Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Predictions: Post-NBA Free Agency win-total predictions

By Duncan Smith

Aug 10, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Russell Westbrook poses with Los Angeles Lakers jersey at press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Russell Westbrook poses with Los Angeles Lakers jersey at press conference at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 16
Next
NBA
NBA Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Hawks

Projected wins: 51

Eastern Conference standings: 3rd

From the point when the Atlanta Hawks fired former head coach Lloyd Pierce and replaced him with Nate McMillan, they were one of the best teams in the NBA. From March 1st onwards, the Hawks were 27-11, which was the third-best mark in the league, and they pushed the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. That wasn’t just coaching magic, either. They also got healthy just in time for their hot finish, and most of that team returns for 2021-22. Maybe they don’t have championship upside, but if they can stay healthy, there’s no reason they can’t put together a great season.

Boston Celtics

Projected wins: 44

Eastern Conference standings: 6th

The Boston Celtics had an eventful offseason, seeing Danny Ainge depart the front office and head coach Brad Stevens took over. Since then, they traded Kemba Walker for Al Horford, hired Ime Udoka, traded for Kris Dunn and signed Dennis Schroder in free agency. It’s a completely new-look team around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but can they improve upon last season’s 36-36 squad? I think yes, but not by much. A handful of wins above the .500 mark and avoiding the play-in seems just about right for this team going into next season.