Predicting Next Year's NBA Playoff Teams

Even though we're not even out of the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, it's never too early to start looking at what the next NBA season will hold.

The start of the 2012-13 season is more than five months away, which is the perfect time to start predicting what teams will be playing postseason basketball at this time next year.

Of course you'll see the perennial powerhouses like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers in the 2013 playoff picture, but there are also a few teams that are destined to make playoff appearances for the first time in a few years.

Ahead you'll find complete predictions of every team that will be playing in the 2012-13 NBA playoffs.   

Team's Left on the Bubble

Western Conference 

Dallas Mavericks - Heading into the 2012-13 season the Mavericks biggest hurdle to overcome will be the age on their team.  The foundational talent of their franchise is all over the age of 33-years-old, and that's too old to compete in a stacked Western Conference over the span of a full 82-game season.

The Mavericks' age will finally catch up to them next season.

Houston Rockets - Much like this season, the Rockets will be left out of the playoff picture at the end of next season because they just aren't experienced enough.

The Rockets' roster lacks veterans and playoff experience, and that's the reason why they'll be on the outside looking in when the playoffs start next season.

Eastern Conference

Orlando Magic - The Magic made it into the playoffs this season mainly because of the wins they had while Dwight Howard was on their roster.  Without Howard, the Magic consistently struggled, and that's what will happen next season if D12 isn't on the Magic's roster.

With all the drama in Orlando around their head coach and Howard, there's no way they'll be able to focus enough to make their sixth straight playoff appearance.

Boston Celtics -  This one might come as a shock, but the Celtics won't be in the playoffs next year, and the main reason for that is that their roster will look a lot different than it does now.  The Celtics only have six players under contract for next season, which means they'll be faced with difficult roster-related decisions moving forward.

The uncertainty surrounding the Celtics heading into next season, including possibly losing Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, will create enough uncertainty to keep them out of the playoffs.  

Western Conference: No. 8 Denver Nuggets

2011-12 Record:  36-28

Projected 2012-13 Record: 44-38 

The foundation of the Nuggets' success this season was their high-powered offense, and while that will certainly return next season, their lack of defense will move them down the playoff ranks in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets could possibly be losing Andre Miller next season, which will be a big loss of production for them coming off the bench.  If the Nuggets lose Miller this offseason, they will certainly have to find a backup that can pick up where Miller left off because if they don't, they could fall out of the playoff picture.

With that being said, there aren't many teams in the West that can run with the Nuggets' offense, which will be at the foundation of a playoff appearance next season.  Unfortunately for the Nuggets there aren't many teams in the West that they can hang with defensively, which is why they will drop to the eighth seed in the West next season. 

Western Conference: No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves

2011-12 Record:  26-40

Projected 2012-13 Record:  45-37

Finally, the Timberwovles are back in the playoffs for the first time in the post-Kevin Garnett era.  The Timberwolves have one of the youngest and most athletic rosters in the league.  With another year of experience, that youth will finally be a strength instead of a hindrance. 

With Ricky Rubio back from his torn ACL, Kevin Love pumping out double-doubles and players like Derrick Williams and Nikola Pekovic with one more year under their belt, the Timberwolves will finally be ready to contend again in the Western Conference.

The T'Wolves have been throughout their fair share of growing pains.  While they may not legitimately contend for a title next season, they will certainly make their triumphant return to the playoffs.

Western Conference: No. 6 Utah Jazz

2011-12 Record:  36-30

Projected 2012-13 Record:  47-35

I know it might seem silly to put the Jazz as high as the sixth seed in the West, since they're currently getting trounced by the dominant San Antonio Spurs, but the Jazz are a young team that will quickly develop into a legitimate contender in the West.

The one area the Jazz need to improve next season is their defense, which currently ranks 23rd in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 99 points per game this season.  If the Jazz can solidify their defense, specifically at the two-guard spot, the Jazz can undoubtedly be the sixth seed in the West, if not higher.

With the consistently underappreciated Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap anchoring the Jazz's frontcourt and Devin Harris returning to his All-Star form, the Jazz will be an extremely dangerous team next season. 

Western Conference: No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

2011-12 Record:  40-26

Projected 2012-13 Record:  51-31

The Los Angeles Clippers certainly met expectations this season with their first return to the postseason in the past five years.  The expectations for the Clippers next season will be that much higher, though, with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul having a full year of experience together under their belt.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, while they'll undoubtedly meet expectations of reaching the playoffs for a second year in a row, they won't improve their seeding.  This offseason they will be forced to make difficult decisions on whether or not to bring back certain players, like Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups, Nick Young and Randy Foye.

With uncertainty surrounding the Clippers' roster next season, they will once again go through early season growing pains until they find a solidified bench rotation that can help them take their game to the next level in the West. 

Western Conference: No. 4 San Antonio Spurs

2011-12 Record:  50-16

Projected 2012-13 Record: 53-29

The thought of the San Antonio Spurs dropping 13 more games next year than they lost this year is certainly somewhat shocking, but it's not all that unrealistic.

