As the 2021-22 NBA season wraps up, the league is gearing up for an exciting offseason that which we'll see some teams turn into contenders and some contenders lose their star players. The NBA never had the same playoff teams the year prior, so they will undoubtedly be new teams that make the postseason next year, and with the play-in tournament, there is more opportunity to see new teams in.

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Will LeBron make it back to the playoffs with the Lakers? Who will be the new Memphis Grizzlies? These are the 16 teams predicted to make the 2023 NBA playoffs.

16 Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the biggest surprise teams in the NBA this season. The Cavs were in and around the top four of the Eastern Conference for much of the season, before injuries drop them down to the play-in tournament. The Cavs were beaten by the Brooklyn Nets and then the Atlanta Hawks to just miss out on the playoffs. However, a young squad with another year under their belt, and another lottery pick to add to their already youthful team, Cleveland is a prime candidate to take another leap and make the playoffs in 2023.

15 Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves were another shocking team in the NBA this year to make the playoffs. The Timberwolves have been a bottom feeder franchise for years, but the combination of center Karl-Anthony Towns, guard/forward Anthony Edwards, and guard D'Angelo Russell, has turned the Timberwolves into a playoff team. They may have been bounced out in the first round, but they played an incredible series against the Memphis Grizzlies, taking them to six games.

14 Charlotte Hornets

There are without a doubt going to be new teams in the playoffs next year. One of the top contenders for new teams to make the playoffs is the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets made the play-in tournament before getting destroyed by the Atlanta Hawks. However, Charlotte has a clear need, which is a reliable starting center, and if they are able to fix that need in the offseason, the Hornets could be a problem in the Eastern Conference.

13 Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets should be much better next season. They will have the back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokić still in his prime, seemingly getting better as the years go by. However, the difference this year was that the Denver Nuggets faced many injuries, most notably to guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr.

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The Nuggets will now have their three-headed monster back for next season. If they can stay healthy, and possibly add some more great role players that can give them valuable minutes off the bench, the Nuggets could be one of the top seeds in the West.

12 Miami Heat

The biggest thing the Heat have to their advantage is the amount of depth on their team. The Heat are able to play with 11 quality players, tiring teams out while still having their stars like Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo put up star level numbers. It would be one of the biggest shocks if the Heat were not a playoff team next season.

11 Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers may have missed out on the playoffs, but that was largely due to their number one star Kawhi Leonard missing the entire season with an ACL injury that he sustained last year. Paul George was able to make a comeback and take the Clippers to the play-in tournament, but they did not have the star power to be able to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves or the New Orleans Pelicans.

10 Boston Celtics

First-year head coach Ime Udoka has changed the style of play of the Boston Celtics for the better, creating one of the most frustrating teams to go up against. NBA fans are seeing star forward Jayson Tatum take his game to the next level, solidifying himself in the top 10 conversations and scratching at a top five best player in the league conversation.

9 Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have gotten so far, but have been unable to grab the NBA Championship. The Suns will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch this offseason as there will be questions if they resign center, Deandre Ayton, or let him walk in an attempt to build the number one seed team without him, while still maintaining their star backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

8 Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls were expected to make a small step with the new acquisitions of guard Lonzo Ball and forward DeMar DeRozan. However, the Chicago Bulls were one of the best teams in the first half of the NBA, before ultimately going down to a respectable six seed in the NBA playoffs.

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The Bulls now have to worry about resigning guard Zach LaVine, but if they can't reach a deal, DeRozan has proven that he can lead this team to the playoffs.

7 Dallas Mavericks

The 2022 playoffs have proven that the Dallas Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the league. If Doncic can come out early into next season and play this way, he is a prime candidate for next year's MVP. Dallas will likely be another buyer this offseason, hoping to improve this team.

6 Milwaukee Bucks

When the team has Giannis Antetokounmpo, playoffs are nearly guaranteed. Despite not winning the NBA MVP the last two seasons, Antetokounmpo is arguably the NBA's best player, and put forth a valiant effort in the 2022 playoffs.

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However, for next season, playoffs should be a guarantee in the minds of their fans. The current defending NBA Champions will be playing with a chip on their shoulder, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the league.

5 Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were the biggest surprise team in all the NBA this season, as they went from a young and bright team, all the way to the second seed. That was largely due to their guard Ja Morant going from a young promising prospect to one of the best guards in the NBA. The Grizzlies have created a team that is well-rounded. There is something exciting being built in Memphis, and they will surely be a playoff team for years to come.

4 Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers were the talk of last year's offseason, as every outlet was speculating where Ben Simmons be traded to. Eventually, Simmons was traded before the deadline, entering in James Harden for the 76ers. Although Harden has done fine, he certainly isn't the player that he was in Houston. Philadelphia's president Daryl Morey once again has the task of attempting to lure a star player to the team that they are building around back-to-back MVP runner-up, and scoring leader, Joel Embiid.

3 Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are creating a dynasty that we have not seen since the Chicago Bulls. The Warriors have already won three NBA Championships in the last seven years.

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So long as the Warriors are healthy, they could come into next season as the odds on favorite to not just make the playoffs, but win the NBA Championship once again. When it comes to the Warriors, never count out a finals appearance.

2 Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets were the weirdest team in the NBA this season. Due to the COVID restrictions in New York, star guard Kyrie Irving couldn't play in any home games for the regular season. With Kevin Durant also missing games, much of the early season relied on James Harden. However, due to Harden's frustration with the team, he was treated for Ben Simmons, who did not play at all this season. Now with a team that seemingly has better chemistry, and will hopefully be as healthy as possible, they should be considered a championship contender.

1 Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James has not missed the playoffs in back-to-back years since his rookie and sophomore seasons in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers have a ton of issues, with one being the massive contract that they have for Russell Westbrook.

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However, if the Lakers can entice teams to take on the large salaries that they have by gifting them picks in exchange, they might be able to dig themselves out of the hole that they have created. Any team that has LeBron James and Anthony Davis should be a playoff team no matter what, and next year, they will be.