1. Golden State Warriors

All eyes will be on Golden State this season as they have acquired all-star DeMarcus Cousins to join the already talented roster which has helped them win three of the last four championships. With all their scoring options able to space the floor, this team seems unbeatable. This puts a target on the Warriors back and every team will be eager to take down the champions.

2. Boston Celtics

Loaded with young talent Boston made it to the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals with key injuries to stars, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum should blossom into elite players, after putting up impressive numbers early in their career. This year they have even higher expectations, as LeBron James has left the Eastern Conference to join the Lakers.

3. Houston Rockets

Houston will once again rely on the electric backcourt tandem of Chris Paul and James Harden to make another deep playoff push. With the acquisition of Carmel Anthony this offseason, an elite scoring forward is added to the roster, but defensive specialists had to be moved in order to acquire Anthony. This offseason move is risky because Houston was in contention for the best record in the league last season, but the front office believes this the Rockets now have the potential to dethrone the almighty Warriors.

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles made some noise in the offseason acquiring a handful of veterans to coexist with the young talent on the roster from previous years. LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, and Lance Stephenson will add some needed leadership and playoff experience. The Lakers young coach, Luke Walton, will be coaching his first team that will be expected to make the playoffs. This will not be LeBron’s first time contending with an inexperienced coach as he carried Eric Spolstra and Tyrone Lue to the Finals before.

5. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors went all in on Kawhi Leonard, sending long time Raptor, DeMar Derozen to San Antonio. Firing Coach Dwane Casey was interesting considering he won Coach of the Year honors, but the front office ultimately decided they needed a coaching change to make a deeper push in the playoffs. Veterans Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka will also be key contributors as Toronto hopes to win their first Conference Finals in franchise history.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

With the incredible duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia is bound to make a deep playoff run in the weaker Eastern conference. Both stars have had major injuries in the past and the team will struggle if either Simmons or Embiid misses an extended period of time. The number one overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft will need to improve off of an underwhelming rookie season to prove his worth on this young talented team.

7. Utah Jazz

The Jazz will once again rely on the defense of Rudy Gobert and Donavan Mitchell to make another playoff appearance.

8. Milwaukee Bucks

MVP candidate, Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to have another monster year for Milwaukee. To compliment their superstar, the Bucks have one of the best supporting casts with Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker, and Eric Bledsoe.

9. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have not had a team as talented as the one they have right now since the days of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. The offense runs through Center, Nikola Jokic, who does a good job distributing the ball to his teammates. The roster is very balanced with the young talent of Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., and veteran leadership from Paul Millsap and Isaiah Thomas.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder

Russell Westbrook will still be a triple-double machine giving the Thunder a chance to win night in and night out. He will have Paul George and Dennis Schroder to help with the scoring and Steven Adams will continue to be a defensive anchor.