In what has been a very unusual year for the NBA, it looks like next season’s going to be no different. Even in late October, no firm date has been fixed for its start which may be in December or even in January. In fact, the only date that has been set so far is the All-Star game which will be played at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indiana on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.
Whether the action next season will be as unpredictable as it has been in the 2019/2020 games is open to debate. Many people, not least the fans who laid bets on the Milwaukee Bucks winning the Championship will hope their team will prevail. It certainly seemed like the arrival of the incredible Giannis Antetokounmpo would bring about a reversal in fortune for the team.
However, it wasn’t to be as they were eliminated in the playoffs by Miami Heat, themselves overcome decisively in the finals by the LA Lakers. This 17th title made them officially join the best team ever in NBA history alongside the Boston Celtics – it also gave LeBron James plenty to phone home about.
The season ahead:
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, despite the questions about when it will actually start, the organizers are adamant that the play-offs will take place in April as usual. Fitting all the games during this constricted time period will obviously create great pressures on the players so there may well be the risk of injuries occurring just when the teams can least afford them.
There is also the question of how many fans will be allowed to attend games, or even whether any will be admitted at all. While obviously having to accept all safety guidelines, the presence of vocal support not only adds to the atmosphere of the games but also spurs on players to perform at their best. Although, evidence from the UK’s Premier League suggests that empty seats may also result in some very surprising scorelines.
The uncertainty that lies ahead has also created an extra layer of interest in where the NBA’s free agents may be headed next season.
The free agency explained:
For anyone unfamiliar with the set-up for free agents, it means that players who are out of contract with their current team have various levels of freedom to move to others as and when the opportunity arises. It’s a complex area with many ways in which a player can qualify. There are also different types including restricted and unrestricted free agency. In the former, the player can approach any other team, but his existing one has the right to match their offer on a “right of first refusal” basis.
Unrestricted free agents, on the other hand, are free to join any team that they want should the opportunity arise.
While last year’s free agency was full of drama and speculation, this year’s is set to be a far more low-key affair. That’s not to say that it won’t be closely watched by all those fans who aim to back their teams to reach the playoffs. With more and more states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania gradually legalizing betting on all sports, many fans are now going that step further by showing their loyalty to their team by placing a bet for their team to win. NBA fans will be observing the free agents every move and the impact this may have on teams’ odds of winning or reaching the playoffs in the upcoming season.
Who could be on the move?
As to which players may be catching the eye of their potential future teams, a number look like particularly good prospects.
1) Danilo Galinari:
The 32-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder player should still have a good few seasons in him. He’s become well-known for his versatility as a forward and Miami Heat have already shown more than a little interest in him in the past. Maybe he didn’t do himself full justice in the play-offs against Houston, but he should still be of interest.
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2) Christian Wood:
Even though the Detroit Pistons had a bad season, certain players like Wood did manage to shine. Averaging 22.3 points and 9.5 rebounds, the stats don’t lie. As an unrestricted free agent, he should have plenty of options open to him, as well as many teams who would be more than keen to sign him.
3) Rajon Rondo:
With LeBron James in the team, it’s always going to be difficult for others to shine. But Rondo had a major role in the Lakers’ Championship success. His real skill comes in a great ability to spot weaknesses in opponents and exploit them to the full, as Miami Heat soon discovered to their cost.
4) Tristan Thompson:
There were reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers might be wanting to extend Thompson’s contract thanks to his value to the team. But the arrival of Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons has made him a little redundant. So now could be the moment for a move.
5) Chris Boucher:
Last, but not least, the Toronto Raptors player has always been something of a late bloomer having only been discovered at the age of 19. Now 27, he’s certainly entering his prime and would certainly be a great signing for any team wanting to add some proven class to their forward line-up.
So, it’s going to be fascinating to see who goes where over the coming weeks and what shape the teams are income the start of the new season. Many are hoping that it will become a classic one and there are certainly enough available free agents to let teams strengthen their squads and help many more hoop dreams come true.
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