5 NBA teams on the rise that will surprise everyone in 2023-24

The Denver Nuggets only won their first NBA title a month ago, but most fans have already moved on to the 2023-24 season. The Nuggets may not have been the favorite to win it all last season, but they’ve been building towards top contender status in the association for several years and had the reigning two-time MVP in Nikola Jokic – their title wasn’t a major surprise.

That being said, there are some teams that have endured big struggles in recent years but are ready to shock the world this upcoming season. These rising teams are ready to crash the playoff picture, perhaps even make a run in the postseason.

Which up-and-coming NBA teams are ready to take a leap in 2023-24 and surprise the rest of the association?

Some of the teams listed below have been bubbling under the surface for some time, quietly building to a crescendo set to be played this season. Others made a big move or had a massive offseason, allowing them to push to the next tier of the league.

Of course, when teams emerge, other teams have to fall back. That’s the nature of the NBA: it’s a zero-sum game. The success of one franchise is directly linked to the failure of another. Figuring out which teams will take drastic steps back is more challenging (and more depressing to think about), but they’re out there.

Think your team deserves to be considered one that will surprise this season? Feel free to sound off in the comments and make your case persuasive!

Without further ado, here are the five teams that will surprise next season.