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Four NBA teams to improve and three to decline, according to the numbers
Will the Nuggets stay atop the league? Can the Pistons make moves toward the playoffs? Here's a projection of which NBA teams will improve from last season and which ones will decline.


TOP HEADLINES

WHERE COULD LILLARD LAND?
If not Miami, where? Constructing realistic Lillard trade options
With talks stalled, our insiders suggest destinations for insider Bobby Marks to break down from the Blazers' POV.
What's holding up a potential Damian Lillard trade?

A BASKETBALL RITE OF PASSAGE
These epic UCLA pickup games get NBA stars back into form
It's the summertime destination for generations of players and star prospects. Rico Hines runs on the UCLA campus is the ultimate pickup game -- with plenty of twists and high stakes.

WILL GIANNIS SIGN AN EXTENSION?
What you need to know about Giannis Antetokounmpo's next contract
The two-time MVP can sign an extension starting Friday and up until Oct. 23. Here's why the next month will be nerve wracking for Milwaukee.

'THIS IS A GOOD, DEEP TEAM'
Why Zach Lowe thinks the Knicks could make the conference finals

FANTASY BASKETBALL
Rankings for 2023-24: Head-to-head points
Where to draft Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, Victor Wembanyama and the rest of your favorite stars in ESPN standard scoring leagues.
Top Headlines
- Middleton not concerned about Giannis' future
- Police told Cavs' Altman he nearly caused wreck
- Oubre expected to sign with 76ers, sources say
- Wemby to play in Paris: 'No other goal than gold'
- Sources: Lakers give Vanderbilt 4-year extension
- Mavs re-sign Markieff Morris, part of Kyrie deal
- Who can be supermax eligible in 2024?
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Illustration by ESPN What a Damian Lillard trade could look like for four NBA teams
With Damian Lillard talks stalled, our insiders come up with possible destinations, and NBA insider Bobby Marks breaks them down from the Blazers' POV.
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) NBA predictions 2023-24: Our expert picks for MVP and every major award this season
Who are the top awards contenders for the 2023-24 season? Our NBA Summer Forecast panel reveals its predictions.
Trending Now
ESPN/Dave McMenamin Why NBA players keep flocking to a hot gym at UCLA: Inside the Rico Hines runs
In what has been the summertime destination for generations of NBA players and star prospects, the Rico Hines runs on the UCLA campus are the ultimate pickup games -- with plenty of twists and high stakes.
USA Today Sports How the NBA's new rules on resting stars will work
The NBA is expected to implement new rules regarding when and how often teams can rest their healthy stars. How will this affect teams like the Clippers, Lakers and Warriors? And will it work?
More NBA coverage on NBA.COM
From the hardwood to the desktop, get additional NBA coverage from the association on NBA.COM