Instead, the realities of a pandemic intervened. In an ideal world, we'd be talking about how second-year coach Steve Nash rebuilds a rotation with newcomers in the backcourt and in the frontcourt, where LaMarcus Aldridge returns after a brief retirement and former All-Star Paul Millsap and defensive specialist James Johnson replace departed stalwart Jeff Green. Pivot point for 2021-22: Will Kyrie play? Giannis Antetokounmpo says all he cares about is getting better heading into the next season with the Bucks. Giannis: 'I don't care about trophies, I don't care about MVPs' Carter's playmaking has been a limitation, but the Nets have plenty of that and will ask him to focus on two of his strengths: pressuring opposing ball handlers and knocking down open 3-pointers.
Having Mills looks more important now that Brooklyn will be without Kyrie Irving indefinitely because of New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, pushing Mills into a bigger role than initially expected.Īcquired as part of the Nets' draft-day trade sending Landry Shamet to the Phoenix Suns, the fourth-year guard could find more opportunity in Brooklyn after falling out of Phoenix's rotation in the playoffs.
Not only is Mills one of the NBA's most respected veteran teammates after winning a title in San Antonio, he remains a useful source of shooting and scoring off the bench. Most impactful offseason move: Signing Patty MillsĪdding the longtime San Antonio Spurs guard could prove crucial on multiple fronts. the eventual champion Bucks into a Nets loss in overtime. Kevin Durant's foot was on the line, turning what looked like a series-winning 3-pointer in Game 7 vs. Title odds and over/under wins totals were provided by Caesars Sportsbook. Note: ESPN's NBA Power Rankings are based on which teams our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Kevin Pelton and Ohm Youngmisuk) thinks belong higher heading into the 2021-22 season. What will 2021-22 bring? Our experts are breaking down the stars and storylines you need to know.
The Utah Jazz and the reigning conference champion Suns, owners of the two best records in the league last season, are running it back with their cores intact, while contenders such as the LA Clippers ( Kawhi Leonard) and Denver Nuggets ( Jamal Murray) are without key stars for the majority of the season.Īnd Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks and Damian Lillard's Portland Trail Blazers are always ready to make some noise in the West. After a disappointing seventh-place finish and first-round postseason exit, are the Lakers destined to return to glory this season? The rest of the West - the conference is as stacked as ever - sure hopes not. This summer, LeBron James and Anthony Davis welcomed in Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony and welcomed back Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard. Speaking of moves, the Los Angeles Lakers made a few.
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After somehow squeezing in the NBA draft, free agency, summer league and preseason into another truncated offseason, the league is ready to roll for 2021-22.Īre the Bucks on the road to a repeat, or will the star-studded Brooklyn Nets exact revenge? How will the Ben Simmons saga end for the Philadelphia 76ers? Are the reloaded Miami Heat Finals contenders again?Ĭan the Atlanta Hawks make another magical run? Was the Chicago Bulls' flurry of offseason moves worth it? Less than three months ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks were hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game 6 of the NBA Finals over the Phoenix Suns.