6 New Faces Who Could Shake Up the NBA Playoff Picture

When it comes to a potential changing face of the NBA this season, newcomers can be defined in a variety of ways.

You start, obviously, with the ultimate strangers – rookies – and this could be a monster year for the barely-non-teen-agers.

But will they impact the standings? Probably not.

Then there are the headline-grabbers. You know, the guys whose moves impacted betting lines over the summer.

No need for introduction. You’re familiar with Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown.

And then there are guys who technically don’t qualify, but don’t tell that to their hometown fans. Tyrese Haliburton, Jimmy Butler III, Kyrie Irving and Fred VanVleet … their returns from injury this season almost surely will improve their teams by a collective 50 games. Heck, maybe even 100.

But like I said: They aren’t really newcomers.

So what’s left? I’ve identified six somewhat under-the-radar imports that might not win their new team a championship, but I’m willing to make a six-team parlay that we’ll see all six in the playoffs this year.

Here they are:

PEYTON WATSON, CAVALIERS

Most would argue the 76ers won the LeBron Sweepstakes, but I would disagree. Turns out, the Cavaliers will be a lot better off without him.

The Cavs were a player away from making the NBA Finals last season, then went into the postseason believing that guy was LeBron. When he slammed the door, speculation shifted to possibly trading Evan Mobley or selling off James Harden, but it turns out they didn’t have to do either.

At a bargain-basement discount, the Cavs were able to add one of the league’s most underappreciated players (especially by the Nuggets) and now someone with a huge incentive to prove he deserved the raise his new team bestowed upon him. Look out, East, this team is for real.

LAMELO BALL, TIMBERWOLVES

If you’re going to compete with the big boys in the West, you’ve got to take chances because the Spurs and Thunder aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. While most of their we’ll-settle-for-third-place rivals chickened out, the Timberwolves went for it, taking a could-get-all-of-us-fired big swing in acquiring the flashy, yet temperamental, Ball from the Hornets at the rather hefty price of Naz Reid.

Can Ball and Anthony Edwards possibly coexist? It’s happened before. If Ball could find a way to keep his older brothers well fed on the playground, I’ve gotta believe Edwards will enjoy the faster pace he brings.

Having also jettisoned Julius Randle, the Timberwolves are now young and energetic – in other words, almost exactly what every other Western contender besides the Big Two isn’t. If you enjoy fireworks, it’ll be fun to watch … maybe all the way into May.

NAZ REID, HORNETS

Speaking of Reid, a guy never deemed worthy of 28 minutes a game in Minnesota gets his chance to shine as the soon-to-be new face of the Hornets, who not only dealt Ball since we last enjoyed watching them but also unloaded Miles Bridges. Call it addition by addition and some serious subtraction.

It was once suggested (by me) that Charlotte trade Miles for not-brother Mikal Bridges in order to maximize its pace of play. I now stand corrected – the Hornets are way better off with Reid.

These guys already improved by 25 games last season. With Reid, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel now leading the way … well, let’s see how many times Joel Embiid and Paul George suit up this season before we project anything crazy.

JA MORANT, TRAIL BLAZERS

The Trail Blazers demonstrated last season: If you want to make the playoffs in the NBA, just play harder than the other guys. You’d be surprised how often that works in the load-management era.

But they also learned a valuable lesson: If you want to have that same level of success in the playoffs, you need to have experienced leadership.

Portland now has that … not necessarily with a loose cannon like Morant, but with the babysitter they employ – Damian Lillard, who sat out last season and is well rested for this tall task. If new coach Micah Nori is bold enough to play the point guards side-by-side, it could take the Trail Blazers to another level.

Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe began the process last season, helping the Trail Blazers turn the potential disaster of losing coach Chauncey Billups after Opening Night into a six-game improvement and a playoff spot ahead of the likes of the Clippers, Warriors and Mavericks. This year: Beware, Lakers.

MILES BRIDGES, SUNS

The Suns were another team that made you earn your wins against them last year, embodying the competitive fire of Dillon Brooks.

Don’t look now, but there’s a new deputy sheriff in the desert and his name is Miles, a body-bashing board sweeper who puts the word power ahead of forward.

Nobody is going to want to play these guys this year, which basically assures another trip to the playoffs, where they could hurt – if not beat – somebody.

MARCUS SMART, ROCKETS

The Rockets once had Brooks. They thought they’d be better off without him last season, and maybe they would have been had they actually had a healthy point guard to take his place.

Now they do. Two in fact, with the trustworthy VanVleet returning from a season-long injury and Smart bringing his 118 games of generally successful playoff experience.

All of a sudden, the Rockets are a nice mix of young talent (led by Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.) and playoff-tested veterans (don’t forget, they still have Kevin Durant). Memo to the Spurs and Thunder … Your goal this season: Avoid these guys in the playoffs for as long as possible.