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The start of the NBA 2020-21 season is around the corner, and there will be many interesting stories to follow. For starters, the worst team from last season could be a contender in the upcoming NBA campaign.
5 lottery teams that can make the playoffs in the NBA 2020-21 season
Stories for the NBA 2020-21 season are all over the place. NBA Free Agency saw lots of moves among the best and worst teams in the league. After all these roster changes, the picture could be very different in the NBA 2020-21 season for many squads.
Among teams in the Top 5 of the NBA Draft 2020, a couple could make the playoffs in the NBA 2020-21 campaign.
On that note, let us take a look at five teams in last year's draft lottery that can make the postseason in the NBA 2020-21 season.
#5 New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans were close to entering the playoffs last year. The team had a 30-42 record with their young core, but Zion Williamson only played 24 games.
Even with Williamson, the Pelicans went 11-13 against the stacked Western Conference.
As one of the 14 teams who did not make the playoffs, they entered the NBA Draft lottery and got the 13th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Last season, New Orleans' young players were adjusting to a new environment. Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart had arrived from LA in the blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Zion missed the start of the season due to a knee injury. He made his highly-anticipated NBA debut on January 22.
For the NBA 2020-21 season, they have a new coach in Stan Van Gundy and a more established group of players. Ingram made the All-Star game last year, and Zion could make it two All-Star players for New Orleans in the NBA 2020-21 season.
Steven Adams is now also a member of the Pelicans, and his experience should be great for the team.
With the right mix between a veteran coach and their young core, the Pelicans could make some noise in the NBA 2020-21 campaign.
#4 Washington Wizards
The East is the only reason why the Washington Wizards might have more chances to enter the postseason in the NBA 2020-21 season than the Pelicans.
Still, Washington could be hit or miss.
The Wizards' had a slightly busy offseason. Talks of Bradley Beal and John Wall being unable to play together were a daily topic surrounding the Wizards. Moreover, signing premier shooter Davis Bertans in NBA Free Agency 2020 was a big need, and they succeeded.
Eventually, they traded John Wall and a first-round pick to the Houston Rockets. In exchange, former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook will play at Washington.
Westbrook has arrived in Washington with renewed energy and is already providing his intensity in training camp. He will be reunited with his first NBA coach, Scott Brooks.
With Westbrook leading the show and many excellent shooters around him, Washington's offense could be elite.
They are likely to improve their 25-47 record from last year and enter the postseason of the NBA 2020-21 campaign.
#3 Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks made lots of noise during NBA Free Agency 2020, and a playoff spot in the NBA 2020-21 season seems likely.
The team's front office managed to put together a squad with talent and experience. The Hawks were one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference last year, but they have surrounded All-Star Trae Young with good pieces for the NBA 2020-21 season.
Rajon Rondo signed a two-year, $15-million deal to play for the Hawks. Rondo had amazing performances in the 2020 NBA Playoffs for the champions LA Lakers and is a veteran who could guide the team.
Moreover, one of the most desired shooters in free agency, Bogdan Bogdanovic, signed a four-year, $72-million deal with Atlanta. Bogdanovic averaged 15 points per game last year and made 37% of his three-pointers.
The team also signed Kris Dunn, who is a good defensive guard. In addition, Danilo Gallinari signed a three-year deal worth more than $61 million to play in Atlanta.
The new signings, alongside Young and John Collins, should help the Hawks to make the postseason in the NBA 2020-21 campaign.
#2 Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns made lots of noise in the NBA Bubble at Orlando. The team went 8-0 to close their year and had some impressive wins.
With Devin Booker on their roster, they have an established best player. However, management made a big move to ensure they have a nice mix of veteran and young leadership.
The Suns traded for nine-time All-NBA player Chris Paul.
CP3 had an extraordinary season with the OKC Thunder, helping the team make the NBA Playoffs. Paul guided the Thunder to a 44-28 record and the West's fifth seed last year.
For the Suns, CP3 can do something similar in the NBA 2020-21 season. He was surrounded by young talent at OKC, and he made the best of it.
Alongside a scorer like Booker, a playmaker like Paul might have exactly what he needs.
If Booker and Paul manage to play well together, they have a good shot in the NBA 2020-21 season. Deandre Ayton should also be a big factor in just his third year in the league.
Ayton averages 17 points and 11 rebounds through his first 109 NBA games. In the NBA 2020-21 season, he should continue his progress and establish himself in the league.
Moreover, Dario Saric and Jae Crowder can take advantage of having CP3 running their offense.
#1 Golden State Warriors
This is a slam dunk.
The Golden State Warriors were one of the worst teams in the NBA last season. They got the second pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but their NBA 2020-21 season looks different than others.
The Warriors were plagued by injuries last season. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson missed almost the entire season (Curry played in five games), and the team struggled.
However, before Thompson's recent Achilles tear, the Warriors were candidates to fight against the LA Lakers in the NBA 2020-21 season. Thompson's injury should change that.
Having said that, the Warriors remain a team with playoff hopes for the NBA 2020-21 campaign.
Curry will be back with renewed energy, and it should be the same case for Draymond Green.
Andrew Wiggins looks fresh and needs a solid year. Meanwhile, their second pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, James Wiseman, will be interesting to watch under coach Steve Kerr's guidance.
The Warriors might be a Top-6 seed in the NBA 2020-21 season. A healthy Curry, a renewed Draymond Green, and Wiseman establishing himself as a solid big man in the league should be enough. Still, the West is loaded, but the Warriors have known that for many years.
Title hopes might not be realistic for the Warriors, but they should transition from one of the worst teams last year to a solid team in 2020-21.
Also read: NBA 2020-21: 5 players who can challenge James Harden for the scoring title
