7 TrueFan 2017-18 NBA Predictions

7 TrueFan 2017-18 NBA Season Projections

Written By Kyle Crabbe

Twitter: @KthetruestKnick

As we get excited for the new 2017-18 NBA Season getting started today, here at TrueFan, we will attempt at predicting a few things that will likely happen in this year's season.

-Lonzo Ball will be the undisputed 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year.

Verdict: My belief is Lonzo Ball's style of play matched with Luke Walton's offensive system will net Ball a rare Rookie season something like what Lakers current President Ervin “Magic” Johnson had back in 1980. Lonzo Ball is a generational passer who standing at 6'6 with a 3-point shot is a tall Jason Kidd built for today's NBA. Ball will bring a new “showtime” to Los Angeles in 2018.

-Cleveland Cavaliers will not only dominate the Eastern Conference, but the entire NBA.

Verdict: Looking at the team the Cavaliers have put together for the upcoming season, I believe they have a great chance with the necessary chemistry to dominate the NBA this season. I believe the Cavs will look as great as the Golden State Warriors all season with the addition of players like Dwayne Wade, Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas making huge impacts. Cav's I believe will easily win over 60 games this season.

-The Washington Wizards will become the second seed in the Eastern Conference

Verdict: I believe it will be the Washington Wizards and not the Boston Celtics that will be the second best team in the Eastern Conference. This year's Wizards sport a few advantages coming into the new season. A) This will be year 2 for Coach Scott Brooks with the Wizards. As a great coach we can project that the Wizards will only improve in year two with a coach of Brooks' caliber. B) With John Wall coming in his age 27 season, he will be in his physical and basketball prime and we can expect him to continue to improve while he is already at a All-Star level. C) The Wizards have the same team that went to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and can expect that experience will help young pieces they have in SF Otto Porter, SF Kelly Oubre Jr, and young star SG Bradley Beal. I believe the Wizards will shock a few commentators with how good they will be this season under Brooks and Wall leadership.

-New York Knicks Young Star Kristaps Porzingis becomes the Eastern Conference second leading vote getter for 2018 All-Star Game

Verdict: With the New York Knicks trading Superstar Carmelo Anthony to OKC Thunder in the off-season, Kristaps Porzingis become the face and biggest star in the NBA's biggest media market in New York. Already an international basketball superstar, Porzingis will benefit greatly from being the new focal point of the New York Knicks. It addition to a big statistical season from Porzingis, his popularity should also take a boost, which I believe will elevate him to be a first time starter in this year's All-Star game.

-Oklahoma City Thunder Could Win 2018 NBA Championship

Verdict: With the additions of SG/SF Paul George from Indiana and SF Carmelo Anthony from New York, the OKC Thunder formed another superteam with current MVP Russell Westbrook already in OKC. The amount of talent the Thunder now have, puts them on par with any team in the entire NBA. If Head Coach Billy Donovan can put together a system that can comfortably mesh all these stars talents, I believe the Russell Westbrook led OKC Thunder will be a contender for the 2018 NBA Championship.

-Eric Bledsoe, Anthony Davis, and Demarcus Cousins gets traded

Verdict: Throughtout the off-season and the better half of the last year we heard the trade rumors around PF/C Demarcus Cousins and PG Eric Bledsoe. I believe that if the New Orleans Pelicans struggle and are unable to be a playoff contender this season, their front office will break up the roster and begin a rebuild. If that's to occur, I believe stars Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins will be moved. Here are a some examples or predictions of what those deals might look like:

Bledsoe to Milwaukee Bucks

Suns Recieve: 2018 Dallas 2^nd Round Pick, C Greg Monroe, PG Malcolm Brogdon, PF John Henson

Bucks Recieve : PG Eric Bledsoe, C Tyson Chandler

TrueFan Verdict

Probability: Strongly Possible

The Bucks in a chase to go further in the Eastern Conference playoffs could make this deal to bring in more matured NBA talent whose experience can push them further this season. For the Suns they would receive their point guard of the future in Brodgon to pair up with SG Devin Booker and the young frontcourt talent the Suns have.

DeMarcus Cousins to Boston

New Orleans Receive: SF Jayson Tatum, 2019 Memphis Grizzlies 1^st Round Pick, C Aron Baynes

Boston Receive: PF/C DeMarcus Cousins

TrueFan Verdict

Probability: Fairly Possible

If New Orleans struggles and feels that they will not be able to sign DeMarcus Cousins to a long-term deal, the Pelicans will be forced to find suitors for Cousins. I feel that if Cousins becomes available, one of the first teams that would pursue Cousins in my opinion will be the Boston Celtics.

DeMarcus Cousins to Washington

New Orleans Receive: SF Otto Porter, SF/PF Chris McCullough, 2018 Washington 1^st Round Pick

Washington Receive: PF/C DeMarcus Cousins

TrueFan Verdict

Probability: Very Possible

If the New Orleans Pelicans come to a point this season where they feel they have to trade Cousins because they do not feel they will be able to retain his services, I believe another great landing spot for Cousins this season will be in Washington. Cousins would team up with close friend and former college teammate in Washington Star John Wall. For Washington it would elevate them to status of East contender with the three in Bradley Beal, John Wall, and then DeMarcus Cousins.

Anthony Davis for Kevin Love

New Orleans Receive: PF Kevin Love, SG Iman Shumpert, Brooklyn Nets 2018 1^st Round Pick, C Ante Zizic

Cleveland Receive : PF/C Anthony Davis

TrueFan Verdict

Probability: Very Unlikely

If the New Orleans Pelicans are to struggle severely throughout the start of the season, I believe that would prompt the Pelicans front office to blow up the team and completely start to rebuild. If that is to happen I believe they would have to consider trading their Franchise Cornerstone Anthony Davis. If they are to need to find suitors for AD, the Cavaliers I believe would jump at the opportunity to team up AD with Lebron James.

-D'Angelo Russell becomes 2018 NBA's Most Improved Player.

Verdict: I believe D'Angelo Russell will benefit greatly from his new situation in Brooklyn this season. Russell will get into a system that allows him to play to all his considerable talents and strengths. Russell will have the opportunity to play on and off the ball in a fast paced open system that should allow his production to improve greatly this year. Add in this will be Russell's third NBA season, we should see a huge impact from Russell this season. I can expect numbers like 19ppg / 6ast / 1.5stl / 45fg% / 37 3-pt% / 79ft%.

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