More than three months have passed since Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets enjoyed their long-awaited coronation as first-time NBA champions.
Another summer that had the potential for major trades involving big names didn’t materialize for the Knicks, or perhaps more significantly, for the Heat team that ousted them from the playoffs.
Damian Lillard landed last week in Milwaukee, not Miami, just in time for the start of training camp in the coming days.
Here’s a look at 10 intriguing storylines to watch across the league as teams reconvene this week:
1. Milwaukee’s best
The blockbuster deal to pair Lillard with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sent shock waves through the Eastern Conference, making the Bucks the favorites to get back to the NBA Finals following last year’s first-round exit as the top seed to Jimmy Butler and the No. 8 Heat. The Greek Freak for the first time this summer showed cracks in his commitment to the Bucks. But adding Dame — a seven-time All-Star coming off the highest-scoring season of his career — should keep Antetokounmpo happy in the short term.
2. Hardening his stance
Another future Hall of Famer who requested a trade — the latest of his career, that is — was James Harden, but The Beard remains stuck in Philadelphia after the 76ers couldn’t work out a deal to accommodate the disgruntled 10-time All-Star. Harden, who opted in to the final year of his contract at $35.6 million before requesting a trade, called team president Daryl Morey “a liar” and has vowed not to play again for him. Expect more chaos surrounding Harden whether or not the former Net shows up for training camp in Colorado, while waiting to see how it affects reigning MVP Joel Embiid’s future with the organization.
3. Feeling the Heat
Lillard’s preferred destination was South Beach following the Heat’s surprise run to the NBA Finals, but Miami couldn’t satisfy the Blazers’ trade demands. Barring another big move, the Heat will run it back with Butler, Bam Adebayo and not-traded Tyler Herro, although they let key complementary players Gabe Vincent (Lakers) and Max Strus (Cavaliers) leave via free agency.
4. Holiday in, Holiday out
Jrue Holiday didn’t fit the Blazers’ current profile in building around young players such as Anfernee Simons, newly acquired Deandre Ayton and No. 3 overall draft pick Scoot Henderson. So the two-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive team selection was flipped Sunday to the Celtics for Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon and picks, setting up an enticing Lillard-Holiday playoff matchup atop the East.
5. Sir, this is a Wemby’s
The Spurs were fortunate enough to win the lottery for Hall of Fame big men David Robinson and Tim Duncan, and five-time champion coach Gregg Popovich now gets rewarded for last year’s 22-60 bottoming out with 7-foot-4 wunderkind Victor Wembanyama. The 19-year-old French center is the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James two decades ago, and everyone will be expecting Wemby to make a major impact right away in San Antonio.
6. Ja’s suspension
The NBA took a hard line with Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant, suspending him for 25 games to start the season for being shown brandishing a firearm multiple times on social media. But the league announced Monday that the All-Star guard will be allowed to practice at the team facility and travel to road games during his ban.
7. The ultimate Warrior
Chris Paul’s career ring chase landed him alongside Steph Curry with Steve Kerr’s four-time champion Warriors following an initial trade from the Suns to the Wizards in the Bradley Beal blockbuster. Jordan Poole was sent to Washington for the 38-year-old Paul, a 12-time All-Star who is 590 assists behind Jason Kidd for the No. 2 spot on the all-time list.
8. New bench bosses
There are some interesting old faces in new places on the coaching sidelines, most notably Ime Udoka’s return to the bench with the Rockets following a season out of the game after his dismissal in Boston for an improper workplace relationship. Former NBA Coach of the Year winners Monty Williams (Pistons) and Nick Nurse (76ers) also landed new gigs, as did Frank Vogel (Suns), who fronted the Lakers to a championship in 2020.
9. Porter’s problems
Udoka’s new team also must deal with the disturbing situation surrounding guard Kevin Porter Jr., who is facing felony charges in New York for the alleged assault and strangulation of his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. The Rockets reportedly have attempted to trade Porter, but he likely also is facing league suspension in violation of the league’s domestic violence policy. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges officially received a 30-game suspension and didn’t play at all last season for a DV violation.
10. Don’t forget KD and Kyrie
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will begin their first training camps with the teams they were traded to by the Nets in February, the Suns and the Mavericks, respectively. Durant is part of a new Big 3 in the desert alongside Beal and Devin Booker, while Irving remains paired with Luka Doncic in Dallas after last spring’s collapse and eventual tank job following his arrival from Brooklyn.
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