The NBA season is here and the Denver Nuggets are back to defend the first title in the franchise’s history. Joel Embiid finds himself back on this list after coming away with the MVP last season. With several offseason additions and departures, teams have fallen and risen on this list from the end of last season when the Nuggets met the Heat in the Finals. Here are the preseason top ten teams in the NBA.
10. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat were in talks all offseason about adding a key piece that could not only make them a contender in the East but could push them over the edge to an NBA championship victory. They didn’t add anyone and will start again with the Finals squad from last season.
9. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies will start the season without Ja Morant, the team’s star guard. He was suspended last season after two separate gun incidents and will miss 25 games to start this year. The scoring will rest on the shoulders of Desmond Bane in the backcourt.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
The trio of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard will be back for another run this season. The key to this team rising or falling from this rank will be the health of the three aforementioned players. George and Leonard haven’t played a full season together in LA barring injuries yet.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers would be higher on this list if it wasn’t for the drama between the team and James Harden … again. Harden has been sitting out of practice and there is no guarantee that he will suit up this season; if he does, what kind of drama he will bring back with him? For the time being, the team is in the hands of Joel Embiid alone.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
The clock is ticking on the team that the Lakers have formed around. The duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis are now 38 and 30 years old and the most productive years of their careers are most likely behind them. They will need to start winning and winning fast.
5. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors should always be found on this list as long as Stephen Curry is still playing in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 29.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists with 4.9 three-point shots made per game.
4. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are another team that added a dominant player this offseason in Bradley Beal. The trio is now made up of Devin Booker, Beal, and Kevin Durant. Last season, Beal averaged 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists with the Wizards last year.
3. Boston Celtics
It is no secret that the Boston Celtics are an S-tier team in the NBA. The package of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Tatum averaged 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. The Celtics also added Jrue Holiday this offseason which is an upgrade at the point guard position for this squad.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks moved up a spot after adding Damian Lillard to the franchise. Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo could make up the best duo in the NBA this season and the Bucks should be the favorites to come out of the East, especially with a healthy Kris Middleton in the lineup.
1. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are back where they belong after winning their first NBA Championship in team history. Nikola Jokic is back and ready for his third straight MVP-caliber season and Jamal Murray will stay healthy and help this team throughout the year. They should be favorites to repeat.
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