NBA Power Rankings - The Top 10 Teams Heading Into the 20–21 Season
Reviewing Free Agency and previewing the 2021 NBA season
After a hectic and prolonged 2020 NBA Playoffs, the new season is just about a week away. Free agency was hasty and busy, with multiple players in the league switching teams in a musical chairs style couple of days. Before we reveal the best squads heading into the season, below is a recap of the most significant free agency moves to date, including the biggest signings, re-signings, trades and, extensions.
Extensions
- Kings G De'Aaron Fox, Celtics F Jayson Tatum, and Jazz G Donovan Mitchell all get max extensions of 5YRs/$163M all with the potential to earn $196M.
- F Paul George signs max extension with the L.A Clippers, 4YRs/$190M
- F Lebron James signs extension with the L.A Lakers, 2YRs/$85M
- C Bam Adebayo signs max extension with the Miami Heat, 5YRs/$163M
- F Brandon Ingram signs max extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, 5YRs/$158M
Trades
- OKC Thunder G Chris Paul and F Abdel Nader traded to the Phoenix Suns for F Kelly Oubre, G Ricky Rubio, G Ty Jerome, G Jalen Lecque, and a 2022 1st round pick from the Suns.
- OKC Thunder G Dennis Schroder traded to the L.A Lakers for G Danny Green (then traded to Philadelphia) and a 2020 1st round pick.
- OKC Thunder F Kelly Oubre traded to the Golden State Warriors for a 2021 1st round pick and a 2021 2nd round pick.
- Houston Rockets G Russell Westbrook traded to the Washington Wizards for G John Wall and 1st round pick.
- L.A Lakers C JaVale McGee and a future 2nd round pick traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for PF Jordan Bell and SF Alfonzo McKinnie.
Signings
- F Gordon Hayward signs with the Charlotte Hornets, 4YRs/$120M
- PF/C Anthony Davis resigns with the L.A Lakers, 5YRs/$190M
- C Marc Gasol sings with the L.A Lakers, 2YRs/$5.3M
- F Montrezl Harrell signs with the L.A Lakers, 2YRs/$19M
- G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope resigns with the L.A Lakers, 3YRs/$40M
- G Wesley Matthews signs with L.A Lakers, 1YR/$3.6M
- F Jae Crowder sings with the Phoenix Suns, 3YRs/$30M
- F Bojan Bogdanovic sings with the Atlanta Hawks, 4YRs/$72M
- F Danilo Gallinari signs with the Atlanta Hawks, 3YRs/$61M
- G Rajon Rondo sings with the Atlanta Hawks, 2YRs/$15M
- PF/C Serge Ibaka sings with the L.A Clippers, 2YRs/$19M
- G Fred Vanvleet resigns with the Toronto Raptors, 4YRs/$85M
- C Dwight Howard signs with the Philadelphia 76ers, 1YR/$2.56M
- G Goran Dragic resigns with the Miami Heat, 2YRs/$37.5M
- G Avery Bradley sings with the Miami Heat, 2YRs/ $11.6M
- G Joe Harris resigns with the Brooklyn Nets, 4YRs/$75M
- C Tristan Thompson sings with the Boston Celtics, 2YRs/$19M
Yes, this all happened this offseason.
So who cracks the top ten? In a season that is sure to be filled with lots of unknowns, here are the Top 10 NBA teams heading into the 2020–21 season.
Just Missed Out- Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors,
Utah will look to build on a strong playoff run in the Bubble, led by superstar Donovan Mitchell. However, they did not make it past the first round last year and have not made it past the conference semifinals since 2007. Unless Donovan Mitchell inserts himself in the MVP mix this year, I see an all too familiar early-round exit for Utah this year.
Toronto had a great season last year considering the circumstances. After winning the 2019 title as underdogs and then losing all-star Kawhi Leonard, expectations were not all that high. Nonetheless, Toronto took Boston to seven games in the conference semifinals but lacked the finishing touches that a player like Leonard provided the year before. Fred Vanvleet resigned, ensuring Kyle Lowry will keep his scoring compliment, but with two key losses in Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol and the added headache of playing in Tampa Bay, FL to start the year, they don't quite crack the Top 10.
10. Dallas Mavericks
19–20 Record: 43–32 (7th in West)
Dallas picked up G/F Josh Richardson to replace Seth Curry, who left in free agency. Richardson will bring solid two-way play to Dallas, who struggled at times defensively last year. With Kristaps Porzingis healthy and Luka Doncic an MVP candidate, the Mavericks will look to make a deep run in the star-studded Western Conference.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
19–20 Record: 43–40 (6th in East)
Much has changed since the Sixers were swept by the Celtics in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Former Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey took over the franchise and respected head coach Doc Rivers was hired. Morey added Seth Curry and Danny Green to complement Ben Simmons on the perimeter. Dwight Howard will play alongside Joel Embiid down low. Morey replaced Al Horford with three point shooters, seemingly trying the same approach he did in Houston.
