Every NBA team’s “X Factor”

Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson

With John Collins out of Atlanta and a full year under Quin Snyder, it seems Jalen Johnson will get far more run this year. In preseason, he has already showed off his impressive playmaking and his clear connection with Trae Young. If the Hawks wish to make the playoffs, Jalen Johnson might be the key. He has the potential to take the Hawks offense and defense to the next level as a Swiss Army knife type of player. While his jumpshot leaves much to be desired, there is not much else he can't do. He may turn out to be the perfect connecting piece for this Hawks team.

Boston Celtics

Jordan Walsh

After the numerous trades the Celtics have made in their extremely active offseason, they are depleted of most of their depth. If Jordan Walsh can be the instant impact rookie I believe he can, he could prove to be a vital piece in the Celtics rotation. He has potential as an extremely versatile defender, good and active cutter, and a competent shooter. If he can string together a good rookie season, he could be exactly what the Celtics need to make a run at the title.

Brooklyn Nets

Ben Simmons

This new looks Nets team is the perfect fit around Simmons with lots of shooting and defense. All this team needs now is a bounce back year from Ben Simmons.

Charlotte Hornets

Mark Williams

Mark Williams showed lots flashes last season. Now with Plumlee gone, he will likely be the full time starter for the entire season. Mark provides something the Hornets have not had for a long time, a defensive anchor. He could be a major contributor to solving the Hornets defensive issues and if he can steadily improve on offense he may be the franchise center for the Hornets going forward.

Chicago Bulls

Coby White

After the loss of Lonzo Ball, the Bulls have had a clear void at the point guard spot. Previously the Bulls have tried solutions in the likes of Ayo Dosunmu and Alex Caruso. Now it's Coby's turn as the young guard gets to show what he's capable of as a starter. Coby is a very well rounded player, but the key to the Bulls success this season could be his playmaking. That is what the Bulls have lacked in Lonzo's absence, so if Coby can partially fill that void offensively and continue to be an efficient shooter, he might just be the reason the Bulls remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley

After a strong DPOY campaign that ultimately saw him placing 3rd, Mobley comes into this upcoming season with a clear shot at the award. He can make the Caviliers a top 3 defense. But the real X-Factor is his offense. Sharing the front court with another big man in Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley will need to improve upon his shooting in both the midrange and beyond the arc if the Cavs offense is to reach another level. If Mobley can accomplish this it could be the reason the Cavs find themselves deep in the playoffs.

HM: Isaac Okoro

Dallas Mavericks

Derrick Livley II

After a disappointing season, the Mavericks drafted center Derrick Livley II. With his only competition being Richaun Holmes and Dwight Powell, Livley could see himself in the starting role sometime throughout the season. If he can be a good play-finisher and rim protector as he projects to be, he can help the Mavericks take that next step towards their aspirations for a title.

Denver Nuggets

Christian Braun

After a strong rookie season on the way to a championship, Braun will be expected to take a larger role this season after the loss of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. If Braun can improve upon his production he may be able to help the Nuggets to another championship.

Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham

Now back and healthy, Cade has to remind the fans the type of player he can be in this league. He had a decent year until injury last season. Now back and healthy, if he can have a MIP type year, he can bring the young Pistons to a Play-In appearance.

Golden State Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga

With Draymond injured going into the season, Kuminga is the only true power forward in the rotation. The addition of Chris Paul could help take his game to the next level. If Kuminga can take strides on offense and on defense, he could keep the Warriors title window open yet another year.

Houston Rockets

Jabari Smith Jr.

The original pick here was Fred VanVleet, because if he has a great year there is a chance the Rockets could sneak into the Play-in Tournament. But, if Jabari Smith Jr. has a breakout year, it not only changes their current situation, but drastically improves the outlook on their future. The potential for him to be an elite switchable defender and deadly shooter from beyond the arc is far more beneficial for the Rockets in the long run than a good year from a 29 year old Fred VanVleet. With the addition of Dillon Brooks, a defensive leap from Jabari Smith could help them become a respected defense in the league.

HM: Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks

Indiana Pacers

Jarace Walker

One of the most well rounded rookies in the class, Jarace brings something the Pacers haven't had yet, a true swiss army knife. Myles Turner hasn't had a defensive running mate like Jarace Walker, a versatile, smart defender, who can guard 1 through 5 and get in passing lanes. Jarace could help the Pacers make it to the postseason by elevating their defense to the next level and being a great connecting piece offensively.

HM: Ben Mathurin, Obi Toppin.

Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard

Before getting injured, Kawhi was playing great in the playoffs against the Suns. Now going into this new season fully healthy the Clippers have extremely high expectations. Rules on load management have changed dramatically, meaning Kawhi and Paul George will likely play more in the regular season than before. If they both can remain healthy the Clippers have a shot at bringing home their first championship.

HM: Paul George

Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Reaves

After a great playoff campaign last season helping the Lakers reach the conference finals before losing to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets, Reaves comes into this upcoming season with a more well defined role as a third option and secondary/tertiary playmaker depending on how D'Angelo Russell is used. If he can continue to thrive in this role he can help this improved Lakers roster bring home banner 18.

HM: Christian Wood

Memphis Grizzlies

Desmond Bane

With Ja Morant gone for the first 25 games, Desmond Bane will likely be expected to be the teams first option. If Bane can be productive and keep the team afloat along with Jaren Jackson Jr., it will help their chances significantly in the regular season. On top of that, if he can keep similar production when Ja comes back, he could be the reason the Grizzlies make a strong playoff push.

HM: Jaren Jackson Jr, Derrick Rose, Jake LaRavia

Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler

The Heat lost 2 key pieces this offseason in Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, and the East has improved greatly across the board. If the Heat wish to remain competitive in the regular season, Jimmy Butler will have to take things much more seriously. If he isn't giving 100% the Miami Heat could find themselves in another play-in situation or worse.

