1) How well Thibs manages to allow Brunson to run the offense and shift the offensive focus away from Randle

2) If and how much Barrett will continue to improve on the offensive end

3) If the team manages to improve on team defensive schemes

4) Perhaps most importantly of all, if Thibs will actually let the young kids play and try to develop their talent for the team's long term success.

Given how completive the East is overall, a play-in slot is what I realistically expect.