There’s no better time for optimism in the NBA than mid-August, a wonderful time when every team is undefeated, most teams are healthy, every rookie could be a steal, and every free agent signing might still be a stroke of genius.

Some teams have more reason to be hopeful than others. There is already a group of teams that are in danger of falling behind their rivals next season. On the other hand, there are also three teams in each conference that have a good chance of making a big jump when the 2024-2025 season officially begins.

Some of these teams were without many star players last year due to injuries. Some brought in powerful rookies, while others brought in proven veterans who are ready to win right away. Here are six teams that will win a lot more games next season than they did last year.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies won 56 games and 51 games in the two seasons before last year’s 27-win disaster. Everything that could go wrong for Memphis did: Ja Morant served a 25-game suspension and then got injured, Steven Adams missed the entire season after knee surgery and Brandon Clarke was out most of the year with a torn Achilles. The Grizzlies may have had a lost year, but they still discovered some gems that can help them in the future. GG Jackson broke out as a second-round rookie as an oversized, off-ball scoring forward, Vince Williams began to develop as a potential 3-and-D wing and the team used its top-10 draft pick to fill its void at center with Purdue center Zach Edey.

With Morant back in the mix this year, the Grizzlies should get back to winning ways. When Morant is at his best, he can be as electrifying as any guard. Edey should make bone-crushing blocks and finish efficiently inside. Jaren Jackson Jr. should get more comfortable playing alongside a traditional big man, and the young wingers will have every opportunity to take another step forward. The West is even more fearsome than the last time the Grizzlies were at their peak, but don’t be surprised if they once again end up in the top half of the conference playoff standings.

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Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers were 31-8 with Joel Embiid on the court last year. The only problem: When he was injured, they were 16-27. Embiid’s torn meniscus in late January doomed the Sixers to the play-in tournament, ultimately leading to a first-round exit. A healthier season from Embiid alone would have made a huge difference for Philly this season, but of course team president Daryl Morey wasn’t satisfied with that. The Sixers absolutely mastered the offseason, signing a max free agent in Paul George and signing Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and reportedly Guerschon Yabusele at bargain prices. Philly probably still needs a starting player at the four alongside Embiid, but there is talent to work with as the February trade deadline approaches.

The hope is that with George’s arrival, Embiid will have less work to do in the regular season and can be at his best in the playoffs. Morey has done an incredible job of rebuilding this roster (he owes the Clippers a fruit basket for George’s low offer). The Sixers haven’t made a conference final since Allen Iverson’s heyday, but they’ll have every chance to finally break through in the East this year.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have won 48 and 46 games each of the last two seasons, respectively, which feels incredible after a 16-year playoff drought. Sacramento knew it needed to make a bold move to compete in the West, and it did so by signing DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls. DeRozan just turned 35 and plays a ball-dominant style without much defense, but he’s still very good. There are few players with a steadier hand in crunch time (and one of them might be his new teammate De’Aaron Fox). He’s still fantastic at getting to the free throw line and defending the ball, and he specializes in making the kind of shots opposing defenses want to allow. The Kings may seem a little odd on paper with the DeRozan signing, but the talent boost provided by Harrison Barnes is undeniable. Add in Sacramento’s brilliant signing of Malik Monk, and this team has enough speed and shooting on the perimeter to cause real problems for opponents.

It’s a huge bummer that rookie Devin Carter is out for six months, but he should get some time in the second half of the season and he’s ready to fit well on this team. If Keegan Murray takes another step and/or Kevin Huerter returns to form, things could get dicey for Sacramento. The Kings have a legitimate Big 3 with DeRozan, Fox and Domantas Sabonis and a better supporting cast than most teams with that much top talent. There are no bad nights in the West, but the Kings feel like a playoff team.

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New York Knicks

The Knicks seemed unbeatable after signing OG Anunoby around the turn of the year last season, going 20-3 with him on the field. A top-notch 3-and-D wing wasn’t enough for the front office, so they upped the ante and made an absurd trade for Mikal Bridges. It felt like the Knicks gave up a Giannis package for a player who’s never made an All-Star team, but he fits this year’s roster like a glove – and not just because he went to Villanova like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Bridges will be a key floor spacer on offense who can also add a dash of shot creation they lack alongside Brunson. No team in the league has a better set of wing stoppers than Bridges and Anunoby. This roster seems tailor-made to put pressure on the Celtics in the East, and there’s a real chance that will happen if head coach Tom Thibodeau doesn’t burn them out before the playoffs begin.

The big question for the Knicks is how they handle the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein at center. Mitchell Robinson is now under tremendous pressure to stay healthy, and that’s never a good bet. An underrated factor for optimism this year is the return of Julius Randle, who had an All-NBA-worthy season before getting injured last year. The Knicks will need a backup to bolster their big man room, but right now, they look like an elite team that should win 50-plus games.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets made a big jump last year in head coach Ime Udoka’s first season, going from 22 to 41 wins. Expectations will be even higher this year, and that’s just because of the internal development. Houston has the strongest young squad in the league and was able to acquire another important player in the form of third-round pick Reed Sheppard. Sheppard is considered the favorite for Rookie of the Year alongside Edey in Memphis at the start of the season, and his skills are a perfect fit for a Rockets team full of top athletes but a little weak on the shooting end.

The Rockets know they’re going to be built around Alperen Şengün, but how the rest will play out is uncertain. Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason all have unique skills in the frontcourt. Amen Thompson has the potential to breakout in his second season, but it’s possible his lack of shooting ability will delay his jump for another year. Was Jalen Green’s winning streak in March actually sustainable? There’s still a lot to decide for the Rockets, but this team is so athletic around Şengün that there should be a path to an above .500 season.

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Charlotte Hornets

It’s hard to remember, but LaMelo Ball was an NBA All-Star just two years ago in his 20th season. Since then, Ball has played 36 and 22 games in the past two seasons, respectively, and the Hornets have been terrible without him. Ball doesn’t have to carry the franchise alone anymore, not after the Hornets drafted another potential star with Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick last year. Ball and Miller can form the best young foundation in the East if both can somehow stay on the court. With the Bulls and Nets voluntarily dropping back this year to chase their Cooper Flagg dreams, the Hornets have a great chance of making the play-in tournament and maybe even the playoffs. The Hornets still have plenty of questions, but they should win more than last year’s 21 games if they get even somewhat healthy.