3 teams that will benefit the most from NBA's hiatus

The NBA is on track to return in late July, giving playoff teams a chance to rest for nearly four months off. Which teams and players benefit most?

It's looking more and more like the 2019-20 NBA campaign will resume in late July. Well, in some capacity, anyway.

Whether you like the proposed plan or not, the league seems to be moving toward an agreement, so we will probably be seeing the NBA Finals around the same time we are typically supposed to be seeing the World Series. Weird.

The season has been on hold since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, so if and when the season does return late next month, the teams will have had a four-month rest.

But who will end up benefiting the most from the hiatus?

Here are the three teams who will be the most thankful for the time away.

3. Brooklyn Nets

This one is a bit of a reach, but it's worth mentioning.

The Brooklyn Nets have played most of the season without Kevin Durant (who has not played a game) and Kyrie Irving (who underwent shoulder surgery in early March).

Can Brooklyn actually bring Irving—and possibly even Durant—back if the campaign does end up going into October?

Here's the thing: the smart decision would be to keep both guys out. Especially Durant, who is recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered last June.

But if the Nets want to go all in on risk, they could put all of their chips on the table and try and get Irving and Durant back on the floor in time for the “playoffs.”

Personally, I think that would be silly, because even if Kyrie and KD do return, they aren't going to be 100 percent right off the bat. But we'll see what Brooklyn decides to do here.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

Of all the teams in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers will definitely benefit the most from this break.

Before the NBA season was suspended, it was looking like Philadelphia might enter the playoffs without Ben Simmons, who was dealing with a back injury. But now, it looks like Simmons will be ready to go when things resume.

Not only that, but Joel Embiid has yet to play a full season in his NBA career. Whether it has been foot, back or knee issues, the big man has had tremendous difficulty staying on the floor.

Getting four months of rest will be huge for Embiid's massive seven-foot, 280-pound frame. Remember: last spring, Embiid was a bit hobbled going into the Sixers' first-round playoff series against the Nets.

This year, Embiid should be completely healthy and refreshed for a postseason run.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

This one is fairly obvious.

For years now, LeBron James has been conserving energy for the playoffs, and this season, that pretty much took care of itself. Obviously, James still played a good chunk of the regular season, but having four-plus months off and a shortened regular season overall will definitely help him be fresher for the postseason.

And by now, we know just how much more energy James expends in late April, May and June…except in this case, it will be August, September and October (are you sure we are not talking about the pennant race?).

Plus, the Lakers' roster in general is full of older players, ranging from Rajon Rondo to Danny Green. And you know what? Even Anthony Davis has had a penchant for getting banged up.

This hiatus will greatly assist Los Angeles in its quest for a title.