the favorites for the season title after the trade deadline

Last Thursday, the 8th, the franchises of NBA They finally finalized all the negotiations they could make to change their squads in the 2023/24 season. While some sought to improve the reconstruction for a better future, other teams wanted to put themselves even more in the running for the long-awaited league title. See now which are the 11 main teams that can be considered contenders to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

11. Los Angeles Lakers

O Los Angeles Lakers is the furthest among the possible candidates for the title. The franchise of California did not move during the trade deadlineso you continue to face the same problems you had before the exchange period began.

Occupying ninth place in the Western Conferencemust participate in the play-in in search of a definitive place in the playoffs, but it remains far from being the team that can guarantee a title in the most precise way.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers

With DonovanMitchell presenting MVP numbers, Jarrett Allen playing at an All-Star level and more, the Cleveland Cavaliers surprisingly occupies second place in the Eastern Conferenceeven with significant injuries Evan Mobley It is Darius Garland. Despite this, the team Ohio He hasn’t yet earned the respect of everyone in the league – as much as he deserves it – and he has a lot to prove.

9. New York Knicks

The franchise of New York it moved little, but well. With the additions of OG Anunoby, Alec Burks It is Bojan Bogdanovic to help Jalen BrunsonO New York Knicks is coming strong in the title race. Like the Cavs, the team still needs to prove something, as it suffers from many fluctuations that could lead to failure in the finals. playoffsbut it ranks fourth in the East for a reason.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder

As strange as such a distant position may seem for a team that competes for the leadership of the West at all times, there is an explanation: lack of experience. O Oklahoma City Thunder is made up mostly of young people, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams It is Chet Holmgren, which hurts their chances of maintaining a winning streak in a best-of-7 matchup in the postseason. The arrival of Gordon Hayward can help with this issue.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

The character and experience that the Thunder lack is found built over the last few years in Minnesota Timberwolves. The defense features a championship-winning caliber, Anthony Edwards Every day he shows more and more that he can face anyone in attack. However, difficulties have been hindering the Wolves’ path, which could jeopardize a good run in the playoffs.

6. Golden State Warriors

After a poor start in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors managed to unlock what was holding the four-time champions back. Stephen Curry you are no longer alone and you see Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and company help win the games. The great tradition of the team San Francisco in the playoffs built in recent years could be a decisive factor.

5. Phoenix Suns

When Devin Booker, Kevin Durant It is Bradley Beal share the court, many can expect a victory for Phoenix Suns. Even without much rapport, the more they are together, the more they know each other and the more they can lead the team. Arizona further. The franchise’s Big-3 talent is undeniable and weighs heavily.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

Despite being very disappointing this season, the Milwaukee Bucks has a powerful attack, with Giannis Antetokounmpo It is Damian Lillard, as well as a coach with playoff experience. The longer they play together, the more rapport they will achieve to perhaps resume the championship basketball they had in 2021.

3. Boston Celtics

With the best campaign of the season so far, the Boston Celtics they have only lost 12 times in their 54 games so far. With five starters being a nightmare for opposing defenses, the team Massachusetts count with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White It is Kristaps Porzingis flying while Jayson Tatum It is Jaylen Brown command the court. In the Eastern Conference, they are the big favorites to be in the league’s grand final.

2. Denver Nuggets

The current champions can never be undeserved. With Nikola Jokic increasingly closer to winning his third MVP award, the Denver Nuggets sees the five starters increasingly integrated and aligned. So far, no one really understands how to stop Joker’s game and Jamal Murraywhich may cause the franchise to Colorado return to the finals after your first title in history to complete the back-to-back.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Last but not least, the Los Angeles Clippers. After a poor start to the season, it seems that the arrival of James Harden to help Kawhi Leonard, Paul George It is Russell Westbrook made the team take a different direction in the season.

If they stay healthy, they can do damage to any team that encounters them. Currently, the franchise occupies third place in the West, with 35 wins and 17 losses, something unexpected for those who watched the squad’s basketball at the beginning of the campaign.