Every NBA Team's X-Factor- Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics- Al Horford/Kristaps Prozingis:
The Celtics are running it back after winning the title last year, which makes it difficult to
find the x-factor, but the Celtics' big-man duo is the best choice. Kristaps Porzingis is
expected to miss the first couple of months this season after undergoing surgery in the
off-season, which means Al Horford will be relied on more during the regular season.
While Horford is still a productive player, he is 38 years old and is much more fit for a
bench role than 30 minutes a night as a starter.
Boston will likely use Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta more, but neither player
offers what Horford does as a versatile defender or a floor spacer, and neither
stretches the defense like Porzingis. Kristaps has dealt with injuries throughout his entire
career and his absence can be felt. Boston was fine without him in the playoffs last
year when he missed time, but teams have improved out East, and Horford has not
gotten any younger. Between Horford's age and Kristap's injury history, the center
position could be more of a problem than anticipated in Boston.
Despite that, Boston is still an elite (with or without Porzingis) and the favorites in the
East. The center position could be what makes or breaks them this season.
Brooklyn Nets- Cam Thomas:
The Nets may be the worst team in the league this year. Their X-factor needs to
show an improved game overall, and the potential to be a building block for the
future. Cam Thomas can score with the best of them, as he is a tough shot-taker and
maker, but he has not shown much else besides scoring ability since entering the
league. He has a chance to run the show without Mikal Bridges, on a Nets roster
lacking talent. He needs to show he can create for his teammates as well as himself.
Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game last year, in 31 minutes a night, but only 3
assists (career high). Without another pure scorer on the roster, Thomas will need to put
up 20 shots a night this season, but they can’t be forced shots. If he wants to be more
than a microwave 6th man in this league, he’s going to need to improve his all-around
game.
If Thomas is going to be the Net’s shooting guard of the future, it will be improved
passing that gets him there, not high-volume shooting and poor efficiency. In a rebuilding
year, with a boatload of picks (thanks to the Bridges trade), the Nets are going to make
Thomas a part of the rebuild one way or another. He’ll either solidify a roster spot or
be shipped to a new team for more draft capital.
New York Knicks- Karl-Anthony Towns:
Julius Randle was the selection here until the Knicks and Timberwolves made a
blockbuster deal out of nowhere. In exchange for Randle, Donte DiVincenzo,
and a first-round pick, the Knicks received perennial all-star and All-NBA center Karl
Anthony-Towns. The goal of the team is to build a perfect lineup around Jalen Brunson.
Randle’s odd fit on the team, coupled with Mitchell Robinson’s injury concerns, had
the Knick’s starting lineup up in the air. After the trade, a lineup of Brunson, Towns,
Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby is full of perimeter defense and spacing. As
the best shooter on the roster, Towns is the X-factor. He will be able to open up the
floor for his teammates.
This is still Brunson’s team though, and for the lineup to work, Towns will have to play
more off the ball than he did last season and accept the role of a secondary scoring
option, and floor spacer. He is no longer the big fish in a small pond.
Another variable that makes Towns the X-factor for the Knicks is his defense. He is a
fine defender, but often commits dumb fouls early, and spends large chunks of time on
the bench. Head coach Tom Thibodeau plays his starters heavy minutes, and with
uncertainty over Robinson’s health, Towns may be asked to play 34 minutes a night. He
will also be asked to anchor the defense in the paint, something he does not excel at.
The Timberwolves had acquired Rudy Gobert in part to move Towns to power
forward, but also to help him in the paint. The Knicks wing defenders are elite, but
Towns will not have help in the paint, which could present issues when he’s guarding
players like Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, and others out East.
If Towns can play his role and try not to do too much, the Knicks offense should be one
of the best in the league. If he can hold his own defensively, the Knicks could be a title
favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers- Caleb Martin:
The Sixers made a big splash this off-season by signing Paul George to a max contract,
but they also added a versatile wing defender with an underrated offensive game,
in Caleb Martin.
After two seasons of minimal production in Charlotte, Martin signed a 2-way deal with
the Heat and outperformed everyone's expectations. He was a solid bench piece for
Miami in his first season there, but in 2022-2023, he transformed during the
playoffs into a 2-way star. He would play well in the first two series of the playoffs,
but in the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Celtics, he averaged 19 points and 6
rebounds a game in a 4-3 series victory.
There was hope that his postseason performance would elevate him the
following year, but due to injuries, he never found a rhythm and became a free agent.
The Sixers felt Martin was the best power forward on the market, and felt he’d be a
great fit alongside George and Kelly Oubre.
The main reasons Martin is Philly’s X-factor are his inconsistent shot and less-than-ideal
size for a power forward. Due to the 76ers roster build, he could be stuck guarding up
in size, which could cause issues. Martin can handle positions 1-3 on defense
but is only 6'5, 205, and could struggle with bigger bodies if he does end up guarding the
4's. Oubre could wind up being the one guarding the bigger bodies as he is more
physical than Martin, but if Martin can fit in as the power forward, Philly will have an
even more dangerous starting five than anticipated.
Embiid, Maxey, and George are all known commodities, who are offensive stars, but
Philly needs players to step up defensively. Martin is probably the best defender on the
roster after Embiid and George. He needs to have his A-game more often than not, and
his consistency on both ends of the floor will be key for Philly.
Toronto Raptors- Immanuel Quickley:
Trading Pascal Siakim might indicate the Raptors are in a mini rebuild. They also
traded OG Anunoby to New York for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. The latter
was one of the best sixth men in the league last season for the Knicks but was viewed
as a player who could thrive as a starter.
Quickley averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Raptors last year (all
career highs). His performance landed him a new contract with the team, making him
their franchise point guard. The Raptors feel he can improve on his stats from 2023-24.
Quickley is lightning-fast and extremely shifty which allows him to hunt shots and
create shots for others. He put up career numbers in just half a season on a new team,
and with a full off-season under his belt, he should be more comfortable with the
Raptors.
Most importantly, Quickley and franchise star Scottie Barnes fit perfectly together.
Barnes is a point forward who has a great feel for the game, which makes him a great
playmaker, and a triple-double threat every night.
Quickley is great with the ball in his hands, but can also play off the ball, as he is an
above-average three-point shooter. He and Barnes create a strong pick-and-roll duo for
other teams to deal with. Whether it's Barnes setting the screen for IQ, or IQ setting the
screen for Barnes to attack smaller defenders, the duo creates problems for
opposing defenses.
The Raptors are not close to contending yet, but Quickley’s ceiling is what makes him
their X-factor. If he can reach another level this year, it elevates the Raptors ceiling for
this season and the future.
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