5 Lottery Teams With Best Chances of Making the NBA Playoffs Next Season

[{"selector":"#anim-dde240cb-b204-4560-93ec-01c46537f804","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 2022-23 NBA season saw some shocking results seeing several potential playoff contenders drop into the lottery zone.

[{"selector":"#anim-d560fa6a-0ab9-4eab-a571-d00e58464a21","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 2023 offseason has seen most of these teams upgrade their rosters. We look at 5 lottery teams with the best chances of making the postseason.

1. Dallas Mavericks

[{"selector":"#anim-e560c216-f298-4605-a49b-d9e783ddf4aa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Mavs have added adequate supporting cast around Kyrie and Luka to improve on their losing record from last season and make the playoffs.

2. Indiana Pacers

[{"selector":"#anim-d86ce2bd-8a85-4cf0-a072-4a1c338fc626","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Pacers have a playoff worthy squad after they added Bruce Brown and retained other core players like Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.

3. New Orleans Pelicans

[{"selector":"#anim-66ccd44c-c52c-47fe-9594-ebb0224d3425","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The New Orleans Pelicans nearly made it to the playoffs as a top 6 seed last year. With more continuity, they could finally get there next season.

4. OKC Thunder

[{"selector":"#anim-ea806174-7bc5-42b1-ae46-05edfce5d4e3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Thunder will have Chet Holmgren make his debut this year. They nearly made it past the play in tournament last season without him.

5. Houston Rockets

[{"selector":"#anim-08c9748b-a186-4a60-b6a2-e0096d7e8499","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Rockets added veteran depth this season by signing VanVleet, Brooks and Jeff Green. They have a solid roster, which could significantly improve after a 60-loss season.

[{"selector":"#anim-2638d40f-0179-4331-a634-682f362d831a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] SWIPE UP to read the top 5 NBA offseason predictions? Learn more