The Golden State Warriors won the 2022 NBA Championship, their fourth title in eight years. They will have a strong roster once again as they look to defend their championship, but they will be challenged by several teams.
This is as wide open as the race for a championship has been for a long time. Several teams can make legitimate cases as being the favorites to win the championship this season as there is a ton of parity in the league this season.
But, there are still a few teams that are ahead of the rest of the league by a tier or two. Which teams are in the best position to win a championship? Here are four teams best equipped to contend for a title in 2023 and two dark horse teams as well.
LA Clippers
The LA Clippers are returning with a vengeance this season. After making the Western Conference Finals in 2021, they are looking to build upon that now that they are healthy once again. Kawhi Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 campaign and Paul George played in only 31 games.
Behind their two All-Stars, the Clippers have arguably the deepest, most talented roster in the NBA. Robert Covington, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris Sr., Ivica Zubac, Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson, John Wall, Brandon Boston Jr., Amir Coffey and Niclas Batum can be rotation players on virtually any team in the NBA. Add in the excellent coaching of Tyronn Lue and this team can do some damage.
Depth is a necessity if you want to make a deep run in the postseason and the Clippers have that in spades. Add in the coaching advantage they have over most teams and it is easy to see why they are equipped to contend.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers made a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2022 deadline acquiring James Harden from the Brooklyn Nets for a package that included Ben Simmons. Harden did not live up to expectations as the running mate for Joel Embiid, but now that he is healthy, they are a dangerous duo.
Add in the emerging Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers have one of the best offensive trios in the NBA. It doesn’t get much better than Tobias Harris as a fourth option and Daryl Morey did a good job of filling holes and upgrading the depth of the roster in the offseason.
This is the Houston Rockets-East, as P.J. Tucker, Danuel House Jr. and Montrezl Harrell all re-joined Harden and Morey in the City of Brotherly Love. De’Anthony Melton is an underrated pickup to shore up the backcourt and Doc Rivers is as experienced as they come at head coach.