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The NBA is back TONIGHT. We finally made it after months of anticipation and a summer of crazed free agent movement that saw a number of stars move teams. As a result of the frenzied movement from July, we saw a shift in the power in the NBA. The Warriors are no longer the favorites. Both LA teams think they can win it all. Squads like the Jazz and Nuggets believe they have championship caliber teams. The East appears down this year, but the Bucks and Sixers are legit threats to win it all. After years of basically knowing the final outcome of the NBA season before it began, we're now in a space of unknown. The league has a balance like a post-Thanos snap.
We've ranked the top 50 players in the NBA. We've given our predictions. We've shared the hot takes. Now, the Complex Sports team put together a list of the teams that have a legit shot to win it all next season. Enjoy.
Los Angeles Clippers
Confidence They Can Win It All: High
The current betting favorites for the 2020 NBA championship. The Clippers are loaded with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Patrick Beverley, and Lou Williams. They're really deep and have the top tier talent you need to win a title. As of today, they're also the best team in Los Angeles. Who is ready for an all Staples Center WCF?
Milwaukee Bucks
Confidence They Can Win It All: High
I didn't love the Bucks losing Malcom Brogdon this summer, but they've really benefited from the East getting a bit weaker. Kawhi left Toronto and none of their competitors in the conference got a lot better other than the Nets, who will be without Kevin Durant for this season. With Giannis' free agency quickly approaching in a few years, the Bucks have to really go for it this year. No excuses.
Los Angeles Lakers
Confidence They Can Win It All: High
The Lakers missed out on Kawhi Leonard in free agency, but they still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That alone makes them a legit threat to win a title this season. Additions of Danny Green and Quinn Cook in free agency should add some explosiveness to the team and take a bit of pressure off Bron and AD. The big X-Factor to watch with the Lakers is Kyle Kuzma, who is starting the season with an injury. If he comes back and takes a big step this year it will go a long way for the Lakers.
Philadelphia 76ers
Confidence They Can Win It All: High
Yes, the 76ers lost Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat, but by executing a sign-and-trade, they were able to get Josh Richardson back in the deal. With the addition of Al Horford and bringing back Tobias Harris, Philly is pretty stacked and should have a great shot to make it out of the East. In fact, our entire staff picked Philly to make the finals. They're going to need to add some shooting at some point, but the defensive upside of this team is wild.
Utah Jazz
Confidence They Can Win It All: Medium
People are loving the Jazz right now and you can officially add me to the bandwagon. They've had a great summer that was topped off with the addition of Mike Conley. It's unclear if the Jazz really have enough star power to actually win a title, but they're going to be very, very good. The sky is really the limit for the Jazz this season if Donovan Mitchell takes another step. I don't think anyone would be shocked if this team finished as a top-2 seed in the West.
Houston Rockets
Confidence They Can Win It All: Medium
I want to put the Rockets in the "high" confidence level, but I'm not quite there yet. The addition of Russell Westbrook was one of the biggest moves from this past summer, but it's still unclear how he'll fit in the Rockets system. Of course, from a pure talent perspective, Harden and Russ is as about as elite as you can get, which makes them contenders off the bat. All eyes will be on Houston this season.
Portland Trail Blazers
Confidence They Can Win It All: Low
I'm going with a low confidence for the Blazers. They have Dame and CJ, but they've also had a weird ass summer. They added Hassan Whiteside and Kent Bazemore, but what does that really do? I think they need to make another move to really elevate their chances. Kevin Love comes to mind.
Denver Nuggets
Confidence They Can Win It All: Low
The Nuggets are a great regular season team but I just can't fully put a ton of confidence into them yet. There's a chance they take a major step this season, but we have to see it first. The real wild card is Michael Porter Jr, who is a lottery talent, but needs to prove he can stay healthy. He's the kind of talent boost that could take them to the next level.
Boston Celtics
Confidence They Can Win It All: Low
Could the Celtics actually surprise some folks this season? We have a low confidence in them being a title contender, but they have enough intrigue to put them on this list. Kemba Walker should fit right into the Celtics system and you would think Jayson Tatum has to be better this year. Jaylen Brown just got paid and can still get better. With the East having so few really good teams, there might be an opening for Boston.