Your guide to the 2023-24 NBA Central Division
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The new Galacticos of the NBA Central Division. Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
We've assembled a Smart Brevity primer on the five teams in the NBA's Central Division.
Why it matters: Divisions are mostly meaningless in professional basketball, so this is just to help folks in the Midwest get conversant about the teams in their neck of the woods.
How it works: At the end of the regular season, the top six teams in the Eastern and Western conferences, irrespective of division, automatically qualify for the playoffs.
- Teams ranked 7-10 in each conference play for the final two spots in what's called the "Play-in Tournament."
The bottom line: The Central has two of the NBA's best, two of its worst and at least one of its most promising teams.
Milwaukee Bucks
Last season: (58-24)
Over/under: 53.5
Key additions: Damian Lillard (Portland), Andre Jackson, Jr. (rookie)
Key departures: Jrue Holiday (Boston), Grayson Allen (Phoenix)
Projected starters: Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Pat Connaughton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
The big picture: Lillard is one of the greatest shooters of all time. Antetokounmpo is the most dominant athlete in the sport since LeBron James.
- Together, they are the most fearsome pick-and-roll duo in the NBA. They are the Central Division's prohibitive favorites.
Between the lines: The inexperience of new head coach Adrian Griffin and potential injuries to aging rotation players are the only things holding this squad back from a gaudy win total.
💭 Axios thought bubble: The Bucks and the Celtics should be able to coast at the top of the Eastern Conference without trying too hard.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season: 51-31
Over/under: 50.5
Key additions: Max Strus (Miami), Georges Niang (Philadelphia), Ty Jerome (Golden State)
Key departures: Cedi Osman (San Antonio), Lamar Stevens (Boston), Ricky Rubio (mental health)
Projected starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
The big picture: The Cavs had the league's best defense for much of last season and have supplemented their young core with lethal long-range shooters.
Between the lines: The rumored imminent departure of Mitchell raises the stakes this year.
- Regular season dominance and a deep playoff run may be the best pitch to keep him around.
💭 Axios Cleveland thought bubble: A repeat 50-win season and the three-seed in the East seems like a milquetoast bet at this point, but that's where they'll end up.
- A gutsy second-round playoff exit versus Boston or Milwaukee seems likewise preordained.
Chicago Bulls
Last season: (40-42)
Over/under: 37.5
Key additions: Torrey Craig (Phoenix), Jevon Carter (Milwaukee)
Key departures: Derrick Jones Jr. (Dallas), Patrick Beverly (Philadelphia)
Projected starters: Coby White, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vučević.
The big picture: The Bulls will try to improve on their play-in appearance last season without Lonzo Ball... again.
- The point guard is already out for the season with his ailing knee.
Between the lines: Head coach Billy Donovan wants the team to shoot more three-pointers this season; last year they were worst in the league in attempts.
💭 Axios Chicago thought bubble: If the Bulls had kept Patrick Beverly, they'd be planning parades in Grant Park. Instead, they'll be .500 and miss the playoffs.
Indiana Pacers
Last season: 35-47
Over/under: 39.5
Key additions: Bruce Brown (Denver), Obi Toppin (New York), Jarace Walker (rookie)
Key departures: Chris Duarte (Sacramento), Oshae Brissett (Boston)
Projected starters: Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin, Myles Turner
The big picture: The Pacers are fast approaching darling status among the NBA punditry. With Haliburton's transcendent passing, Brown's Swiss-Army-knife defense and Mathurin's and Toppin's highlight-reel potential, this team should leap off TV screens and up the conference standings.
Between the lines: The bench mob, with crafty players like T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard and monster rookie Jarace Walker, could be among the most fun in the league.
💭 Axios Indianapolis thought bubble: The Pacers just gave $45 million to Brown, who has never been a full-time NBA starter, which tells you all you need to know about how hard the Pacers are trying — and how far they have to go.
Detroit Pistons
Last season: 17-65
Over/under: 28.5
Key additions: Joe Harris (Brooklyn), Monte Morris (Washington), Ausar Thompson (rookie)
Key departures: Cory Joseph (Golden State), Hamidou Diallo (out of league)
Projected starters: Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren
The big picture: Detroit gave head coach Monty Williams the biggest coaching contract in NBA history this summer. He'll be tasked with molding this roster of raw, talented youngsters into coherent lineups.
- Cunningham, the number-one overall draft pick in 2021, should return to All-Star form after a season cut short by injury last year.
Between the lines: This may be the final season for heralded prospects Killian Hayes, Marvin Bagley Jr. and James Wiseman to prove that they are worthy of NBA roster spots.
💭 Axios Detroit thought bubble: Don't expect many more wins than last year, this is the year the Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham, will finally find an identity.
Axios reporters James Briggs, Justin Kaufmann and Sam Robinson contributed to this story.