1. AJ Dybantsa vs Darryn Peterson
This is one of the more anticipated #1 vs #2 overall pick this century. There have been a few other #1 and #2 draft picks that it wasn't clear who would go first in my lifetime.
Some that come to mind are:
- 2014: Andrew Wiggins & Jabari Parker
- 2017: Markelle Fultz & Lonzo Ball
- 2019 Zion Williamson & Ja Morant
- 2021 Cade Cunnigham & Jalen Green
- 2022 Paolo Banchero & Chet Holmgren.
It seems as though people are higher on AJ Dybantsa because of his NBA size, length, pure athleticism, and NBA ready scoring.
AJ looked very impressive and confident after averaging 25.5 ppg on 51% shooting in his lone season at BYU. In addition, in their highly anticipated summer league matchup, Peterson scored 24 points on 6-18 shooting with 9 fouls and 8 turnovers. Meanwhile, Dybantsa performed a bit better with 27 points on 7-18 shooting with only 1 turnover.
However, I am expecting a better overall season from Darryn Peterson. For starters, he is surrounded by a solid team with a team that is hungry to win.
Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson, and Keyonte George seem like more balanced and unselfish counterparts than Dybantsa's teammates.
In addition, I trust the Jazz coach, Will Hardy, and the Jazz front office led by renowned GM Danny Ainge to put Darryn Peterson in a successful position.
While I expect Dybantsa to put up loud highlights and stats, he is surrounded by 2 stars with big egos and contracts; Anthony Davis & Trae Young, might take the spotlight away from Dybantsa.
In addition, I do not trust the Wizards front office and coaching staff to properly incorporate Dybantsa into their system.
2. The Chicago Bulls are Sneakily Exciting
Josh Giddey is the perfect point guard for Matas Buzelis' and Caleb Wilson's development.
A pass first point guard who loves to get out in transition to throw lobs and find cutters, is perfect for two athletic forwards who love to throw down vicious dunks and run the floor.
With Norman Powell spreading the floor, versatile bigs in Nic Claxton, Zach Collins, and Jalen Smith, there will be plenty of space and shooters for Giddey to do his thing: get to the paint and create for others.
There's also got to be a nickname committee on Buzelis and Wilson:
two young, high flying, athletic forwards who hold the excitement and future for Bulls fans ever since a young Derrick Rose took over the United Center.
I'm not saying the Bulls will be a playoff team, but I think their offense will be a fun regular season team to watch: full of ball movement, shooting, and paint touches. The Bulls are a blueprint for the modern NBA- Size and Shooting.
3. Which Laker Will help the Lakers' Big 3
Luka Doncic, Austin reeves, and Walker Kessler is a strong big 3.
However, the Lakers have a whole collection of pretty good players, so which ones are going to step up to push the Lakers into title contention? In my opinion, the Lakers are one "elite" 3 and D wing player from being a title contender.
Adding a player like OG Anunoby, Dillon Brooks, or even Herb Jones would help stretch the floor and offense and take the defensive load off of Luka and Austin.
When Luka went on his 2024 championship run, he had guys like Derrick Jones Jr. and PJ Washington to do the heavy lifting on defense and be able to stretch the floor on offense.
Right now, the Lakers picked up some solid offensive weapons such as such as Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
They also picked up some defensive threats in Matisse Thybulle and Ziarie Williams. Or, maybe rookie Cameron Carr will step up in a big way.
These off-season additions lack a significant co-star or someone who can contribute effectively on both ends of the floor.
It will be exciting to see which one these role players really impact this Lakers team or if the Lakers make a splash before the trade deadline.
4. What Will the Magic's Future Look Like?
The Orlando Magic have a really solid team.
Their starters are Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter, and Anthony Black off the bench.
Typically, to reach the finals you need a superstar unless you are the '79 Supersonics, early 2000s Kings, 2004 Pistons, or maybe even the Jimmy Bulter led Heat in '20 & '23.
The Magic could fit that mold, but it is a hard path that relies on health and depth which the Magic seem to lack.
The ceiling I see this team reach is the divisional round of the playoffs or a 3/4 seed in the east.
With this limited ceiling, it will be interesting to see if the Magic decide to blow it up, trust in Banchero as their star and flip Wagner for more depth and balance, or even try to add to what they already have.
5. Will The Pelicans Finally be Relevant?
Ever since the Anthony Davis trade, the Pelicans have been deluged with promising talent.
Here's a list of players the Pelicans have had along with Zion Williamson since 2019:
Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, JJ Redick, CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jonas Valanciunas, Steven Adams, Herb Jones, Dyson Daniels, Trey Murphy, Naji Marshall, Dejounte Murray, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and now Bennedict Mathurin.
None of these players, are elite star-level talents, but definitely enough to think, wow, only 2 first round exits since 2019! Maybe they have to regroup again and trade Zion Williamson as he isn't at the super star-level to bring a championship. Or, will the Pelicans finally be competent, stay healthy, and win games this year.
I think if they do not get off to a good start, unfortunately, they will have to restart for what seems to be the hundredth time and trade Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, and Zion.
I think unfortunately and inevitably, the Pelicans will be sellers this year.
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