97.1 The Ticket -- This summer's NBA free agency period has been nothing if not one of the most excited offseasons in league history. Full of marquee signings, blockbuster trades and massive contracts, the league has taken shape for what it will look like in the 2019-20 season.
For the first time in a long time, there doesn't appear to be a clear favorite, and that's reflected in the projected win totals
released by Caesars Sportsbook on Thursday. There are seven teams projected to win more than 50 games, with five Western Conference teams within four games of each other.
The Bucks are projected to win a league-best 57 games, while the Clippers are best in the west at 55 1/2 games. The 76ers (54.5) are second in the East, while the Rockets, Jazz and Nuggets were all pegged for 52 games and the Lakers were right behind at 51 1/2.
While the Pistons were hindered by a tight salary cap from making any marquee moves, the 19-20 roster will feature some new veteran faces in Derrick Rose, Markieff Morris, Tony Snell and Tim Frazier. The odds makers in Vegas, whether a product of parity in the league or a true knock on Detroit's talent, don't see the Pistons as a playoff team.
Caesars set the win total for the Pistons at 37 1/2 next season, which ranks 9th in the East, behind the Magic (40 1/2) for the final playoff spot.
The top 8 teams' win totals in each NBA conference, according to Caesars Sportsbook ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/dFsEWg4IMc
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July 25, 2019 The Pistons snuck into the playoffs with a 41-41 record last season before being swept by the Bucks in the first round.
Caesars has the Cavaliers and Hornets pegged tied for last in the league at 24 projected wins, while the Grizzlies (25 1/2) were picked last in the West.