8. Portland Trail Blazers
19–20 Record: 35–39 (9th in West)
The Blazers had a strong free agency, adding F Robert Covington Jr., F Derrick Jones Jr., F/C Harry Giles, and C Enes Kanter while only losing F Trevor Ariza. The Blazers made their exceptional “Bubble” run last year without Ariza who opted out of the restart. Their trip to the playoffs was fueled by historic shooting from Dame and a steady supply of offense by Carmelo Anthony. With Dame and C.J McCollum returning once again as one of the best backcourts in the league, and with improved perimeter defense, the Blazers are suited to make another run in the West.
7. Boston Celtics
19–20 Record: 48–24 (3rd in East)
While the Celtics lost a steady scorer in Gordon Hayward, they also lost his absurd contract. Boston signed F/C Tristan Thompson and underrated G Jeff Teague. After Jayson Tatum signed a max extension, all eyes will be on him to carry the offensive load, with Jaylen Brown complementing. However, for Boston to be a true contender, G Kemba Walker will need to be a reliable third option, something that may difficult if his knee problems continue.
6. Denver Nuggets
19–20 Record: 46–27 (3rd in West)
Denver will look to build on a successful playoff run that ended in the conference finals. Not suited to pay the 6'8 forward, Jerami Grant departed the Mile High city for Detroit. Denver, led by the talented duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic has high expectations for 2021. Nuggets fans will also be excited about F Michael Porter Jr., who played his best professional basketball in the Bubble. Expect Denver to contend for a place in the 2021 NBA Finals.
5. Miami Heat
19–20 Record: 44–29 (5th in East)
While Miami fell short of completing their Cinderella story and winning their 4th NBA title, they certainly surpassed any expectations. They signed defensive stud Avery Bradley to compliment an already sound defensive lineup led by G Jimmy Butler and C Bam Adebayo, who signed a max extension this offseason. G Tyler Herro will be a key offensive piece again this season after an impressive showing in the Bubble. However, don’t be too bullish on the Heat as it will be hard for them to replicate such success in a rejuvenated and improved Eastern Conference.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
19–20 Record: 56–17 (1st in East)
Oh, Milwaukee. It seems as if every year we find ourselves back in the same spot- The Bucks steamroll through the regular season and then get prematurely bounced in the playoffs. Anyhow, coming into the season, the Bucks are no doubt one of the best clubs. Fans will be anxious to see how the team performs throughout the year after a failed trade attempt for F Bogdan Bogdanovic and no word on a contract extension for reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. No matter the regular season success in 2021, all eyes will be on Milwaukee come playoff time as the Bucks try to desperately shake their poor playoff form in hopes of convincing the Greek Freak to stay put.
3. Brooklyn Nets
19–20 Record: 35–37 (7th in East)
Yes, I have the Nets at 3. Brooklyn will have everyone’s attention as arguably the best player in the league, Kevin Durant makes his return to the hardwood after 18 months. It will also be the first time we see KD and Kyrie Irving playing together. The Steve Nash hire also adds another interesting dynamic to a team that will compete in thirteen nationally televised games, the third-most in the league. Everything looks good on paper but only time will tell how well the new-look Nets will work. When you have KD and Kyrie, complimented by a defensive anchor like Deandre Jordan, it can’t be that bad right? Nets come in at №3 heading into the season.
2. L.A Clippers
19–20 Record: 49–23 (2nd in West)
After a disastrous blown 3–1 lead to the Denver Nuggets in the WCF, it seems as if the Clippers are poised for another go. After extending Paul George, the Clips will be eager to make a deep playoff run in hopes of getting Kawhi Leonard on board long term. L.A added Serge Ibaka in replace of Montrezl Harrell in an effort to remain one of the deepest rosters in the league. New coach Tyronn Lue will look to sort out any remaining locker room and chemistry issues from the previous year. In theory, the Clippers should be in as good a position as any to win the title.
1. L.A Lakers
19–20 Record: 52–19 (1st in West), 2020 NBA Champions
The Lakers have finally regained their glory after Lebron James and Anthony Davis led the purple and gold to their 17th NBA title, tying the Boston Celtics for most in league history. After the offseason the Lakers had, there is no reason they are not primed for another title run. They resigned AD to a max deal and added key pieces around the floor including C Marc Gasol, F Wesley Matthews, and both the sixth man of the year, F Montrezl Harrell and the runner-up, G Dennis Schroder. With a more talented and younger team around Lebron, the L.A Lakers head into the new season the best in the NBA.
