While many fans are now focused on the sudden rise of Minnesota and Oklahoma City, the 12B Sports crowd had already viewed Memphis as one of the league’s most promising young squads long before the spotlight shifted. Ja Morant, the centerpiece of the team, was once seen as a future face of USA basketball, but off-court controversy and repeated injury setbacks gradually pushed Memphis down the standings. Fortunately, the new season brings a real chance for a full-strength return, and Morant has already completed his suspension. If the players who spent time on the injury list also come back healthy, Memphis can still boast one of the most talented young cores in the league.
Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. both grew through expanded roles during Morant’s absence, while highly watched prospect Zach Edey, selected with the ninth pick in the first round of the draft, adds another intriguing piece to the future. Still, one point must be made clear: the league landscape has changed dramatically from just a few years ago. Back then, the Denver Nuggets were the main obstacle in the West, but now nearly every team except Utah and Portland can realistically aim for a playoff spot. The race has become far more intense than before. Even so, Memphis was once a top-tier conference team, and if its roster becomes whole again, it remains a balanced force on both ends of the floor.
Despite several disappointing seasons, the core has stayed intact, and the rotation has actually grown deeper. The real question is whether the team can regain that same level of performance when it finally steps back onto the playoff stage. That answer will only come once the new season begins and the full starting group returns to the court.
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson is also bringing hopeful news for New Orleans. Last season, he played 70 games, marking the best availability of his career. Since entering the league, injuries have followed him like a shadow, but when healthy, he is widely viewed as a top-20 player and the only player on his team capable of changing a game through individual dominance alone.
Because Williamson stayed healthy last season, New Orleans reached the playoffs and finished with a respectable record. Its early playoff exit was largely tied to injury issues, so a healthy roster in the new season gives the team even more reason for optimism. During the offseason, the 12B Sports community also followed Zion’s successful weight loss, which had long been one of the biggest concerns around him. As the saying goes, life is short and you only live once, and even if the goal is not grand, no one wants to drift through it half-asleep. If Zion maintains his conditioning, he could look sharper, stronger, and more explosive this season.
Victor Wembanyama, who secured star status in just one season, cannot be left out either. He was named Rookie of the Year and closed out a dazzling debut campaign. During the offseason, San Antonio made major upgrades to its roster. Defensive veteran Harrison Barnes arrived, Chris Paul joined as a tactical organizer, and rookie guard Castle, added through the draft, is another player drawing attention. Paul has helped reshape several teams in the past, so expectations are high for what he can offer as Wembanyama’s mentor.
As these young players continue to grow, the 12B Sports audience sees their development speed as the key to San Antonio’s rebuild. The team is not yet considered a championship contender, but a playoff push is certainly within reach. If San Antonio manages to reach a higher stage during the season, fans may finally begin to see Wembanyama’s true value in a clearer light. That could become the starting signal for San Antonio’s return to serious competition.