might additionally imply he can be within the All-Star dialog and maybe All-NBA if he actually places the league on discover. It would not be unrealistic. We noticed Luka Doncic do each of these issues, whereas ending fourth in MVP voting in his second 12 months within the league. Doncic was thought-about a generational expertise when he got here within the NBA, so too is Wembanyama, so the ceiling on what he’ll do that season feels limitless.