2019 NBA Season Preview

One of the most anticipated NBA seasons in recent memory begins Tuesday night at the home of the defending champions. The Toronto Raptors will add their first championship banner to the rafters of Scotiabank Arena with one notable subtraction. Kawhi Leonard became the first player to win Finals MVP and leave for another NBA team in that offseason.

Who is Projected for the Finals?

Leonard’s new team, the Los Angeles Clippers, are the betting favorite to win the 2019/20 NBA title at +350 according to the Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas. The Clippers not only won the Leonard sweepstakes in free agency but secured a trade for All-NBA forward Paul George from Oklahoma City.

The second most likely team to win the title is the Clippers’ Staples Center roommate. The Los Angeles Lakers made an offseason splash as well in a trade for superstar forward Anthony Davis.

The most likely Finals representative in the East is the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reigning league MVP and although they shipped out key starter Malcolm Brogdon, the Bucks stand at +600 to take their first title since 1971.

Who Are the Sleeper Teams to Watch?

This offseason also left several sleeper teams who, like Toronto last season, could topple a favorite. The Utah Jazz saw key upgrades to a team that won 50 games last year. The Utah front office let Ricky Rubio walk in free agency after a trade for talented point guard Mike Conley. The move will allow budding star Donovan Mitchell to play more off the ball and allow him to make the jump many expected to see, but did not, in his second year.

The Houston Rockets are another dark horse squad with potential. Rockets GM Daryl Morey engineered a trade for 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook and sent an aging Chris Paul to Oklahoma City. The move reunited Westbrook with another MVP James Harden.

Players Expected to Have Breakout Seasons

The Brooklyn Nets’ offseason was the envy of every other team in the Eastern Conference. General Manager Sean Marks secured the signatures of superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant as well as ex-Knicks center DeAndre Jordan. While many predict the Nets to be one year away due to Durant’s recovery from an Achilles tear, Irving is one to watch. The former Celtics point guard had a tumultuous season in Boston but says he learned about leadership in failure and joins a playoff team that won 42 games last year.

D’Angelo Russell broke out as the starting point guard for that Nets team but was moved in a sign-and-trade to Golden State for Durant. Russell was the number 2 overall pick in 2015’s draft for the Lakers but only found his groove last season in Brooklyn. The 23 year old will share a backcourt with two-time MVP Stephen Curry.

Durant’s exit and All-Pro shooting guard Klay Thompson’s ongoing recovery from an ACL tear suffered in the Finals have many predicting the Dub’s dynasty is over. Golden State has +1200 odds to win their fourth title since 2015 but players are relishing in their long odds. Forward Draymond Green said he “missed that [underdog] chip.”

Pelicans Reloaded with Youth Talent

A nascent dynasty could be forming in New Orleans. The Pelicans’ revamped front office parlayed number 1 overall pick Zion Williamson with a trade for the Lakers’ young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and multiple draft picks. The move saw superstar Davis leave for LA but the basketball future appears bright in the Big Easy.

Williamson is the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year Award despite a multi-week absence to start the season with a lingering knee issue. Former Duke teammate RJ Barrett is another rookie with big expectations in the Big Apple as is number 2 overall pick Ja Morant in Memphis.

The championship potential of this NBA season is more spread out than years in recent memory. While the odds favor the Larry O’Brien Trophy to return to LA, if there’s one thing we learned from last season in Toronto – nothing is guaranteed.