The 2023-24 NBA Season Preview

October 3rd, 2023

With the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season starting in several weeks, we have posted our thoughts on who will win the awards in 2024, and which team will win the NBA championship. We ranked teams and made picks as to who would win the awards, and without further ado, here are our preseason predictions for who would win the awards and which team we predicted to be the champion in 2024.

Get ready for a fun-filled NBA season that will begin on October 24th.
(Photo: Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images, via DraftKings Network)

Projected 2023-24 Eastern Conference Standings

Projected 2023-24 Western Conference Standings

Nikola Jokic is our preseason pick to win the 2024 NBA MVP award.
(Photo: David Zalubowski/The Associated Press)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 NBA MVP:
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic is the best player on the defending champions, and he is an extremely skilled point center that racks up triple doubles. Jokic is primed to put up big numbers, especially with Denver losing some depth this year, so he looks to be the front runner to win the MVP award in 2024.

2^nd: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
3^rd: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Others Receiving Votes:
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Jrue Holiday is our preseason pick to win the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024.
(Photo: Getty Images/Ringer illustration, via The Ringer)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year:
Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks

Jrue Holiday is the best point of attack defender for the past three or four years. He has the versatility to defend his own position, and he’s very comfortable guarding bigger players on the wings, so he can also be used to defend elite wings at times. His strong defensive skills combined with his defensive versatility and IQ makes him our pick to be the best defensive player for this season.

2^nd: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
3^rd: Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

Others Receiving Votes:
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Victor Wembanyama is a super skilled and talented big man that is currently the odds-on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award.
(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images, via The Boston Globe)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year:
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

We were unanimous in our votes for the first, second, and third place votes, and Wembanyama is our pick to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2024.

Victor Wembanyama is a tremendously skilled big man that can score the basketball in a variety of ways, has solid playmaking skills and handles the ball very well, and he is a very athletic big man that can block a lot of shots and his strong defensive skills. He is an extremely talented player that has the skills to develop into a superstar in this league and will be the favorite to win this award, though he will receive some competition from others such as Chet Holmgren and Scoot Henderson.

2^nd: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
3^rd: Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

Bobby Portis is our preseason pick to win the Sixth Man of the Year award.
(Photo: Steven Ryan/Getty Images, via Fansided’s Behind the Buck Pass)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year:
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks

We had a hard time agreeing on who would start or come off the bench, but we came to an agreement on who to pick here, and our pick on who would win sixth man of the year in 2024 would be Bobby Portis. There’s a good chance that a lot of sixth man of the year candidates would become starters and therefore not qualify. Bobby Portis is clearly behind Giannis and Brook Lopez on the depth chart, so he would qualify.

Bobby Portis’ strong production should make him one of the best bench players in the league, and he’s consistently produced over the past several years.

2^nd: Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors
3^rd: Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks

With his superb showing for the US Select team against Team USA in the scrimmage games this offseason, Cade Cunningham is our preseason pick to be the Most Improved Player in 2024.
(Photo: Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images, via Bleacher Report)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year:
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham got hurt early last season, so he couldn’t play in nearly as many games. This summer, he played extremely well for the US Select team, and he looked every bit like the Doncic-type of player Team USA was preparing for in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Cunningham looks healthy and ready to go, and he’s a very skilled point forward that is bound to realize the potential he has, and he looks to be due for a breakout season this year.

2^nd: Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets
3^rd: Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

Others Receiving Votes:
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic

Miami Heat’s head coach Erik Spoelstra did a fantastic job of coaching the Heat in the playoffs, and he is our preseason pick to win the Coach of the Year award in 2024.
(Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images, via Fansided’s All U Can Heat)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 NBA Coach of the Year:
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat

Erik Spoelstra is great at making adjustments despite their team having less than ideal talent. They were able to get all the way to the 2023 NBA Finals despite facing against significantly more talented teams. They are going to go again with less than elite talent, but they have the ability to stretch their talent level to maximize their success.

2^nd: Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers
3^rd: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder

Others Receiving Votes:
Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets and Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

Brad Stevens did a masterful job of making moves in the offseason, and he is our preseason pick to win the Executive of the Year award in 2024.
(Photo: Jim Davis/The Boston Globe)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 NBA Executive of the Year:
Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

Brad Stevens took a talented roster and leveled them up, even more so. They got Kristaps Porzingis to give them a third star before the draft, and after the Bucks got Damian Lillard, they responded by getting Jrue Holiday to round out their roster and address critical weaknesses.

Also, like our votes for the Rookie of the Year award, we were unanimous in picking the executives with our first, second, and third place votes.

