Hope reigns supreme in the August portion of each NBA offseason, as nearly every franchise looks at its roster with eyes on at least competing for a spot in the play-in tournament. Yet those hopes can quickly be dashed before the calendar turns to Thanksgiving.
Young teams struggle to jell as inexperienced players adjust to the rigors of an NBA schedule, and a single injury can derail the greatest of playoff hopes. Tankathons remain en vogue even with the new lottery odds, and with Victor Wembanyama standing as a coveted prize, we could see this year’s festivities begin in January.