With 2024 right around the corner and nearly half of the NBA season complete now is the perfect to evaluate each team’s goals in the upcoming year. First starting with the Eastern Conference teams before releasing a separate article analyzing the Western Conference squads. These goals or New Year’s resolutions as holiday tradition calls for range from making massive roster changes to slight tweaks that can make all the difference come playoff time.
New Year’s Resolutions for Every Eastern Conference Team
Atlanta Hawks: Make a Move
There’s perhaps no team more in need of a trade than the Hawks. For the third straight season, the Hawks are mediocre. With a sub-.500 record and no signs of improvement from last year, something has to change. Whether it’s breaking up the awkward backcourt fit between Trae Young and Dejounte Murray or adding stars to pair with them. Moving off Murray at the deadline feels like the most realistic scenario. Ultimately it’s clear that Atlanta needs to be active at the deadline because this mediocre play can’t continue any longer.
Boston Celtics: Close-out Games
The downfall of the Celtics last year was closing out games. With the Celtics’ clear goal of winning the title this season and an improved roster that can’t happen again this year. Luckily this problem has largely been improved upon this season, however late-game breakdowns have still reared its ugly head a couple of times. That includes a recent loss against the Warriors and earlier losses against the Hornets and Timberwolves. Despite their elite play both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggle with shot selection in late-game situations. Joe Mazzulla’s poor timeout management and an over-emphasis on the three-point shot also contribute to these poor late-game finishes. Boston can win despite this issue due to their elite-level talent and the multiple chances you get in a playoff series however that scenario is unlikely. As a result, this remains a valid concern especially come playoff time. Fixing these late-game breakdowns is the easiest path to Boston winning their 18th ring in 2024.
Brooklyn Nets: Establish a Clear Direction
The Nets are in a unique and interesting position. They have a solid team and are currently competing for a playoff spot in the East. However, Brooklyn has a lot of tradable assets including several future first-round picks to potentially land a star. If a star is on the market the Nets could make a surprising move and they have a plethora of quality role players to surround that star with. Alternatively, the Nets could sell high on those quality role players to better position themselves for the future. In this scenario, Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie could become available. The most likely scenario is the Nets remain patient and keep the current core around Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas. However, I’d like to see the Nets make a move to either be more competitive or take a small step back and build for the future.
Charlotte Hornets: Build Chemistry with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller
The Hornets’ two franchise cornerstones are LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. However, they haven’t had a ton of court time together due to Ball’s ankle injury. In 2024 it will be crucial for Ball and Miller to further develop on-court chemistry. In the 15 games they played together, the duo appeared to be a great fit and their playstyles complement each other nicely. Developing this duo and landing another lottery pick in June would give Charlotte’s rebuild some real progress and give them a pretty bright future.
Chicago Bulls: Blow it Up
The Bulls core has clearly reached their peak and it’s time to move on. With Zach LaVine’s massive contract paired with issues with the organization, he will likely be moved and that’s for the best. Similarly, moving off pending free agent DeMar DeRozan is a realistic scenario. Furthermore 23-year-old guard Coby White is in the midst of a breakout season averaging a career-best 17 PPG while shooting above 40% from beyond the arc. The Bulls should trade both LaVine and DeRozan to focus on developing White. That would better position the team for the draft and kick-start a rebuild with real upside in the process.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Make Difficult Roster Decisions
With a mediocre start paired with key injuries to Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, the Cavs season might be spiraling. Furthermore, there are plenty of rumors that 2025 free agent Donovan Mitchell is unhappy. As a result, Mitchell could demand a trade in 2024 or leave in 2025. Between Mitchell trade rumors and an increasingly awkward offensive fit with the Mobley and Jarrett Allen frontcourt, the Cavs have some decisions to make. Whether it’s trading Mitchell before he leaves or retooling the frontcourt with the hope of improving the offense, Cleveland has some serious decisions to make in 2024. Maybe the Cavs keep this roster and eventually have playoff success, however trade ideas must be explored.
Detroit Pistons: Make some Progress
In year 5 of a rebuild, the Pistons have shown no signs of improvement highlighted by an abysmal 2-29 record and record-breaking 28-game losing streak. That includes a recent embarrassing loss to a very short-handed Utah Jazz team. At this point all the Pistons can hope for is to show some signs of improvement. To accomplish this it’s clear the Pistons need some roster shake-up. Detroit’s poor structure and floor spacing around Cade Cunningham is unacceptable.
Additionally, head coach Monty Williams needs to adjust the lineup around Cade for better spacing and better develop second-year guard Jaden Ivey. Very few things should be off the table for the Pistons at the deadline as they need to make their roster a better fit for the modern NBA. Firing General Manager Troy Weaver and clearing house with the front office is mandatory in 2024. Similarly, drafting players who fit next to Cunnigham is a top priority.
