NEW YORK – This summer, a few NBA clubs have advanced significantly thanks to a mix of deft draft choices, trades, and/or free agency signings.

However, we only take into account the team’s decisions when determining the top five, not the return of individual players from injuries. The Memphis Grizzlies, for instance, may see the largest increase in wins (from 27 to 55 the previous season), but it will mostly be attributable to Ja Morant and other players staying healthy rather than Zach Edey (who does seem like a good match) adding another 25 wins on his own.

The Detroit Pistons

Achieving more victories than the 14 from the previous season shouldn’t be difficult, since Detroit could be the only team to conceivably double its win total in 2024–2025.

Although Detroit has signed a few rotation players this offseason that will have them looking like a competent NBA organization for the first time in years, nobody will mistake the Pistons for a playoff team come next season.

With the signings of Beasley (41.3 percent, 2.8 made threes per game), Tobias Harris (35.3 percent, 1.3 per game), and Hardaway Jr. (35.3 percent, 2.7 per game), the Pistons were able to significantly increase their shooting. Detroit finished the previous season ranked 26th in accuracy (34.8 percent) and tied for worst in made threes per game (11.0).

With his stature and passing prowess, Cade Cunningham is a high-level playmaker. Surrounding him with true NBA veterans who can hit big baskets would significantly boost an offense that finished the season ranked only 27th overall (109.0 rating).

Although Holland doesn’t improve the team’s shooting, Jonathan Wasserman, a draft specialist for Bleacher Report, ranked him as the top player in the 2024 class. Still just eighteen, he’s a large, agile wing with All-Star potential should the three-point shooting materialize.

J.B. is the new head coach. Before the team traded for Donovan Mitchell, Bickerstaff performed a fantastic job grooming young talent with the Cleveland Cavaliers, doubling their win total from 22 in 2020–21 to 44 in 2021–22.

Detroit found a more suitable head coach, recruited a number of legitimate NBA players, and selected another top prospect in the draft. This team is finally headed in the right direction, and this season will see significant improvements.

New York Knicks

It would seem difficult to improve on winning 50 games and earning the No. 2 seed in the East, but the Knicks could potentially win 60 games this season if they sign OG Anunoby again and add one of the finest two-way wings in the NBA.

Anunoby helped New York go 26-6 in the regular season and the Knicks were even more successful when he was a small forward (plus-25.3 net rating) as opposed to a power forward (plus-17.0), according to Cleaning the Glass. Anunoby could get more action on the wing now that Julius Randle is back to full health, adding extra size and length to the Knicks starting lineup.

Mikal Bridges is a huge shooting guard who stands 6’6″ and has a wingspan of 7’1″. He shot 38.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes last season and could receive a lot more open looks when he plays with players like Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and others. The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown are the ideal counterpoint for Bridges and Anunoby, as the Knicks front management has built this squad to upset the defending champions.

This team has a lot of depth outside of the center position, especially considering that Randle and Bridges will probably start over Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo off the bench. Before the playoffs start, Cameron Payne and rookie Tyler Kolek, both 23 years old, will work to limit Brunson’s playing time. Tyler Kolek may be prepared to go into a rotation position shortly.

The trio of Brunson, Randle, and Anunoby produced a net rating of plus-26.1 (100th percentile, according to Cleaning the Glass) in their 582 possessions collectively, giving us a peek of what this squad has the potential to become.

It sucks to lose Isaiah Hartenstein, but the Knicks will be fighting for the top slot in the East after signing Bridges, re-signing Anunoby, and adding some excellent pieces around the perimeter.