5 NBA teams primed to see big increases in win totals for 2022-23

1. NBA Finals or bust for the Brooklyn Nets in 2022-23

2021-22 win total: 44 wins

Now that the Brooklyn Nets have gotten all the offseason awkwardness out of the way at Media Day, everyone can move forward and work towards their common goal of competing for an NBA Championship in 2022-23. Kevin Durant is not making any more trade demands, Kyrie Irving is seemingly ready to compete in as many games as possible, and Ben Simmons is rejuvenated and rested after not playing in any games last season.

The Nets had so many issues with player availability last season that they never had an opportunity to have their core players compete on the court together for any considerable length of time. Kyrie Irving was out of action for most of the season due to his vaccination status. Kevin Durant was limited to just 55 games last season and the team had to deal with finding James Harden a new home.

The Nets’ problem of having available talent competing each night was exacerbated when Ben Simmons, who came over in the trade for Harden, was unable to suit up for the Nets. With Irving, Durant, and Simmons all healthy and able to compete at the start of the season, things should go a lot smoother for Head Coach Steve Nash.

The additions of key rotation players Royce O’Neale, TJ Warren, and Markieff Morris have largely flown under the radar for the Nets. Getting sharpshooter Joe Harris back in the fold after only playing in 14 games last season makes this team even deeper, too.

This is a team that, if they can stay healthy, has enough talent to make a serious run at earning a No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season and win a lot more than 44 games this season.