Fansided

30 biggest questions for the 2018-19 NBA season

By Hunter Kuffel

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors holds up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors holds up the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy during the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 12, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 29: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers reacts during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Seven of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

14. Who will be this season’s Victor Oladipo?

Oladipo took the league by storm last season, vaulting himself from flawed sidekick to All-NBA badass. The most likely scenario this season is that no one comes close to the type of improvement we saw from him last year. That said, there are a few candidates who could be set to defy our expectations and show us that they’re not done getting better.

Jabari Parker is an easy choice. Oladipo was the No. 2 pick in the 2013 draft, so let’s look at the same pick in the 2014 draft right? The similarities go further than just that, however. Parker will have plenty to prove after two ACL injuries have cost him serious time and a second contract with the Bucks. He won’t necessarily be the first option for Chicago, but Oladipo wasn’t supposed to be the undisputed first option in Indiana either.

Dante Exum has been plagued by injury since he came into the league, but entering into his fourth season, the former No. 5 pick will likely be the third guard in the Jazz rotation behind Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell. That is if he can stay healthy. If he can do that, Exum has a bright future as an uber-lengthy defender and herky-jerky playmaker. With healthy Exum and Mitchell as the backcourt of the future, the Jazz would be set for a while.

D’Angelo Russell is looking to make a splashy comeback of his own in Brooklyn where a strong organizational culture seems to be brewing. The only missing ingredient is star power, and Russell will have every chance to provide it if he can. The former Buckeye needs to improve his 3-point shooting both off the catch and off the dribble, but he’s made strides as a passer during each of his three seasons in the league. If he fails to make the leap into stardom, backcourt partner Caris Levert might just be ready to do it instead.