With the 2021-2022 NBA season approaching, many teams have made offseason moves altering their chances to win the NBA finals. 

     Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls have utilized this offseason to their advantage in forming a contending group for the championship.

     With pre-season wrapping up, teams’ depth charts and an early look at how this year’s draft class will perform are providing impressive and lackluster results.

     The Golden State Warriors look to get back in form after struggling through an injury riddled roster the past two seasons. Stephen Curry missed the 2019-2020 season and star player Klay Thompson missed the past two campaigns with a torn ACL and Achilles.

     ESPN states, “Thompson missed the entire 2019-20 season recovering from the ACL tear, only to tear his left Achilles during an offseason workout in November 2020.”

     The Warriors dynasty’s original big three return this year to play together for the first time since 2019, a year in which the team made a trip to the NBA finals. With the addition of rookies Kuminga and Moody, as well as impressive play from third year player Jordan Poole in pre-season, it would not be a shock to see the Warriors on top of the West once again. 

     Moving to the East, six-time champions, the Chicago Bulls, have completely revamped their squad leaving only Zach Lavine and Coby White after a disastrous 22-43 season last year.

     Chicago welcomed in DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso through free agency this offseason hoping to bounce back.

     With DeRozan signing a three-year $85 million contract, Chicago hopes to see another elite scorer at the mid range complimenting Lavine at the two-guard. 

     In Lonzo Ball’s four-year $85 million contract, Bulls fans hope Ball can use his impressive passing skills to make plays and facilitate the floor. 

     Alex Caruso and his four-year $37 million contract is expected to be the team’s six man providing elite defense and shooting from the stretch.

     NBA Youtuber and Analyst Bryan Solis, known as BSOLZ, states, “The core of the Chicago Bulls as well as their expectations are now completely different, in a good way. I wouldn’t say they’re a contender, but they do have a core that can be competitive in the East.”

     Heading back to California, the Los Angeles Lakers have made numerous roster adjustments following a first-round exit. Los Angeles acquired Russell Westbrook in a trade sending Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Washington Wizards.

     Los Angeles also acquired more names such as Carmelo Anthony, Kendrick Nunn, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, and the list continues in hopes to win another championship.

     Solis states, “The Lakers made many moves this offseason that could potentially work out really well, but it could also backfire really bad.

     The Lakers will be competing at the top of the West and will have to overcome adversity but with LeBron James in front anything is possible.

     This year’s offseason was definitely one for the books and only time will tell whether these teams will succeed or fail under the pressure.