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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer
The playoffs are about legacy. They can be about money, earned and lost. They can be about jobs, lost and saved.
The postseason is the most important time of the year, and it tips off in less than a month.
Here is a look at the players who have the most to gain or perhaps lose this postseason.
What's on the line: Tatum is headed toward breaking teammate Jaylen Brown's current $288 million record contract and becoming the NBA's first $300 million player when he signs his supermax from the Celtics this summer. He has earned that status and the money, but living with that contract attached to his name will be different depending on how these playoffs unfold for Tatum. In the past two seasons, Tatum went out with a whimper, albeit battling minor injuries.
What's on the line: Jokic has nothing to prove but he has more to win and is on the verge of joining the all-time greats. He is the favorite to win his third MVP. If he's able to back up last season's dominant playoff showing with another, it's downright historic. Players with three MVPs and two Finals MVPs: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (the Finals MVP didn't start until 1969, but Bill Russell certainly would be another name on this list otherwise). Jokic can join that unimpeachable group this season.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
What's on the line: Williamson has never played in a playoff game. In the biggest game of his career to this point, the NBA in-season tournament semifinals in December, he and his team were a total flop versus the Los Angeles Lakers. He's been praised for his improved conditioning, ability to stay healthy and impact as a scorer and a playmaker. But this postseason is the biggest opportunity he has had to alter the league's view of him and reset the course of his career.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
What's on the line: Embiid might've won his second straight MVP this season had he not needed knee surgery, which he hopes to return from in time for the playoffs. But his postseasons have been marred by injury and the inability to deliver in the most clutch moments. Last year, he was playing through a knee issue, but the Sixers just needed a few plays from him to reach what has proven to be an elusive conference finals appearance. As has been the case before, he just couldn't summon them. His 27-26 playoff record is a blemish on his career.
What's on the line: Playoff Jimmy is a real thing, regardless of his denials. Those incredible springs have gotten the Heat to forget the sometimes frustrating winters with Butler's injury issues and occasional spats with coaches and teammates. Butler, 34, is eligible for an extension this summer. With two years (the second is a player option) and $100 million left on his deal, it's not clear whether the Heat will be ready to commit again. But Butler, especially if he leads yet another Heat playoff run, has another chance to make himself indispensable.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
What's on the line: SGA is headed for his second consecutive All-NBA first team, which will assure a supermax offer from OKC down the line, and a high finish in MVP voting. But he hasn't played in the postseason since back-to-back trips with the Clippers and Thunder in 2019 and 2020 and he has never won a series. To truly be considered among the handful of best players in the league and perhaps to set the stage for a future MVP breakthrough, Gilgeous-Alexander needs to show off in the playoffs.
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics
What's on the line: Porzingis has had an excellent season: He has been highly efficient on offense and is having his best defensive season by far. He has already signed a $60 million extension in Boston, but his career has been beset with disappointment and missed opportunities, which has negatively affected his reputation and lowered his value. A strong and healthy postseason could alter the direction of his career.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
What's on the line: Mobley's third season, expected to be a launching pad, has been derailed by a series of injuries. When he has been healthy, he's been great on defense as usual. However, he has not shown the type of offensive development that was expected. He's eligible for an extension on July 1, and after a less-than-impressive playoff showing last year, he needs an impactful postseason as the Cavs consider whether to offer the max contract for which Mobley once appeared to be a lock.
What's on the line: Beal exercised his no-trade clause to handpick the Suns last summer, forcing his way in a deal expected to create a superteam. But Beal's season has, once again, been marred with injury and inconsistency. He has made one All-Star team in the past five years. He hasn't won a playoff series since 2017. The loaded Suns are fighting to avoid a play-in bid. There are other factors involved in all that underachievement, of course, but it's unfortunately been defining this stretch of his career. The playoffs will decide what sort of year this has been for the Suns and Beal.
