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The 2021 NBA offseason always has its' fair share of shakeups around the league. The 2021 offseason was no exception.
This offseason had blockbuster trades, great free agent signings, and soap opera-type stories from teams around the league. Many wonder how these moves from teams will shape who is crowned the 2022 NBA Champion.
With the 2021-2022 NBA season just around the corner, these are 5 questions that JP Sports has about the upcoming season.
1. How will the Lakers fare?
The Lakers had a busy offseason, adding many seasoned veterans such as Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, along with other great bench pieces such as Wayne Ellington, Kendrick Nunn, and Malik Monk. To put the cherry on top, they even added superstar PG Russell Westbrook through trade. Almost a complete revamp of the whole team.
The question is raised about LeBron's age. LeBron will be 37 in December and so far has shown no real signs of a real decline yet. LeBron may take a backseat this year in scoring due to the addition of Westbrook and the comeback of Anthony Davis, but still expect him to be productive for the Lakers.
Anthony Davis staying healthy will also be a huge factor in the Lakers' success this season. Last season, Davis only played in 36 games but did return in time for the playoffs. It was clear that Davis was not himself in the playoffs last year, averaging only 17/6/2. Not very high numbers for Anthony Davis' standard.
The only thing standing in the way of them being in the Finals this year is health. If that is not an issue for them this season, then the Lakers are definitely once again one of the top NBA Finals contenders this season.
2. What Will the Sixers Look Like Without Ben simmons?
The Ben Simmons and the Sixers soap opera is still ongoing, with Simmons reportedly demanding a trade and will not show up to Sixers training camp. With this information known, fans have been wondering what a Simmons-less Sixers team will look like on the court.
The starting lineup for the Sixers could go like this:
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: Seth Curry
SF: Danny Green
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Joel Embiid
Embiid has said recently that the Sixers could run more pick and rolls. A play that has been near absent from the Sixers' offense in recent years. Embiid can be very versatile on the pick and roll. He can stop on a dime and hit a mid-range jump shot, or he go straight to the hoop to punch one in.
Embiid will certainly get his points this season. The subtraction of Ben Simmons could also mean a bigger scoring opportunity for Tyrese Maxey. Maxey will likely see an increase in his playing time and could be a starter this season. This increased playing time will lead to more shots and increased scoring.
The Sixers as a whole will still be a top 5 seed in the Easter Conference.
3. Will the Suns Make Another Deep Playoff Run?
It is fair to classify the 2020-2021 Phoenix Suns as a surprise team.
With Chris Paul returning to the Suns on a 4-year/$120 million contract, the Suns will look to run it back in the 2021-2022 season. Other than that, the Suns did not have that loud of an offseason, adding big man depth in JaVale McGee and adding depth at the guard position with the additions of Landry Shamet and Elfrid Payton.
Devin Booker will likely continue on as one of the game's best scorers this season along with Deandre Ayton being a constant double-double big man.
The Suns core of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Chris Paul will look to replicate their run to the Finals last season but this time with them hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy.
4. Will the Bucks defend their title?
The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off of a season that led to them becoming the 2020-2021 NBA Champions.
The Bucks title defense begins in the offseason, and they started it off by resigning Bobby Portis for cheap. Portis was instrumental to the Bucks' championship run, providing energy and hustle off the bench. The Bucks also added some more bench depth in Grayson Allen, Rodney Hood, and George Hill.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton will continue to perform at a high level, with Giannis putting up MVP-like numbers once again. If those two perform at high levels, then the rest takes care of itself. You can count on the Bucks to once again be top 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
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