With Tim Duncan entering the free-agency pool this upcoming summer, there's a possibility, albeit slim, that he won't be on the Spurs in the upcoming season, and there's no way the Spurs can be as good of a team without him on their roster.  

There's no doubt that Gregg Popovich will be able to coach the Spurs into the playoffs next season, no matter what talent they have, but their seeding won't be nearly as high as it was this year.  The Spurs are getting older like every other NBA team, but their problem is that their foundational talent will all be above 30-years-old when next season tips off. 

Western Conference: No. 3 Memphis Grizzlies

2011-12 Record:  41-25

Projected 2012-13 Record:  56-26

The Memphis Grizzlies have certainly developed into a well-rounded and explosive team.  With O.J. Mayo coming off the bench this season the Grizzlies have finally found the rotation that works best for them.

Their biggest question mark heading into next season is whether or not O.J. Mayo will be back next season, as he's in the "qualifying offer" year of his contract.  Aside from the uncertainty surrounding Mayo, the Grizzlies have one of the most intact rosters heading into next year, and consistency will help them move up the ranks in the Western Conference.

What makes the Grizzlies such a special team is the fact that they are cohesive.  At the forefront of the Grizzlies attack is the frontcourt duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who give the Grizzlies one of the most dominant frontcourt tandems in the game.  Keep your eyes on the Grizzlies next season; they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Western Conference: No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder

2011-12 Record:  47-19

Projected 2012-13 Record:  58-24

There's no doubt that the Oklahoma City Thunder have the talent and production they need to obtain the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but every year they just can't seem to do it.  That won't change next season for the Thunder, as they'll fall short of that goal once again.

Something to watch for OKC fans heading into next season is how the Thunder handle their late first-round draft pick this summer.  With the right draft pick, like a Fab Melo or Festus Ezeli, the Thunder could seriously improve their bench production which is an integral part of them improving as a team.

As usual, the Thunder will be one of the most consistent and dangerous teams in the Western Conference next year, but they won't be able to lock up the No. 1 overall seed for the first time in franchise history.  The good news for Thunder fans though is that the Thunder don't need the No. 1 seed to run through the West, like they're proving this season. 

Western Conference: No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers

2011-12 Record:  41-25

Projected 2012-13 Record:  59-23

The Los Angeles Lakers' investment in Andrew Bynum has finally paid off, as he's turned into one of the most complete and efficient centers in the game today.  With Bynum and Gasol solidifying the Lakers' frontcourt and Kobe still dominating everyone he faces, the Lakers will be the team to beat in the West next year.

The Lakers will also be one of the most active teams this offseason because they'll be looking to either sign a veteran point guard like Steve Nash or a young point guard for the future, like Ramon Sessions or Goran Dragic.  If the Lakers can manage to also sign an athletic forward, like Michael Beasley or Nicolas Batum, they will be one difficult team to hang with.

Kobe Bryant will once again lead the Lakers to dominance in the West, proving that no matter how old he is, he is still one of the best players to have ever played the game.  

Eastern Conference: No. 8 Cleveland Cavaliers

2011-12 Record:  21-45

Projected 2012-13 Record:  40-42

The Cleveland Cavaliers looked like they were going to return to the postseason this season, because they were in the playoff picture throughout the first half of the season.  The Cavs' youth got the best of them though because their early season success failed to carry over into the second half of the season.

With Kyrie Irving leading the way and four draft picks this upcoming summer, the Cavaliers will be a very dangerous team heading into next season.  If the Cavaliers can draft players that fit their system and meet their needs, they will become a legitimate playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

If Irving and company can help the Cavs return to the postseason for the first time in the post-LeBron era, Cavaliers' fans will move one step closer to forgetting about LeBron, which is something they desperately need to do.  As an eighth seed in the East, the Cavaliers could do some damage in the playoffs next year, much like the young and athletic 76ers are doing this year. 

Eastern Conference: No. 7 Milwaukee Bucks

2011-12 Record:  31-35

Projected 2012-13 Record:  42-40

The Milwaukee Bucks made one of the best trades of the season when they dropped off their oft-injured center, Andrew Bogut, and the overpriced contract of Stephen Jackson for one go the most explosive scorers in the league, Monta Ellis.

With Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings creating one of the most prolific backcourts in the game, all the Bucks need to contend in the East is to develop their frontcourt play.  That's exactly what they'll hope to do with Kwame Brown and their lottery pick in this upcoming draft.

The Bucks were only a few wins away from reaching the playoffs this season.  With increased chemistry among Ellis, Jennings and the Bucks' young talent like Ersan Ilyasova and Tobias Harris, the playoffs will certainly be a part of the Bucks' 2012-13 campaign.  

Eastern Conference: No. 6 Atlanta Hawks

2011-12 Record:  40-26

Projected 2012-13 Record:  45-37

The Atlanta Hawks have been in the playoffs for the past four seasons and that streak won't end next season because as they have the experience and production they need to get to the postseason again.

