The new NBA campaign has officially tipped off, presenting a fresh opportunity for organizations to turn their fortunes around last season.
Like every year, some teams will overachieve, some will underachieve, and some franchises have redemption at the forefront of their mind as the regular season progresses.
With that, let’s take a look at the five franchises out to redeem themselves, right the wrongs, and change the narrative this season.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Roster Subtractions:
- Kostas Antetokunmpo
- Devontae Cacok
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Montrezl Harrell
- Alex Caruso
- Andre Drummond
- Jared Dudley
- Marc Gasol
- Kyle Kuzma
- Wesley Matthews
- Alfonzo McKinnie
- Ben McLemore
- Markieff Morris
- Dennis Schroder
Roster Additions:
- Carmelo Anthony
- Trevor Ariza
- Kent Bazemore
- Avery Bradley
- Sekou Doumbouya
- Wayne Ellington
- Dwight Howard
- DeAndre Jordan
- Malik Monk
- Kendrick Nunn
- Austin Reaves
- Rajon Rondo
- Russell Westbrook
Re-signed:
The Los Angeles Lakers are out for redemption this season after bowing out in the first round of the playoffs last campaign. The 2020 NBA champions struggled with injuries and the short turnaround following the bubble, resulting in a genuinely underwhelming showing when it matters most.
Following a complete roster revamp that landed triple-double machine Russell Westbrook, the expectations are high in Los Angeles as the Lakers march towards banner number 18.
MIAMI HEAT
Roster Subtractions:
- Precious Achiuwa
- Trevor Ariza
- Nemanja Bjelica
- Goran Dragic
- Andre Iguodala
- Kendrick Nunn
Roster Additions:
- Marcus Garrett
- Kyle Lowry
- Markieff Morris
- Caleb Martin
- J. Tucker
Re-Signed:
- Jimmy Butler
- Dewayne Dedmon
- Udonis Haslem
- Victor Oladipo
- Duncan Robinson
- Max Strus
- Gabe Vincent
Omer Yurtseven
Much like the Lakers, the Miami Heat suffered last season following the short turnaround after the bubble. With no continuity, battling injuries, and an interrupted preseason, the Heat never got it together as eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks humbled them in the first round.
In true Miami Heat style, the front office was active this season, adding the veteran presences of Kyle Lowry P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris and re-signing emotional leaders Jimmy Butler and Udonis Haslem.
On paper, the Heat boast arguably the most intimidating defensive outfit in the league, in turn emerging as an early-season favorite to come out of the East.
CHICAGO BULLS
Roster Subtractions:
- Al-Farouq Aminu
- Ryan Arcidiacono
- Cristiano Felicio
- Lauri Markkanen
- Adam Mokoka
- Tomas Satoransky
- Garrett Temple
- Daniel Theis
- Denzel Valentine
- Thaddeus Young
Roster Additions:
- Lonzo Ball
- Tony Bradley
- Alex Caruso
- Tyler Cook
- DeMar DeRozan
- Ayo Dosunmu
- Alize Johnson
- Derrick Jones
- Marko Simonovic
- Matt Thomas
Re-Signed:
- Devon Dotson
- Javonte Green
The Chicago Bulls comprehensively won this offseason, and there is optimism around that the league that the once Eastern Conference powerhouse will return to elite status this campaign.
The additions of Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso set NBA Twitter on fire. On talent alone, there is no reason why the Bulls cannot be one of the premier teams in the association once again.
Gone are the days of rebuilding as the Windy City prepares for a return to the postseason.
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GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Roster Subtractions:
- Kent Bazemore
- Jordan Bell
- Nico Mannion
- Mychal Mulder
- Kelly Oubre Jr
- Eric Paschall
- Alen Smailagic
Roster Additions:
- Nemanja Bjelica
- Chris Chiozza
- Jeff Dowtin
- Andre Iguodala
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Moses Moody
- Otto Porter Jr
Re-Signed:
- Stephen Curry
- Gary Payton II
Health is wealth for the Golden State Warriors this season. Fighting tooth and nail but ultimately falling short in the Western Conference play-in game last campaign, there was an overwhelming feeling that the Warriors wasted a season of superstar Steph Curry’s prime.
Now, the Warriors are out to ascend the Conference standings once again, with health as the driving factor. They’ll have to wait until early in the New Year to welcome back fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson, but with his presence on the floor, the Warriors will be among the teams to beat once again this time around.
BOSTON CELTICS
Roster Subtractions:
- Carsen Edwards
- Tacko Fall
- Evan Fournier
- Luke Kornet
- Semi Ojeleye
- Tristan Thompson
- Kemba Walker
- Tremont Waters
Roster Additions:
- Bruno Fernando
- Sam Hauser
- Juancho Hernangomez
- Al Horford
- Enes Kanter
- Josh Richardson
- Dennis Schroder
- Brodric Thomas
Re-Signed:
- Jabari Parker
- Marcus Smart
- Robert Williams III
Similar to the Warriors, health is the central reason for the Boston Celtics redemption season.
In the playoffs last season, the Celtics were without one-half of their star duo as Jaylen Brown was forced to watch from the sidelines. However, Brown is healthy and ready to go coming off a solid preseason.
The Celtics front office was quietly productive building around Brown and Tatum, bringing German international Dennis Schroder, talented big men Al Horford and Enes Kanter, and landing sharpshooter Josh Richardson to the locker room.
The East continues to get better each year, and the Celtics are looking to take the next step in their redemption tour inside TD Garden.
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