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2018-19 NBA season: Record predictions for every team

By Christopher Kline

Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Atlanta Hawks
NBA Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

As the 2018-19 NBA season gets rolling, what should fans expect from every team?

After an eventful summer, NBA basketball is finally back. A lot has changed around the association, with LeBron James heading west, Kawhi Leonard heading east, and several impactful moves in between.

The Golden State Warriors are clear favorites to 3-peat, but that shouldn’t be the only storyline dominating the 2018-19 campaign. There is plenty of intrigue around the league, whether it be the wide-open Eastern Conference or the ongoing Jimmy Butler saga.

Unlike other leagues, the NBA manages to provide entertainment on a nightly basis — with or without basketball. The breaking news, the social media personalities and the quality product are more than enough to keep fans occupied.

With the season officially getting underway Tuesday night, it’s important to get caught up on the outlook for every team. Here are record predictions for all 30 franchises.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks will be entertaining this season. Lloyd Pierce has installed a system based around pace, space and defense, akin to the franchise he’s coming from in Philadelphia. The young core, headed by Trae Young and John Collins, will have some promising flashes.

While the Luka Doncic trade may live in infamy, Young projects as a solid NBA player and potential All-Rookie candidate. His defense is an unavoidable weakness, but he’s already a deft passer with ample 3-point range.

He’s the hub for an offense that, despite their limited talent, will have some high-octane performances. Taurean Prince is coming along as a solid two-way piece, while the Young-Collins duo will wreak havoc in the pick-and-roll.

After a strong rookie season, Collins seems ready to expand his game even further. He has vastly improved as a 3-point shooter and passer, which will allow him to take on a more prominent role in the Atlanta offense.

Kent Bazemore, Jeremy Lin and Dewayne Dedmon will provide the veteran backbone for a young team. All three will see ample playing time, with Bazemore and Dedmon presumably locked into the starting five when healthy.

In the end, Atlanta will still lose by design this season. Coaching and young talent can only take a team so far, and the Hawks are still a ways away from competing at a high level. The East will play in their favor, but expect them to finish at the bottom of the conference.

Final prediction: 21-61, Miss NBA Playoffs