(Dreamstime.com) It has undoubtedly been a different season for the NBA this year. With the season coming to a close, to the bubble, and now the off-season, things have gotten interesting and potentially game-changing for some, if not most NBA teams. 

Not to mention that the NBA Draft happened Wednesday, Nov. 18 so there’s now a new wave of young talent across the league. Along with seasoned veterans, they could create trouble for other teams and potentially become championship contenders. So who are the ones to keep an eye out for?

(GettyImages) 1. Los Angeles Lakers. The LA Lakers are clearly at the top spot of the teams to watch this year since coming off of the 2020 Championship. Lebron James just resigned on a two-year contract worth $85 million to continue with the Lakers and do some damage to the league. Top NBA player Anthony Davis also resigned with a huge five-year deal with the Lakers worth $190 million to create an unguardable duo with James. Not to mention they’ve added reinforcements like power forward Montrez Harrell, center Marc Gasol, and one of the top point guards in the league Dennis Schroeder to help out and potentially go on another championship run this 2020-21 season.

(GettyImages) 2. Milwaukee Bucks. Of course, the Bucks were going to be on this list. This team made an earlier exit in the playoffs this past year than fans were expecting. Giannis Antetotokounmpo, star play on the team is dominating and leading his team with 29.5 ppg, 13.0 rpg, and 5.6 apg. But since the off-season has started, changes have been made to help him out. The Bucks recently acquired Jrue Holiday, a top point guard known for his defense and scoring, he can take some of the weight off of Antetokoumnpo’s back and contribute at a high caliber level.

(GettyImages) 3. Los Angeles Clippers. At No. 3 we have the LA Clippers. With the elite duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, they carry the Clippers to the top tier of teams that are a problem in the NBA. You would think they’d be in trouble after losing power forward Montrez Harrell to the Lakers, but they are sitting comfortably again. Recently, power forward Serge Ibaka agreed to sign a two-year contract worth around $19 million and he’s a great addition to the team. A consistent producer averaging 14.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and let’s not forget his defense which helped him make 3 appearances on the NBA All-Defensive team. The Clippers have also added guard/ forward Nicholas Batum, and although he doesn’t make much noise in the NBA he should be a good inclusion for this team with his shooting.  They are definitely another team to watch out for this season.

(GettyImages) 4. Houston Rockets. This team has made some moves this 2020 off-season, so where to begin? Earlier in the off-season, the Rockets had picked up star center DeMarcus Cousins on a one-year deal. Although he hasn’t been on the court since the 2019 Finals vs. Toronto, he brings some much-needed height at 6’10. Not to mention his scoring ability and defense, Cousins could be a good fit. The Rockets have just recently acquired star point John Wall from the Wizards in a trade that involved another star point guard Russell Westbrook. Now even though Wall has been out due to injury, he’s fully healed and should be ready to get back on the court for the 2020-21 season. Pairing those two former teammates with James Harden, one of the top shooting guards in the league if not the top, should have other teams nervous.

(GettyImages) 5. Dallas Mavericks. With returning to the playoffs since 2016, they have certainly improved over the past couple of seasons. Since the addition of Luka Doncic in 2018, the previous Rookie Of The Year keeps progressively getting better each season. From averaging 21.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, and 6.0 apg to 28.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 8.8 apg, Doncic is a threat all on his own. Although out due to injury but set to return, Kristaps Porzingis has been a great player alongside Doncic. The 7’3 power forward/center had averaged 20.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg, and 1.8 apg in the 2019-20 season so who knows what top-notch things he’ll be capable of this year. Not to mention, the Mavericks have acquired Josh Richardson from the Miami Heat this offseason. Richardson should be a great supporting piece to the team behind Doncic and Porzingis averaging 13.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 2.9 apg. This is a young team but the sky’s the limit for them and they definitely shouldn’t be brushed off.