HM: Josh Richardson, Haywood Highsmith

Milwaukee Bucks

Khris Middleton

After aquiring Damian Lillard, the Bucks are all in for the next few seasons. With Jrue Holiday gone there is an obvious defensive question mark on the perimeter. If Khris Middleton can get back to somewhat close to his 2021 self, he will be the deciding factor if the Bucks can win a title this year. He just needs to be a competent defender, solid playmaker, and efficient tertiary scorer.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Karl Anthony-Towns

Injured last season, KAT is now going into this season fully healthy. If he can get back to his All-NBA caliber form, along with Anthony Edwards improvement, it will be imparative for a deep playoff run. There will be plenty of time to figure out the fit with Rudy Gobert. If the issues that were there previously can be solved, the Wolves will be in for a very successful season.

HM: Jaden McDaniels

New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson

When healthy, Zion has proven to be one of the most impactful player in the league, bringing the Pelicans to a top 3 seed before injury. Now with lots of talk about taking his health more seriously this offseason, he will have to be the driving force behind a playoff push if the Pelicans want to have a successful season. This is his chance to solidify his status in the league. If he can remain healthy, it should not be a surprise if his name is heard in MVP conversations.

New York Knicks

Julius Randle

The Knicks shocked many NBA fans when they convicingly beat the Cavs in the 1st round. Most of it can be attributed to Jalen Brunson, but before injury Julius Randle still made his presence known. If Randle can be consistent and healthy for both the regular season and playoffs, he can help take them to the next level as a team.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Chet Holmgren

Even with Holmgren missing his rookie season, the Thunder managed to make a strong push at the Play-in. Now with the 2nd pick of the 2022 draft making his debut with the team this season, the Thunder have an opportunity to go even further. If Holmgren can have a strong rookie campaign and mesh well with the rest of the team, he significantly raises the Thunder's ceiling for not only this season, but the rest of the Thunder's timeline with Shai and the other members of the team's young core.

Orlando Magic

Markelle Fultz

This was a difficult decision due to the Magic's intriguing roster this season. Markelle was the final choice due to his high upside as a great connective piece and offensive orchestrator for a young, but competitive Magic squad. Markelle offers lots of value as a defender and playmaker. When he was on the floor last season he helped conduce a fluid offense and respectable defense, simply by making the smart reads and taking the tough assignments. His improvement along with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner could take this young team to the next level.

HM: Johnathan Issac, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner.

Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey

With the cloud of uncertainty surrounding James Harden in Philadelphia , Tyrese Maxey will likely have a far larger role to fill this season. If Maxey can step up and take his game to the next level, it could keep the Sixers' window of competitive play open for another season even without the likes of James Harden.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic

The Suns have had a massive roster shakeup and will likely take on an entirely new identity compared to seasons prior. Nurkic could be the key to this new identity. If he can get back to the defensive caliber he once was in Portland, he will provide something the Suns desperately missed last season in the playoffs, both rebounding and rim protection. Not only that, but his playmaking could prove to be valuable. With no true point guard he could help the team by setting up various plays and orchestrating opportunity to score.

HM: Josh Okogie, Eric Gordon, Kieta Bates-Diop, Bradley Beal, Yuta Watanabe.

Portland Trail Blazers

Deandre Ayton

If Deandre Ayton can take that leap and become an All-Star caliber center, it could significantly raise the Blazers' ceiling as a team. Having a fully locked in Ayton would help greatly with the development of Scoot Henderson, as he would have a competent roll man, and a looming lob threat. If the Blazers aim to be competitive, Ayton is the key this season.

HM: Shaedon Sharpe

Sacramento Kings

Sasha Vezenkov

Coming into his rookie season in the NBA, the former Euro League MVP seems like he can make an instant impact for an already elite offensive team in Sacramento. If his shot can translate right away to the level he has shown in both preseason and training camp, he should be a valuable piece in the Kings rotation. With the growing arms race in the west, Sasha could help the Kings compete in an increasingly stacked conference.

San Antonio Spurs

Devin Vassell

While all the attention is on Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell has quietly made a name for himself in the NBA as a potential future star in the league. If he can continue his production from last season on a larger game sample size, he could be the difference between bottom of the west or competing for a spot in the Play-in Tournament. With his recent extension, his expectations are higher than ever. If he can exceed them the way I believe he can, he could be a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award.

Toronto Raptors

Scottie Barnes

The Raptors are stuck in no man's land with no clear direction currently. Scottie Barnes could define the Raptors path if he were to take the leap the front office believes he can. With Fred VanVleet gone, Scottie will likely get to showcase his playmaking ability to a further extent. He has shown a lot as a defender, but the true test will be his shooting and self creation. If Scottie Barnes can be productive as an all-around player, he will be the reason the Raptors could remain in the playoff hunt.

Utah Jazz

Talen Horton-Tucker

After the Mike Conley trade, THT took on majority of the point guard responsibilities for the Jazz. If THT can continue his level of play or even improve upon it, he could help this young Jazz team stay competitive in a stacked Western Conference. Many of his improvements will need to come as a playmaker. While he showed flashes, he is not the offensive engine this team needs, but who's to say he couldn't be.

HM: Colin Sexton

Washington Wizards

Jordan Poole

After shipping out both Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis, the Wizards acquired Jordan Poole, who will now be running the show in Washington. If the Wizards aim to be competitive this season, it will take a massive leap from Jordan Poole. Many have compared his situation to that of James Harden when he was traded to Houston. Jordan Poole will have to live up to that comparison if the Wizards are too make any noise this season.

HM: Deni Avdija, Bilal Coulibaly

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