The National Basketball Association has made a triumphant return for the 2023-2024 season.
One of the most exciting aspects of this new season is the level of talent and competition.
The NBA is overflowing with young stars eager to make their mark. Starting with the number one draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, the versatile player out of France who will be representing the San Antonio Spurs, everyone is looking forward to seeing how well he adjusts to the league.
This year also brought a lot of debating over the top picks as teams weighed their options for the future. Conversations largely revolved around standout players Brandon Miller, the second pick for the Charlotte Hornets, and Scoot Henderson, the third pick for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Meanwhile, Amen and Ausar Thompson made history by becoming the first twins in the league’s history to be selected in the top five in the NBA Draft. Ultimately, the 2023 NBA Draft has been one of the most talked about, and closely watched events.
The off-season witnessed some blockbuster trades; one of the biggest trades that shocked fans the most had to do with the three-team trade involving the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. The main feature of this trade was Damian Lillard.
Lillard spent 11 seasons with the Trailblazers and is now teammates with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks. The Trailblazers received Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara. Outside of the teams in the three-team swap, the Boston Celtics also acquired Jrue Holiday from Milwaukee.
The Phoenix Suns received Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson as part of the trade deal. The Suns also landed three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to their roster, the newest addition to the Big Three alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The Phoenix Suns also named the Lakers’ former coach, Frank Vogel, as their new head coach.
Golden State also made a dramatic move, sending Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran Chris Paul, who originally played for Phoenix. The Warriors still have their main three: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Golden State has also received an expansion team in the WNBA, the league’s first addition of a new franchise since 2008.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, who is now the oldest player in the league, will look to continue to dominate and add to his storied career after becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer this past season. James has also been showing interest in representing Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics, alongside Steph Curry and Joel Embiid.
There are still questions revolving around Joel Embiid’s teammate, James Harden, and whether or not the league is going to accept his trade request, though Harden was an active participant in the 76ers training camp.
Chet Holmgren has also made his return to the Oklahoma City Thunder following an 11-month absence due to a foot injury.
The Detroit Pistons are also ready to make some noise this season. Cade Cunningham was limited to 12 games last season but is back in action and ready to make his return under the guidance of Monty Williams. The Pistons re-signed forward Isaiah Stewart to a $64 million rookie contract. In July, they also acquired Joe Harris from the Brooklyn Nets and Monte Morris from the Washington Wizards. Marcus Sasser was also signed to a rookie contract.
The 2023-2024 NBA season is going to be a great year, as it already has been filled with significant player moves, historic contract extensions, rising young stars and the pursuit of individual and team milestones.
