10 Questions to Answer This NBA Season

The NBA offseason is winding down and training camp is just over a month away. This summer has been filled with a highly anticipated draft, monumental return home, blockbuster trade, devastating injury, and that’s just scratching the surface. How will all the twists and turns play out this season? Take a look at 10 questions to be answered once NBA action gets underway.

Do the Cleveland Cavaliers have enough to win it all?
First, they signed LeBron James. Then, they traded for Kevin Love. The Cleveland Cavaliers have constructed an championship contender this summer. James knows firsthand a powerhouse roster doesn’t guarantee an immediate title, but all eyes will be on the Cavaliers to see if they can win it all in their first season together.

Can the Miami HEAT rebound?
Filling the void of a team’s best player is one thing. Filling the void of LeBron James is another. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will try to lead the Miami HEAT back to title contention without the most dominant player in the NBA.

Can the San Antonio Spurs repeat?
Age is irrelevant when it comes to the veteran staying power of the San Antonio Spurs. Just when it seems like they can’t go all the way again, they do. With the emergence of NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and the return of future Hall of Famers, the Spurs will look to defend their championship reign.

How will the Indiana Pacers bounce back from losing Paul George?
In spite of their struggles in the second half of last season, the Indiana Pacers were poised to be a contender in the Eastern Conference once again. That changed in an instant when Paul George broke his leg during a U.S. national team scrimmage earlier this month. Will the Pacers compete in the East as a playoff team or spiral down the standings?

Will this be the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season?
They have one of the best players in the NBA, but do they have enough to win it all? The Oklahoma City Thunder will set out to conquer the West this season. The competition isn’t getting any lighter in the conference and the Thunder will be tested once again to break through to the Finals

Where will Rajon Rondo finish the season?
Rajon Rondo has been at the center of trade rumors for years. This season he has an expiring contract and the highest trade value on the Boston Celtics. Expect to hear his name back in the trade buzz until the deadline.

What kind of player will Derrick Rose be?
The NBA world has been waiting anxiously to see the true power of a healthy Derrick Rose. His career has been sidelined by two serious knee injuries, leaving the Chicago Bulls guard in a constant battle to stay on the court. He has returned to action this summer with Team USA and this season he will look to get back to star-caliber basketball.

How long will it take to fix the Los Angeles Lakers?
When big name free agents signed elsewhere this summer, including Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves without a major overhaul from last season. There is no quick solution. Even the return of Kobe Bryant would leave them with a large hurdle to overcome in the Western Conference.

Who will win Rookie of the Year?
Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker? Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins? The debate for top overall pick was highly contested before the draft. This season Wiggins will play to prove he was deserving of the first selection and second-pick Parker will fight to show he’s at the top of the class.

Who is the newest contender?
From the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Indiana Pacers, there are teams around the league each season ready to take the next step to become a contender. Could this be the Washington Wizards’ time to shine? Have the Charlotte Hornets found their missing pieces? There is plenty of young talent on the rise in the league for an unexpected team to make a statement.