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#3 LA Lakers
The LA Lakers arguably made the most noise among all the NBA sides in the 2021 offseason. After clearing house with most of the players from last season, the Lakers have a brand new identity and are served by completely new veteran faces.
After acquiring Russell Westbrook in a trade with the Washington Wizards, the Lakers' odds at winning the championship rose, placing them as the second favorites to win it all. The franchise also went on to make other key additions to their overall roster.
With a trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, the team looks to be an offensive menace. Paired with the signing of familiar faces such as Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard, their new squad seems to have the same chemistry that led them to the championship in 2020.
The potential LA Lakers starting five is extremely versatile. With so many veterans in place, it's hard to really discern who will start. However, a likely starting five will be:
PG - Russell Westbrook | SG - Talen Horton-Tucker | SF - LeBron James | PF - Anthony Davis | C - Dwight Howard/DeAndre Jordan.
The Lakers' squad depth means there is still a lot of room for adjustment within the starting five. Kendrick Nunn and Wayne Ellington could easily start in the guard spot while Carmelo Anthony could start at 4, pushing Davis to the 5. The kind of quality in the squad can create some matchup nightmares.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks came off a great 2020-21 season. They became NBA Champions and their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was named Finals MVP. Post a largely successful campaign, the Bucks will now look to repeat their postseason success going into the 2021-22 season.
The Bucks have a great roster going into the season. Donte DiVincenzo, who missed most of the playoffs due to injury, is expected to return. They also re-signed Bobby Portis, who played such a key role in the playoffs. Additionally, the Bucks also made some other interesting changes to their squad.
The Milwaukee Bucks will have a potential starting five of:
PG - Jrue Holiday | SG - Donte DiVincenzo | SF - Khris Middleton | PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo | C - Brook Lopez.
Although the Bucks saw the departure of PJ Tucker, DiVincenzo's return to the lineup will be great for their overall offensive integrity and floor spacing. Coming off of a fresh championship run, the Bucks have all the momentum on their side going into the 2021-22 season.
#1 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets will enter the 2021-22 season with the best odds of winning the NBA title. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as recurring injuries to players among other off-court drama, the Nets were largely unable to scale the peaks they are capable of last season.
Served by a trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, the Brooklyn Nets are an offensive clinic night in and night out. With some great moves in the 2021 offseason, the Nets look set to make another title run in the 2021-22 season.
The Brooklyn Nets' starting five for the 2021-22 season is likely to be:
PG - Kyrie Irving | SG - James Harden | SF - Joe Harris | PF - Kevin Durant | C - LaMarcus Aldridge.
Although Nicolas Claxton has shown great promise at the center spot, Aldridge's availability could see Claxton come off the bench. There is also a possibility Durant may switch to 3 and allow Blake Griffin to play 4 or 5 depending upon matchups.
The Nets lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. Kevin Durant carried the team to Game Seven, but came up short because of his toe being on the three-point line. This sent the game to overtime instead of ending in a Nets win.
Regardless of that minor mistake, we can expect the Nets to come out firing in the 2021-22 NBA season.
Guess the Lakers players!
