It’s been 133 days since Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat for their first NBA championship, but now it’s time to gear up for another incredible season.

We’ve seen some big offseason storylines: Damian Lillard is now part of a superstar duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Milwaukee Bucks, Chris Paul joined the Golden State Warriors and James Harden still wants out of Philadelphia.

Expect to see talented rookies take center stage. San Antonio Spurs’ sensation Victor Wembanyama already has us stunned with his unbelievable moves, but don’t sleep on Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren or the Portland Trail Blazers’ Scoot Henderson to make waves.

And we have to mention The King. Now in his 21st season as a pro, LeBron James wants to make perhaps one final run at the title with a revamped Los Angeles Lakers squad.

Let’s preview all 30 teams with where they stand and what to expect ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) think teams belong heading into this season. Title odds, over-under win totals and best bets for 2023-24 by Caesars Sportsbook.

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

, the champs are back, healthy and ready to defend their title. Michael Malone’s starting five is still probably the best and most cohesive in the league.

Malone wants to see more leadership from Jokic and is challenging Murray to take his postseason tear (26.1 points, 7.1 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 39.6% shooting from 3) and continue it this season to become a first-time All-Star and All-NBA performer. Denver is excited about having Murray and Michael Porter Jr. entering this season fully healthy after easing their way back last year.

The Nuggets’ second unit will also have a new look. After losing key contributors like Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, veterans Christian Braun and Reggie Jackson are poised for bigger roles. Peyton Watson could be an exciting contributor if he earns Malone’s trust. The Nuggets also like what they saw from Justin Holiday and mature rookies like Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson in camp. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Win-loss projections

  • ESPN Forecast: 53-29

  • Caesars: 51.5 wins | Title odds: +420

Nuggets in NBArank

  • Nikola Jokic (2)

  • Jamal Murray (17)

  • Aaron Gordon (51)

  • Michael Porter Jr. (68)

Number to watch: Plus-0.1 playoff net rating with Nikola Jokic on the bench.

Perhaps the single biggest reason the Nuggets dominated the postseason was their ability to survive with the two-time MVP on the bench. In the regular season, Denver was outscored by 10.4 points per 100 possessions when Jokic rested, according to NBA Advanced Stats. With more starters on the court and timely contributions from now-departed reserves Bruce Brown Jr. and Jeff Green, the Nuggets played even against playoff opponents without Jokic. — Kevin Pelton

Major decision on the horizon: The defending champs are backed against the wall if their young and inexperienced bench stumbles. Denver does not have a first-round pick to trade (it does have three seconds), has 15 players on guaranteed contracts and is $4.7 million below the hard cap.

Because the Nuggets are over the first apron, they are not allowed to sign a player who was waived and had a salary greater than $12.4 million. — Bobby Marks

Best bet: Over 51.5 wins (-125).

The Nuggets had the best record (53-29) in the Western Conference last season then dominated the postseason, posting a 16-4 record on their way to a championship. The team was significantly better than its 53 wins indicated, and with a relatively young team of veterans at or near their primes and Nikola Jokic still playing at the top of the league, the Nuggets should be better this season. — André Snellings

to acquire Lillard, the move makes them one of the favorites to win the NBA championship. — Jamal Collier

Win-loss projections

  • ESPN Forecast: 54-28

  • Caesars: 54.5 wins | Title odds: +400

Bucks in NBArank

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (1)

  • Damian Lillard (14)

  • Jrue Holiday, , Boston Celtics for Washington Wizards

    When we last saw them … It’s a new era in D.C. as Michael Winger is in charge of the new Wizards regime. is in Phoenix and the Wizards are starting over, collecting as many assets as possible and adding some new pieces in hopes of not only building a more up-tempo offense but finding some building blocks.

    There should be plenty of 3’s and offense from , who gets a fresh start and joins as D.C.’s young guns. has his chance to run an offense as a full-time starter and the Wizards will assess what they have in past draft picks like , and .

    New general manager Will Dawkins drafted and added shooters who can stretch the floor like , who is recovering from a broken toe. While Washington is a long way from contending, the Wizards are at least invested in a new direction. — Youngmisuk

    Win-loss projections

    • ESPN Forecast: 24-58

    • Caesars: 24.5 wins | Title odds: +50000

    Wizards in NBArank

    • Jordan Poole (72)

    • Kyle Kuzma (86)

    Number to watch: 28% usage rate for Kyle Kuzma.

    The Wizards’ offseason makeover has particularly affected their shot creation. Of the top five players in usage rate for Washington in 2022-23, only Kuzma — re-signed to a new four-year contract as an unrestricted free agent — returns. Little-used rookie was the other Wizards incumbent with a usage rate higher than league average (20%), meaning plenty of opportunities for Kuzma and newcomer Jordan Poole (29% usage). — Pelton

    Major decision on the horizon: The retooling Wizards made four offseason trades under new president of basketball operations Michael Winger. One of those deals was acquiring veteran point guard Tyus Jones, who is on an expiring $14 million contract but is not extension-eligible. He will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason and could be a valuable addition to a contending team.

    In 22 starts with Memphis in 2022-23, Jones averaged 16.4 points, 8.1 assists and only 1.5 turnovers per game. — Marks

    Best bet: Jordan Poole over 25.0 points per game (-130).

    Poole has shown explosive scoring upside when called upon to start for the Warriors, particularly when Stephen Curry has been out. For example, last season, Curry missed 11 games from Dec. 16 through Jan. 7, and Poole averaged 27.9 PPG. On a Wizards team where he has the green light, few scorers around him and no structure to fit into, Poole should be among the league leaders in scoring this season. — Snellings