The NBA being suspended has not gone well for the fans or the players. The 2019-20 season was off to a great start with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers all vying for that top honor. But caught in the middle of that whirlwind were teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Miami Heat, and the Houston Rockets. But what happens now that the league may not return this season?
While teams like the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons had no shot at the playoffs, there are some teams that will take a big their if the season doesn't resume. If there is no play, teams will enter the offseason looking for more than answeres. Out of the 30 NBA teams, there are maybe five teams constructed with a championship in mind this year.
Here are 3 teams hurt the most by the Coronavirus shutdown.
Los Angeles Lakers
This was to be the year where LeBron James won his fourth championship ring. But if the NBA does shut down for the 2019-20 season, then it's over. But more importantly, for the Lakers is the offseason. Anthony Davis has a Player Option for 2020 and if he declines, then what? This could set the Lakers back and the other factor to consider is that James was not getting any younger.
By the start of next season, James will be pushing 36 years old. How many more seasons does he have in him where he can continue to play at a high level? Rounding out the Lakers' roster are role players who will settle for less but what if other teams come calling with bigger roles and contracts?
The only player signed through 2021 is James and his deal expires in 2020. The Lakers will have to shell out tons of money in the next two years. That's why the 2019-20 campaign was important. The front office took a gamble as they always have and that gamble may come back to haunt them.
Oklahoma City Thunder
One of the surprise teams of the season was the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before the season was suspended, the Thunder sat at 40-24 which was good for 5th in the Western Conference. The Thunder were in the thick of the race but catching the Lakers, Rockets, Utah Jazz, and Clippers would have been tough. However, what this team was able to accomplish was nothing short of amazing.
During the NBA trade deadline, the Thunder were in discussions to move a few players including soon-to-be free agent Danilo Gallinari. While he remains with the team, it will be interesting to see how they will move forward this offseason. The possibility of losing Gallinari and maybe Chris Paul will make this suspension hurt even more.
Not saying that the Thunder had a legit shot to win the title but after losing Russell Westbrook and Paul George in the offseason, watching this team compete was worth the price of admission. Come next season, this team could be no more. Gallinari is a free agent and Paul, at 34 is due to make $41M. There could be changes ahead.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks were rolling through the Eastern Conference. Right before the season was suspended, the Bucks were sitting at 53-12 which was best in the NBA. With Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge and possibly to his second straight MVP, the Bucks looked unstoppable. Unlike the Lakers, the Bucks have another year on their hands. The core of the team is signed through 2020 while Antetokounmpo is set to hit free agency in 2021.
Unless something drastic happens, he will resign. But still, losing this season can haunt the Bucks as they were a step ahead of the rest of the NBA. But if the season is cancelled, then that gives teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Clippers time to make the proper roster moves this offseason.
The Bucks had everything going for them. They were ranked 1st in points scored and 5th in points allowed. They were top 5 in blocks, rebounds, and three-point shooting. How many teams can say they had all the ingredients for a championship run as the Milwaukee Bucks did?
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