The Hawks' main issue heading into next year will be the return of Al Horford to the starting lineup and who will actually be on the Hawks' 2012-13 roster because they only have six players under contract heading into next year.

The Hawks will have to completely rebuild their bench rotation.  While that will be a challenging task, the Hawks' front office will be up to the challenge.  It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with players like Marvin Williams and Josh Smith, who have requested trades throughout the past few seasons.  While the Hawks will once again be a playoff team next year, they won't be one of the top seeds in the East because they'll have too many questions heading into the 2012-13 season 

Eastern Conference: No. 5 New York Knicks

2011-12 Record:  36-30

Projected 2012-13 Record:  46-36

The biggest issue facing the New York Knicks heading into next season isn't what happens with Jeremy Lin or free agents like Steve Novak and Baron Davis, it is whether or not Mike Woodson will be retained as their head coach.

If the Knicks know what's good for them, they'll keep Woodson because he's proven that he knows how to handle the personalities of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.  I expect the Knicks to be one of the more active teams this offseason, pursuing either a veteran shooting guard like Ray Allen or an athletic forward to solidify the three-spot in their rotation.

Even if the Knicks fail to re-sign Jeremy Lin this offseason, they will still be a legitimate playoff contender because the talent of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony will lead all the way to the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Eastern Conference: No. 4 Indiana Pacers

2011-12 Record:  42-24

Projected 2012-13 Record: 49-33

One of the most surprising teams of this season is the Indiana Pacers, who played themselves into the three seed in the East.  A large component of their success this year has been the play of Roy Hibbert, who unfortunately for the Pacers, will be in the qualifying-offer year of his contract his upcoming offseason.

If the Pacers fail to hold onto Hibbert this offseason they will take a step back as a franchise, but fortunately for the Pacers, the likelihood of that happening is slim-to-none.  With players like David West, Danny Granger, Tyler Hansbrough and Darren Collison returning next year, the Pacers will once again be a top-contender in the East.

The Pacers won't be as high of a seed as they were this year though.  Even though they will be just as good, the level of competition in the East will be that much better.  The Pacers will certainly contend next season, but the competition and length of the regular season will keep them from reaching the three seed. 

Eastern Conference: No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers

2011-12 Record:  35-31  

Projected 2012-13 Record:  50-32

Remember that Philadelphia 76ers team we saw in the first half of the season this year that started off 20-9 overall before falling apart in the second half of the season?  Well that's the version of the Sixers we're going to see next year because the lessons they learned this year from their second-half collapse mixed with increased team chemistry will be enough to carry them all the way to the third seed in the East.

The two biggest questions for the Sixers heading into next season will be whether or not they can retain Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen because both players will be hitting the free-agent market this offseason.  If the Sixers fail to re-sign those players, they can at least use their three draft picks in the draft to help replace that talent and increase their bench depth.

There's no doubt that the Sixers will be a playoff team again next season.  If players like Andre Iguodala, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner can step their game up, they will finally be able to return to being one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and I expect that to happen next season.

Eastern Conference: No. 2 Chicago Bulls

2011-12 Record:  50-16

Projected 2012-13 Record:  53-29

It's going to be a big challenge for the Chicago Bulls to rebound from their disappointing end to this year, but once Derrick Rose returns from his torn ACL, the Bulls will do just that because they have one of the best coaches in the game at the helm in Tom Thibodeau.

The good news for the Bulls is that 90 percent of their roster is under contract for next season, which means that the Bulls' "bench-mob" will stay intact.  The Bulls' biggest offseason concern is trying to find a consistent shooting guard in the first-round of the draft.  If they can do that, they will be able to contend in the East next year. 

The main reason why the Bulls will fall from the top-spot in the East next year is because it will take some time for Rose to return to his MVP form, recovering from his postseason injury.  Once Rose returns to his MVP form of 2011, the Bulls will contend for the top spot in the East, but their biggest competition, the Miami Heat, will be too much to handle late in the season next year. 

Eastern Conference: No. 1 Miami Heat

2011-12 Record:  46-20

Projected 2012-13 Record: 61-21

The Miami Heat will be the most hated team in the entire NBA next season, especially if they win the 2012 NBA title.  They will also be the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs because they will be too dominant and explosive to stop on a consistent basis, no matter who they go up against.

Aside from the big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat have legitimate role players like Shane Battier, Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem who will help solidify the Heat's dominance next season.  If the Heat can manage to sign a free agent like Ray Allen, Chauncey Billups or even Jason Terry, they will quickly become the top contender in the entire league.

Even with the roster the Heat have now, they can be the top team in the East next year because the production between LeBron, Wade and Bosh will be enough to carry the Heat all the way to the top.  Being one of the most hated teams in the history of the NBA has to get old for the Heat, but it's certainly enough motivation to help them achieve their goal of dominating the NBA in the near future, which is what they'll start to do in 2012-13.