The NBA’s 2024 All-Star break is over.
This means we’ve only got just about two months of regular-season basketball left before an intense and dramatic postseason. Goodness, where does the time go? Hmm, don’t answer that. (For a look at where the league stands right now, check out our latest NBA power rankings.)
Not everyone in the NBA is thinking about the playoffs or competing for a title like the reigning champion Denver Nuggets or top contender Boston Celtics. There are some otherwise dreadful rebuilding teams (hello, Washington Wizards!) who are already looking to the future and who have different goals to accomplish over the last third of this season. In a 30-team league, most squads are on entirely different timelines for competition. That’s just the nature of the beast.
As we enter what should be a thrilling stretch run, here’s one question all 30 NBA teams must answer before their respective 2023-2024 season comes to a close.