Less than a month separates basketball fans from the magical nights of the NBA. Along with the favorites, some promising teams may surprise and contend for the top spots in the standings. Let’s analyze five rising franchises in the NBA that have the potential to battle for the playoffs and, who knows, even make a splash in a conference final.
Indiana Pacers
In recent years, the Pacers have undergone transformations aimed at revitalizing a team that hadn’t competed at a high level for quite some time. In 2022, the franchise made its boldest trade in years, sending its best player, the 6’9” center Domantas Sabonis, to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for elite shooter Buddy Hield, veteran Tristan Thompson, and young prodigy Tyrese Halliburton.
Although Sabonis struggled to assume the role of a true superstar and elevate the franchise’s status, the trade initially raised some eyebrows among fans. However, any doubts faded when Halliburton took the court in Indiana. From the very first games, he demonstrated that he could be the franchise player, excelling in scoring and assists, and quickly connecting with the passionate Pacers fanbase.
The franchise transformed from a mere bottom dweller into a young, fun, and talented team. With Halliburton as their new face and experienced coach Rick Carlisle at the helm, the Pacers made a significant addition in 2023 by bringing in former All-Star Pascal Siakam, a championship player with the Toronto Raptors.
With this revamped roster, the team showed promise, but Halliburton’s injury hindered them from showcasing their true potential. With a franchise player that resonates with the fans, an experienced coach, talented supporting players, and, most importantly, key players healthy, the Indiana Pacers are set to positively surprise in the upcoming season and contend for top positions in the Eastern Conference.
Houston Rockets
Those who closely follow the NBA understand the importance of having a superstar capable of carrying a team through tough moments. In recent years, the Houston Rockets embraced a "tank" strategy after failing to win with star James Harden, beginning their journey of rebuilding in search of a new franchise player.
This restructuring led to several years of underperformance, but it also allowed the Texas franchise to accumulate promising young talent for the future. One of these prospects, Jalen Green, was the second overall pick in 2021, bringing excitement with his explosive offensive ability and shooting potential. However, as seasons passed, Jalen struggled to assume a leadership role, displaying inconsistencies and limitations that stalled his growth.
As a result, the Rockets became a roster full of promising young players but lacking clear prospects for major improvements. That changed last season when Turkish center Alperen Şengün made an impressive leap in his development, emerging as a key player for the franchise with his versatility.
Of course, the team still needs the development of other roster pieces to achieve success. However, Şengün’s rise, combined with the potential of other players expected to grow this year, such as defensive standout Amen Thompson and Green himself, suggests that the franchise once led by Hakeem Olajuwon could pleasantly surprise in the 2024/2025 season, possibly securing a playoff spot for the first time since 2020.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings had their surprise moment in the 2022/2023 season when they finished third in the Western Conference, playing engaging and solid basketball that ended a 16-year playoff drought. A key reason for this leap was the addition of talented center Domantas Sabonis, who combined his intelligence and playmaking ability with the speed and decisiveness of young star De'Aaron Fox.
With this new formation, the team entered last season with high expectations, but unfortunately, those didn’t translate on the court. Both Sabonis and Fox maintained their star levels, but the role players who were crucial to the team's success the previous year couldn’t keep up, leading to a disappointing tenth place in the Western Conference in the 2023/2024 season.
With this underperformance, many began to doubt the team’s ability to achieve greatness, and the Kings fell off the radar among the Western Conference heavyweights. In response to this decline, the management pursued former All-Star DeMar DeRozan from the struggling Chicago Bulls. However, even with DeRozan’s arrival, analysts remained skeptical about a potential resurgence for the California team, primarily due to DeRozan’s recent playoff performances.
While DeMar still puts up solid offensive numbers, his fit within the team raises concerns. His isolation-heavy playstyle may hinder the development of a collective and dynamic team. On the flip side, his ability to perform in clutch moments could be a vital asset for a young team lacking playoff experience. If coach Mike Brown, who has proven his abilities in the past, can maximize DeRozan’s potential, the chances for positive results seem promising. Perhaps DeRozan is the missing piece that could help the Kings rise as a formidable force in the league again.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic showcased an intriguing performance last season, securing fifth place in the Eastern Conference and exciting fans worldwide. The Magic is indeed in a long-term rebuilding process, and the natural trajectory of this phase is evolution. However, it’s worth noting that next season, the Orlando team has every chance to stand out as a contender in the Eastern Conference, needing only minor adjustments.
The roster has all the ingredients necessary for a franchise to achieve the coveted NBA title: solid defense, promising offense, and a young star capable of stepping up in critical moments. Paolo Banchero is undoubtedly the face of this franchise, possessing vital skills to become a consistent superstar in the future. However, the team isn’t solely dependent on him; it boasts a depth of talent that makes the Magic one of the most balanced rosters in the NBA.
Speaking of stars, Paolo isn’t alone in that regard, as the team also features current world champion Franz Wagner from Germany, a forward with good height, shooting ability, and above-average finishing skills for his age. He should share the spotlight with Banchero. As if having two future stars wasn’t enough, the team also includes solid role players and young talents with immense growth potential.
One of the young team’s significant strengths is its energetic defense, capable of neutralizing the top teams in the league, like the current NBA champion Boston Celtics. The offense, however, remains an area for improvement, but the solution lies within the roster. It’s natural for a young team to experience inconsistencies in scoring, but the natural development of its two stars should manifest in the upcoming season. This improvement could enable the Orlando Magic to balance their offense and defense, making them competitive against the league’s elite.
San Antonio Spurs
It’s challenging to envision how the second-to-last team in the Western Conference can positively surprise in the next NBA season, but it all comes down to one exclusive factor: Wembanyama. The French giant captured the league’s attention long before he was eligible for the draft, and when the Spurs secured the first pick in 2023, there was no doubt who they should select.
At that moment, the Spurs were one of the league’s worst teams, lacking players of real potential, which meant that even with Wembanyama on the roster, the franchise struggled throughout the season. For context, the center was by far the player with the most blocks of the season, exhibiting a defensive impact never seen before in a rookie. Still, San Antonio finished as one of the league’s worst defensive teams.
From a management perspective, it might have been wiser to continue tanking to contend for another promising young player in next year’s draft. However, with such a special player like Wembanyama, that process becomes more complicated. In his rookie year, he astonished the league with impressive statistics. The arrival of veteran Chris Paul, who should greatly assist in organizing the team, sets the stage for Wembanyama to make a significant leap in his development.
Wembanyama is undoubtedly the type of player who can win games simply by being on the court, thanks to his skillset and physical condition. Losing with such a talent will become increasingly difficult, which is why management may adopt a bolder strategy for the upcoming season. There will undoubtedly be stars interested in playing alongside Wemby, and fans are already pinning their hopes on Trae Young as the team’s biggest desire. With a bold trade involving a star, the Spurs could jump from second-to-last place straight into the NBA playoffs, making them the team with the most potential to surprise this season.
