Eastern Conference
Heat
Good: Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro were able to step there game up to get into the 8th seed and out of the Play-In Tournament into the 1st round. Andrew Wiggins played well after being one of the main pieces in the Jimmy Butler trade. Davion Mitchell turned out to be the PG the Heat needed into the playoffs as a rugged defender who found his offense in Miami. 1st round pick Kel’el Ware played well working his way into a starting spot. Most of the team is still under contract.
Bad: Playoff Jimmy was missed as Playoff Wiggins didn’t have the same impact as the regular season or step it up. F Jaime Jacquez Jr. was looking like he would take the next step but took a step back and had injuries in year 2. Mitchell needs to be re-signed, but this is looking like his best fit. The Heat are stuck with Terry Rozier’s contact after a down season which makes him harder to move.
Bucks
Good: Giannis had another MVP-esq season and the team was able to make the 5th seed despite injuries to Giannis, major injuries to Damian Lillard, and a period without Bobby Portis. Taking a chance on G Kevin Porter turned out to be good insurance for the Lillard injuries. Young players like Ryan Rollins, A.J. Green, and Andrew Jackson Jr. were able to get valuable experience/playing time. G/F Gary Trent Jr. stepped up his scoring the playoffs.
Bad: A 1st round loss wasn’t in the plans for the Dame/Giannis era and definitely not the injuries. The Kyle Kuzma for Kris Middleton trade is not looking like a good deal so far, despite getting younger. C Brook Lopez contract is up and he may retire with no replacement. Trent and F Taurean Prince are free agents after playing high minutes, as well as C Jericho Sims who they were not able to develop after acquiring him. They are now stuck with 2 big years of Kuzma’s contract and 2 big years left on Dame’s contract with possibly 1 year gone to injury. The future of Giannis is starting to be uncertain with no help around him.
Magic
Good: The Magic worked their way into the 7th seed and out of the Play-In Tournament led by their stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner despite the injuries. G Jalen Suggs was finding his form and leading the team at the PG position before injury. Cole Anthony played well when filling in at PG for Suggs in the regular season. The whole team is under contract and should return.
Bad: The team wasn’t able to get much in the playoffs outside of their big 2 and a hint of C/F Wendell Carter Jr. Injuries slowed the team down momentum wise. Veteran Cory Joseph had to take over the PG position in the playoffs due to ineffective play. SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hasn’t added the shooting touch they are missing despite the contract. The team could use a shooter and/or upgrade at either Guard position, maybe both.
Pistons
Good: Cade Cunningham is finally getting his recognition as one of the top young players in the league as a pure mismatch at PG leading the team to the 6th seed and tough 6 game series vs the Knicks. Adding veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley provided the shooting the team was lacking. C Jalen Duren was healthy this season and played well into the postseason as another long-term piece. Veteran PG Dennis Schroder was a good 6th man/starting presence after being acquired. F Ausar Thompson developed into a defensive starter in year 2 and should be another long-term piece. Veteran Tobias Harris played well and stepped up in the playoffs.
Bad: G Jaden Ivey was injured and missed the good run the team had going into a contract year, but he can replace the role Schroder played, maybe more. Hardway and Beasley both are free agents along with Schroder, C Paul Reed and G/F Lindy Waters III. The team could still use an upgrade at SG that’s more consistent than Beasley, but the shooting he provided along with Hardway is much needed.