2^nd: Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks
3^rd: Mike Dunleavy Jr., Golden State Warriors

Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid are two very skilled and talented superstars that made our preseason All-NBA 1st Team.
(Photo: Tim Nwachukuwu/Getty Images, via SB Nation’s Golden State of Mind)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 All-NBA 1^st Team:

C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
G Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 All-NBA 2^nd Team:

G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
F Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 All-NBA 3^rd Team:

G Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
C Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
F Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
G Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Others Receiving Votes:
F Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, and C Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Giannis and Nikola Jokic are two of the players that we chose to make our preseason All-Star teams for the 2023-24 season.
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP, via BasketNews.com)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 Eastern Conference All-Star Team:

C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
G Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
G Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
G Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
G Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
G Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
F Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
C Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
F Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets
F Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 Western Conference All-Star Team:

C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
F Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
F Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
F Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
C Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
G Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
G Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies

Projected Eastern Conference All-Star Head Coach:
Adrian Griffin, Milwaukee Bucks

Projected Western Conference All-Star Head Coach:
Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers

Others Receiving Votes:
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, G Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors, F Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama are both very talented rookie big men that both made our preseason All-Rookie teams.
(Photo: FIBA, via The Spokesman-Review)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 All-Rookie 1^st Team:

C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
F Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
F Sasha Vezenkov, Sacramento Kings
G Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
G Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 All-Rookie 2^nd Team:

C Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
F Jarace Walker, Indiana Paceres
F Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
G Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
G Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Others Receiving Votes:
F Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets, G Vasilije Micic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and F Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz

Jrue Holiday and Herbert Jones are two really good defenders that both made our preseason All-Defensive first teams.
(Photo: Chuck Cook/USA Today Sports, via GMA Network)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason All-Defensive 1^st Team:

C Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
F Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
G Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
G Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason All-Defensive 2^nd Team:

C Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
F Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets
G Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Others Receiving Votes:
Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder, OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Al Horford, Boston Celtics, Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks

2023-24 Preseason NBA Power Rankings:

The list may be bound to change as the season progresses, but as for now, that is how the team projections look to start the year.

There is a rivalry that may be brewing in the East, and the battle between Boston and Milwaukee could determine which team makes it out of the East to the 2024 NBA Finals.
(Photo: Gregory Fisher/USA Today Sports, via Yardbarker)

2024 NBA Playoffs:

After some much deliberation and consideration due to recent trades, here is how we project how the 2024 NBA Playoffs may go.

Play-In Tournament – Eastern Conference:

(7) Brooklyn Nets defeats (8) Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn advances
(9) Chicago Bulls defeats (10) Toronto Raptors

(8) Atlanta Hawks defeats (9) Chicago Bulls, Atlanta advances

Play-In Tournament – Western Conference:

(7) Phoenix Suns defeats (8) Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix advances
(9) Minnesota Timberwolves defeats (10) New Orleans Pelicans

(8) Los Angeles Clippers defeats (9) Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers advance

1st Round – Eastern Conference:

(1) Boston Celtics defeats (8) Atlanta Hawks, 4-1
(5) Philadelphia 76ers defeats (4) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-2

(3) Miami Heat defeats (6) New York Knicks, 4-2
(2) Milwaukee Bucks defeats (7) Brooklyn Nets, 4-0

1st Round – Western Conference:

(1) Denver Nuggets defeats (8) Los Angeles Clippers, 4-2
(5) Dallas Mavericks defeats (4) Memphis Grizzlies, 4-3

(3) Golden State Warriors defeats (6) Sacramento Kings, 4-2
(2) Los Angeles Lakers defeats (7) Phoenix Suns, 4-3

2nd Round – Eastern Conference:

(1) Boston Celtics defeats (5) Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2
(2) Milwaukee Bucks defeats (3) Miami Heat, 4-2

2nd Round – Western Conference:

(1) Denver Nuggets defeats (4) Dallas Mavericks, 4-2
(3) Golden State Warriors defeats (2) Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3

2024 Eastern Conference Finals:
(1) Boston Celtics defeats (2) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-3

2024 Western Conference Finals:
(1) Denver Nuggets defeats (3) Golden State Warriors, 4-2

2024 NBA Finals:
(1) Denver Nuggets defeats (1) Boston Celtics, 4-3

Denver and Boston could end up being the teams that could square off against each other in the 2024 NBA Finals.
(Photo: David Zalubowski/The Associated Press, via The Denver Post)

Projected 2024 NBA Champions:
Denver Nuggets

Projected 2024 NBA Finals MVP:
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Those are our predictions for the upcoming season. It will be fun and exciting to watch the upcoming NBA season, and it will begin on October 24th. Thanks for reading.