Multiple intriguing plot points ordinarily accompany the NBA season, and 2022-23 is no exception. With the start of a new campaign just days away, here are seven storylines to follow throughout the basketball calendar.
Celtics without Udoka
Coming off a Finals appearance last season, the Boston Celtics will have to attempt to win without head coach Ime Udoka. The franchise suspended him for "violations of team policies" and removed him from an active role this campaign. Boston named longtime assistant Joe Mazzulla the interim head coach. Mazzulla's only head coaching experience took place during two seasons at Division II Fairmont State in West Virginia directly before joining the Celtics.
Injury concerns are mounting before the campaign has even started. Free-agent acquisition Danilo Gallinari tore his ACL playing for Italy in the offseason, and starting center Robert Williams will miss the season's opening months following knee surgery. While both injuries hurt, Gallinari's perimeter shooting off the bench would have added a new dimension to the Celtics. For front-court depth, Boston added Blake Griffin during training camp.
Despite trading for former ROY Malcolm Brogdon by only giving up depth pieces at the beginning of the offseason, the Celtics face an uphill climb to return to the Finals.
Warriors preparing for post-Big 3 future?
The Golden State Warriors are suggesting differently, but Draymond Green's punch to Jordan Poole during practice might have expedited the end of the franchise's Big Three.
Green will almost certainly decline his $27.6-million option next year to seek a better long-term contract. However, it's now difficult to imagine the Warriors making that significant financial commitment. His strike on Poole – in line for his own sizable raise in 2023 – could be what convinces Golden State to instead consider internal options to replace Green long term.
Creative forwards like Green are rarities, but Jonathan Kuminga is potentially the Warriors' best succession option. Defensively, he has the frame and athleticism to disrupt opponents at multiple positions. Even if his passing never reaches Green's level, Kuminga should be a better finisher, if he isn't already. The 7-foot James Wiseman is another intriguing possibility. Wiseman is arguably more polished offensively but may not be as versatile on the other end as Green or Kuminga.
Whatever's decided with Green could also influence Klay Thompson's fate. Thompson's owed $83 million over the next two seasons but understandably looked to have lost a step after returning from nearly three years out with injury. While once unthinkable, the Warriors could now contemplate trading Thompson within the next year if that contract (or the thought of his next one) proves too big a burden.