It's that time of year again! The NBA Playoffs are right around the corner, and everyone is wondering which teams will be fighting for a chance to win the championship.
There are a lot of good teams in the league, but some franchises are better positioned than others to make a run at the title.
So which franchise is best positioned to reach the playoffs? Let's take a look!
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics
As one of the most historic franchises in the NBA, the Boston Celtics have a proud tradition of excellence that it lives up to today.
They are currently second in the East. Fans are ecstatic with this accomplishment, as not many could have predicted such success at the start of the season. The Celtics' impressive performance can be attributed to their talented roster and outstanding coach, Joe Mazzulla.
With a roster that includes Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have one of the best starting lineups in the league. They also have a deep bench that can come off the woodwork to make plays when needed.
The Celtics' big-man rotation consists of Al Horford, Robert Williams, and Grant Williams, all of whom are classified at 6-foot-9 or lower, prompting criticism from opposing scouts and general managers. Naturally, they could, but at what price?
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are on a roll this season and making history, and they are now currently the first seed in the East.
Led by star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed "The Greek Freak," along with head coach Mike Budenholzer, they have been playing excellent basketball built around their trademark style of intense defense and timely offense.
Jae Crowder has been traded to the Bucks, but unlike Clarkson or Bojan Bogdanovic, he doesn't address the team's need for a new go-to scorer.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are defying expectations this season, and they are currently in a great position to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Led by head coach Tom Thibodeau and stars Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, the Knicks have quietly found their way into being playoff contenders.
Despite having a tough schedule ahead of them, the Knicks feel confident that they can make it through with their hard work and tenacity.
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets
It's an exciting time for Denver Nuggets fans! They are currently ranked as the best team in the Western Conference.
The incredible success of this team can be attributed to their impressive offense led by Nikola Jokic, who is having an MVP-caliber season.
However, it's not just one player that makes up this great team; each member contributes to maintaining Denver's leading position, with several players adding double-digit points throughout games.
Their defense also ranks as one of the best in the league, which helps them secure wins against even the toughest opponents.
This is proving to be an amazing year for Nuggets fans, and if they keep up this level of performance, no doubt we'll see them competing deep into playoffs!
Memphis Grizzlies
It's been an amazing season so far for the Memphis Grizzlies. Despite all the odds, they have established themselves as a frontrunner this season, placing them second in the Western Conference.
Led by the duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the young and talented roster has shown how special talent can bring life to playoff hopes.
As Morant continues to notch up wins for his team, his development has only put excitement in the future of Memphis basketball! It's going to be quite a show as we watch Memphis rise through the ranks now and make its mark on history this season!
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have been a major surprise for NBA fans this season. After missing the playoffs for 17 consecutive seasons, the Kings are finally making their way back to the Western Conference in a major way!
The team is currently positioned third in the West, despite most analysts predicting them to be near the bottom of the standings. Led by one of the better young cores in De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and others, it's no wonder why they've been playing at such a high level.
The energy surrounding Sacramento has been off the charts as they do their climb up the playoff ladder, and fans can't wait to see what comes next and where this team ends up going!
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been climbing back as playoff contenders after a 65-win season last year. With an impressive starting lineup and a deep bench, the Suns are primed to make some noise in the Western Conference playoffs.
Led by Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, the team is firing on all cylinders and has become one of the most exciting teams to watch in recent memory. Offensively they are averaging 112.7 points per game, while their defense ranks just outside the top 10.
They recently acquired Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a slew of players and draft selections.
The Nets traded Durant and T.J. Warren to Phoenix in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round selections, and a swap of picks in 2028.
Before this season, Durant had requested the Nets to move him throughout the offseason, but they were unable to do so. He came around and agreed to come back to the team. When that time came, Durant wanted to join the Suns more than anywhere else.
A championship is within reach when Kevin Durant is on your basketball team. Prior to this trade, the Suns most likely did not. The technical accuracy that comes with perfect chemistry and good fortune was essential to their near-misses during the last several seasons.
Other Things to Watch For
DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, and Russell Westbrook were all names that had been floating around as potential trade targets for teams looking to make a splash before the deadline.
All four are star players in their own right who can help any team compete for a championship.
DeRozan is averaging 21 points per game while shooting 46% from the field; Beal has been having an amazing season with 22.1 points and 4.2 assists each night; LaVine has been consistently keeping his team in contention with 20.2 points per game; and Westbrook continued to flirt with triple-doubles on a nightly basis, even while coming off the bench.
Westbrook ended up being traded to the Utah Jazz, then bought out to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. We'll see if Westbrook or the other players mentioned pan out or end up going elsewhere this offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers, of course, are another team to watch for. They could make some noise if they sneak into the play-in or a sixth seed with a new roster and a hopefully healthy duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