What's on the line: Durant is a two-time Finals MVP, a two-time champion, a regular-season MVP, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and one of the greatest Olympians in USA Basketball history. He also forced his way to the Suns last season and was a factor in getting Beal to join him and Devin Booker. Evaluating Durant's career is nuanced and complex; his greatness has been mixed with his lack of team success since leaving Golden State. Winning again would mean so much for him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
What's on the line: The Bucks took a couple big gambles after a 58-win team was ousted in the first round last year in the wake of a Giannis injury. They fired coach Mike Budenholzer and replaced him with first-year coach Adrian Griffin (Doc Rivers replaced Griffin midseason) and traded championship guard Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard. Milwaukee did this, at least in part, to appeal to Antetokounmpo, who reversed his previous stance and signed a three-year extension after the moves. Antetokounmpo would like to win another title, but a run this year is needed to back up those high-stakes risks.
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
What's on the line: When Lillard asked for a trade out of Portland last summer, it was to join a team that could compete for the title right away. Milwaukee might not have been his first choice, but it absolutely fit the bill. The Bucks are designed to compete right now, and Lillard, famous for clutch postseason play, will face the highest expectations of his 12-year career.
What's on the line: Banchero's career is off to an excellent start, winning Rookie of the Year and making the All-Star team in his second season. The Magic have made the playoffs just twice in the past 12 seasons and haven't won a playoff series since Dwight Howard was traded in 2011, but Orlando has fought its way into position to possibly get home court for the first round. Banchero having a big first postseason could set the stage for the Magic going forward.
What's on the line: Dallas' collapse last season required a makeover. They made a huge investment in Kyrie Irving, controversially tanked to keep their top-10 protected draft pick to get center Dereck Lively II, then mortgaged the future at midseason to add key role players P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. All of it to support Doncic and prove the 2022 run to the conference finals wasn't a one-off. Doncic needs to make it all work with a true superstar turn in the postseason -- and keep his emotions under control. Doncic leads the league this season with 14 technical fouls.
What's on the line: George is in position to make his seventh All-NBA team behind a strong and healthy year. Despite a wonderful 14-year career, George has never made the Finals and has had scant playoff success with the Clippers. He's also in a position to be a free agent, and he and the Clippers have been unable to come to terms on an extension after months of talks. The Clippers are no doubt holding the line as they did before inking an extension with Kawhi Leonard to a three-year extension, getting him to take a mild pay cut. George can reframe the entire Clippers offseason if he's able to finally elevate them in the playoffs.
What's on the line: Leonard has two NBA titles, two Finals MVPs and a recently signed $152 million extension. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He also has a single playoff series victory since he came to the Clippers, and the organization has structured nearly everything around him. His past five years have been a complete letdown, often -- but not always -- due to injuries. There's a lot left on the table for him and his franchise.
What's on the line: Harden is no longer the best player on his team and hasn't been for years. His playoff track record is scattered with underachievement, but he can still be a difference-maker at 34 years old, and that is the central tenet of his case for a huge new contract with the Clippers this summer. The 76ers didn't believe he could be that player, and it showed in their negotiations last year. Harden's performance this spring will likely affect how the Clippers handle talks this offseason.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
What's on the line: There have been a thousand "new face of the league" discussions launched this season as Edwards has, for now, replaced Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant in this conversation. The Wolves have their best team in 20 years and Edwards is their best player since Kevin Garnett. He has to back it all up with a strong showing in the playoffs to continue on this rocket ship of momentum.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
What's on the line: Towns is recovering from a torn meniscus and it's unclear when he'll return. The Wolves are facing an exploding payroll, the biggest luxury taxes in team history and a new ownership group with no track record on spending. Towns has made it a priority to be a team player and support young star Edwards' growth, but it's unclear whether the Wolves can afford to keep him. Towns has not always played his best in the playoffs, raising the stakes for everything this spring.
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
What's on the line: Harris' numbers (17.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game on 48.6% shooting) has masked an otherwise disappointing season, particularly since Embiid's knee injury (woeful 28.9% on 3-pointers and just 15.9 points per game). With the 76ers mulling how they can use their cap space to chase a star player, Harris and the team could be headed for a split this summer. Putting together a strong playoff run by hitting a few shots with Embiid hopefully back could go a long way for the 31-year-old, even if he ends up elsewhere.
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