SAD NEWS: Boston Celtics STAR TO MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON WITH…..

With the New Year upon us, every team’s wishlist is very different from each other. Some title-contending teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks are focused on improving their rosters while rebuilding teams such as the struggling Detroit Pistons just want to see the light of day again.

It is time to uncover every NBA team’s perfect wish for 2024 as we say goodbye to 2023. While every team won’t get their perfect wish, some will come very close to reaching their ultimate goal this season

The Atlanta Hawks need to find help for Trae Young as soon as possible. The Hawks are not a great team once again with a 12-18 record even though they have something positive to build on with Trae Young as their star. Young is having another All-Star campaign by averaging 28.1 points and 11.3 assists per game despite the lack of star power around him.

Especially in a top-heavy Eastern Conference led by the Celtics, Bucks, and 76ers, the Hawks are close to becoming a consistent playoff team. If the Hawks were to add an All-Star player at a level higher than Dejounte Murray for example, the Hawks might become a legitimate playoff contender. The Hawks are only one All-Star player away from becoming a top-six seed in the East and the likes of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Pascal Siakam could be available for the right price.

The Boston Celtics have everything it takes to win the East and make the Finals because they hold an impressive 24-6 record and rank sixth in offense and third in defense. However, they could always use some depth at the center and forward positions. The Celtics could use a big man desperately, as their depth at that position will show itself as the season drags on if Kristaps Porzingis battles injuries.

Remember, Robert Williams III was used in the trade for Jrue Holiday and only Al Horford can be relied upon to provide backup minutes in the paint. Along with another big man, the Celtics could also use some backup forwards to provide minutes behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In terms of playoff rotation, only Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Al Horford are reliable bench players but that might not be enough and the franchise is hoping for successful additions in the buyout market in a few months.

The Brooklyn Nets have a solid team, but not solid enough to actually be a threat to make it out of the first round of the playoffs. As long as Mikal Bridges starts showing he can be a franchise player, this season will be somewhat of a success. Bridges is averaging 21.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 36.3% from three, but he has room to develop and put up stronger numbers across the board.

Brooklyn is still reeling from the disaster that was a superteam featuring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but they have some hope with Bridges playing at a high level and hopefully becoming an All-Star. Perhaps more importantly, the Nets need to rediscover the former three-time All-Star Ben Simmons and either keep him for the future or trade him for assets. So far, Simmons has not returned to his best and a bounce-back season is something Brooklyn is dreaming about.

The Charlotte Hornets need to find help for LaMelo Ball because the talented guard cannot do it on his own, as evidenced by their record. The Hornets have a poor 7-22 record which is the third-worst in the East and the season is not being helped by the fact that Mikal Bridges continues to deal with allegations off the court.

The Hornets need to find a long-term running partner for LaMelo Ball because currently, the team ranks 27th in offense and cannot find other scorers who can contribute. Terry Rozier has been a warrior for the team but perhaps moving on from him and others including Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington could start a rebuild. Brandon Miller is only 21 years old so he needs a few seasons before showing what he can do.

The Chicago Bulls are staying put with their roster for now, but things could change quickly if and when Zach LaVine gets traded. The shooting guard has been involved in trade rumors all season and seems to be officially on the trading block. The same should go for DeMar DeRozan, a 34-year-old star who is in the final years of his prime.

The Bulls are hoping for a massive haul of draft picks for DeRozan and LaVine, while other players such as Alex Caruso could also bring in some nice assets. Having seen what the Utah Jazz got for Rudy Gobert, the Bulls are hoping to get at least four first-round picks for their All-Star duo and possibly more than that.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have an exciting young core with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen but whether they can contend or not might depend on what happens with Donovan Mitchell. As talented as the youngsters are, they are not on the level of Mitchell who is averaging 27.7 points per game on 45.3% from the field and 35.1% from three.

Mitchell’s future in Cleveland is in doubt but if the franchise can sort that out and get a commitment from one of the best shooting guards in the NBA, they can focus completely on improving their starting lineup and depth. If Mitchell wants to leave, the Cavs are aware that they won’t get back equal value. Therefore, getting the shooting guard to commit to the team could see a rise of the Cavaliers in the East.