The NBA is back. 

With the league’s annual ‘Day’ 1 getting underway, all 30 teams have resumed their daily basketball activities. Starting from the Media Day to each of their training camps, players are slowly ramping up as they work to get back in game shape.

For some of these familiar faces, however, a new season awaits them as they’re looking for a fresh start in new environments and places. Let’s take a look at these players and their potential fits next to their new teams and teammates. 

Russell Westbrook rocks new threads with Denver 

Russell Westbrook starts a new season with the 2023 champions after his stint with the Clippers. Westbrook aims to bring the energy to a Nuggets squad losing another championship piece in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He slots in immediately as Denver’s backup PG with the loss of Reggie Jackson, and the team could also use him to play with the starters and let Jamal Murray slide into the 2 spot. Westbrook will also be teaming up with fellow triple-double savant Nikola Jokic and it will be interesting to see two high-IQ players together on the court.

New beginnings for @russwest44 😈#NBAMediaDay x @nuggets pic.twitter.com/Wew6JRNNXm

— NBA (@NBA) September 26, 2024

PG13 creates a big three with Embiid and Maxey

Perhaps the biggest signing in the offseason, George immediately slides in with the Sixers to form a big three with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. At 34 years old, PG probably has a good 3 years left in his prime, but he could be in a perfect situation with Embiid and Maxey at their absolute peaks. George is in a position where he’s not asked to shoulder much of the offensive load like he did most of the time in his career, and he can play to his strengths — a two-play wing player with some playmaking chops and be a secondary creator and scorer to Maxey and Embiid. George is also a very good three-point shooter on spot-up and catch-and-shoot attempts and should bode well for both Sixers superstars by spacing the floor for them. Overall an A+ signing by Sixers GM Daryl Morey, and now it all hinges on health as Philly tries to pull it up all together to finally make a Conference Finals in the Embiid era.

PG in Philly! #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/jmSInGKf5L

— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2024

A new Philadelphia trio... 🔥

Maxey.
Embiid.
George.@sixers x #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/wjlclZdnhx

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

CP3 in San Antonio as Wemby’s PG; Harrison Barnes being a veteran piece in a young Spurs team

Victor Wembanyama finally gets his premier PG in Chris Paul. After playing most of last year not having a legitimate table setter, Wemby, and the Spurs add one of the greatest to ever do it at the position. Even approaching 40 years old, Paul should have a lot left in his tank to try and develop as much as possible the young yet hungry Spurs. On the other hand, Barnes adds another veteran piece as San Antonio looks to improve and at least make the play-in this season.

WEMBY x CP3 🔥

BIG smiles in San Antonio at #NBAMediaDay 😇 pic.twitter.com/PbV71PCH0c

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

Wemby & CP3 enjoying #NBAMediaDay 🤩 pic.twitter.com/rSdwmMIx1m

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

Caruso, Hartenstein add more defensive toughness to an already elite OKC squad

Imagine having to add two role players that star in their role to a team that just finished atop the conference a season ago, all without losing someone significant from that core. That’s exactly what the Oklahoma City Thunder did by adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein into their fold. The move stamped their status even further atop the West with rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren getting better over the year and still having MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just starting his prime. Caruso adds yet another defensive bull on the perimeter that already features fellow All-Defensive player Lu Dort, while Hartenstein brings versatility in the frontcourt to possibly play together with Holmgren. The Thunder are poised yet again to make a deep playoff run and it all starts with their offseason acquisitions and their fit into the team. 

Alex Caruso very complimentary of his new backcourt mate, SGA! 🤞#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/Rdxt7r5dQu

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

Klay splashing and spacing the floor for Luka, Mavs

The other Splash brother brings his act to Dallas after spending his first 13 years with the franchise. Thompson immediately fills a need in Dallas to help space the floor and be a decoy for Luka Doncic as he makes plays on the court. At his age, Thompson won’t be asked too much like he did in Golden State and this could be a rejuvenation for his career as he finds a new environment with the Mavericks. 

No. 31 from the Dallas Mavericks... Klay Thompson 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/e4M8lNtvQL

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

Klay Thompson... NEW BEGINNINGS 🫵@dallasmavs x #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/YX9CX1preR

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

DeMar DeRozan as the final piece to Sacramento’s playoff success

DeRozan comes into the Kings’ lair as one of the most clutch players in the league, and he will play alongside a player of the same caliber in DeAaron Fox. It will be interesting to see how DeRozan’s playstyle fits into the Kings’ offense with their motion offense built on three-point shooting with Domantas Sabonis as the hub, and it will be a good problem how coach Mike Brown integrates him to play a certain kind of way. The Kings are one of the up-and-coming teams in the West and adding a player like DeRozan gives them a different dimension to their offense. 

DeMar DeRozan looking good in his new threads 😎#NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/uPYTeKvUBE

— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2024

New trio in Sacramento 👑@SacramentoKings x #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/HfnZMmz317

— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2024

Dejounte Murray, Tyus Jones to solve PG issues in NOLA, PHX

Two teams that have had PG issues last season have finally addressed it by signing two of the quality PGs in the league today: Murray to the Pelicans and Jones to the Suns. Murray slots in as the Pelicans’ main shot creator, playmaker, and closer. This has been a significant hole for the Pelicans last season, especially in the playoffs when no one other than CJ McCollum (who’s getting old) and Brandon Ingram create shots and make plays. Murray immediately comes in and fills this gap and with a returning Zion Williamson, the Pelicans are coming into the season very optimistic about their playoff chances.

Fresh start heading into Year 8 🤲@DejounteMurray x #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/j3W5D0GFoM

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

New threads for @PelicansNBA new PG 🔥@DejounteMurray x #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/kgIxpGqxkG

— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024

Jones on the other hand also fills the immediate need of a PG, someone who can make plays for others without turning the ball over. Jones has been one of the best if not the best assist-to-turnover ratio guys in the league, and with how Phoenix’s roster is constructed, this allows their super scoring big three Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant to do their thing and focus on what they do best. Jones comes in to settle these guys down and put them in the best positions to succeed. 

Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson bring veteran savvy and immediate positional needs to Golden State

Some key veteran additions to the Warriors are Hield and Anderson as they continue to beef up their roster around superstar Stephen Curry. Hield will try to replace the production of Klay Thompson after his departure with his deadeye shooting and spacing the floor for Curry. Hield has also been a good off-ball mover and that should bode well for Golden State’s offense. Anderson meanwhile, brings his big forward, almost a center playing style to the Warriors and should fit instantly like a Draymond Green clone. Anderson has the playmaking chops and the basketball IQ to seamlessly play in Kerr’s system and is a player who seems to understand how to play with and off of the skillset of a player like Curry. 

Welcome to The Bay, Buddy! #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/ruEDkg7ayU

— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2024

Prince-Trent-Wright trio come to Milwaukee to win

Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright have all signed up for a little under than what they were supposed to make and signed with the Bucks for a chance to contribute to a championship contender. All three are exactly what the Bucks need in their scheme of things as they’re expected to bring shooting, spacing, and tough perimeter defenders. It’s expected that Milwaukee’s offense will revolve around superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard so there will be little expectations on these guys to do more and they can just focus on what they do best as role players in the league.