Indiana Pacers: Get Defensive Help
The Pacers play one of the most entertaining brands of basketball with the league’s 2nd ranked offense. This high-powered offense led by Tyrese Haliburton has resulted in the Pacers being a playoff team and the runner-up in the In-Season Tournament. However, Indiana has the 28th-ranked defense in the league and it’s a massive hindrance for them to reach their full potential. This poor defense could surely lead to a first-round exit. The good news is the Pacers have a plethora of assets they could use to upgrade their defense at the deadline. Landing Pascal Siakam is an intriguing possibility. The Pacers could also wait until the off-season and spend big on defense. Regardless, upgrading the team’s defense should be a top priority.
Miami Heat: Upgrade Frontcourt Size
The Heat have proven they are contenders and command respect come playoff time. However, their lack of frontcourt size is a cause for concern especially when considering their competition in the East. Many people believe the Heat need another star to truly compete, especially after a summer filled with star trade rumors. While a star move certainly wouldn’t hurt and possibly even make Miami Eastern Conference favorites, it’s unclear if that’s realistic depending on the player. I would argue that a slight upgrade in their frontcourt size and adding another quality big man is all Miami needs to further solidify themselves as contenders.
Milwaukee Bucks: Figure out Defensive issues
For years the Bucks have built their identity around great defense. However, between the addition of Damian Lillard, the loss of Jrue Holiday, and new head coach Adrian Griffin a lot has changed. The Bucks currently have the 17th-ranked defense compared to the 4th-ranked last year. With their elite frontcourt size, this is unacceptable and will hurt them come playoff time. For the Bucks to win a title their defense has to improve to around a top-10 level, especially considering some of the elite offenses they’ll face on a possible title run. The Bucks have limited moves to make so they’ll be banking on internal improvement.
New York Knicks: Land a Star
The OG Anunoby trade moved the Knicks in the right direction. He is the perfect complete wing on any contender and a much better wing fit than RJ Barrett. New York also dealt Immanuel Quickley who clearly couldn’t be a part of the team’s long-term future due to his questionable fit next to Jalen Brunson. The Knicks now have the ideal supporting cast for a contending team. With a plethora of first-round picks, the Knicks are perfectly positioned to land a star this off-season and become a legit contender in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando Magic: Don’t Rush It
The Magic have been one of the best stories in the league and are a surprising playoff squad in the Eastern Conference. Orlando has a core built around length and defense. The elite young duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner perfectly complement each other. Many have pointed to the Magic as a team that could part with young assets or picks to land a potential star. Given that Orlando has had an incredible amount of success with this young core so far, why mess with it? That is especially considering how much of this success has come without talented two-way big man Wendell Carter Jr. My vote is Orlando continues to see it through with this young core and gains some valuable experience in the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers: Take Advantage of Roster Flexibility
The James Harden trade has worked out perfectly for the 76ers and they’ve embodied the less is more philosophy. Joel Embiid is in the midst of a career year and Tyrese Maxey has broken out as a legit co-star. The two stars are surrounded by the perfect role players including great defenders and spot-up shooters. However, most importantly the Harden trade opened up several avenues for the 76ers to improve in the future. That includes giving them tradable assets to make a move at the deadline and opening up over 100 million dollars in cap space. The 76ers are now perfectly positioned to land another star in some capacity. This possible addition would make the 76ers true contenders in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Toronto Raptors: Trade Siakam and Build Around Scottie
While trading Anunoby was the first step for the Raptors to start their rebuild, trading pending free agent Pascal Siakam at the deadline is the next necessary step in rebuilding. The value of Siakam won’t be at its highest but he is still a valued piece for any contender. Furthermore getting something is better than getting nothing or committing more money to a sub-playoff squad. With Scottie Barnes having a breakout season the Raptors can find more players that fit next to him and build an exciting young team around him. It’s time for Toronto to move on and start a new era.
Washington Wizards: Play a More Serious Brand of Basketball
Given the Wizards’ off-season, it should be no surprise that they are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. There are some silver linings including Kyle Kuzma’s career-best season and encouraging signs from young players Bilal Coulibaly and Deni Avdija. The Wizards’ season can best be described as an “AAU” style of basketball highlighted by a bottom-three defense and a lack of ball movement on offense. Jordan Poole’s poor shot selection, decision-making, and defense are central to these issues. It’s unfair to blame Poole alone; it’s clear this team is extremely young and lacks high-end talent. The Wizards won’t magically become a good team this year. But changing their style of play to be more team-oriented all while gaining more young talent come draft time are realistic goals.
