Now that the 2019 NBA Finals have been decided, it’s never too early to take a look ahead at the favorites to win it all in 2020.
The 2019 NBA Finals were decided Thursday night, with the Toronto Raptors eking out another close win on the road against an injury-battered Golden State Warriors side to win their first ever Larry O’Brien Trophy.
While it was devastating to see both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson go down with potentially career-altering injuries, the Raptors showed great poise throughout a hard-fought and entertaining series that regaled NBA fans with quite a few thrilling, back-and-forth affairs.
We were deprived of a Game 7 in the end, and no one should’ve hoped to see the Warriors dynasty crumble in this depressing fashion, but in the wake of such crushing injury news, an unprecedented summer full of unpredictability awaits.
What will KD and Klay do in free agency now that they’ll spend most if not all of the 2019-20 campaign on the mend? Will reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard re-up with the Raptors, or did this championship simply make it easier for him to leave for sunny Los Angeles with no hard feelings? Who’s trading for Anthony Davis, and where will Kyrie Irving end up?
The questions and takeaways following the 2019 NBA Finals are seemingly endless, but even with an offseason full of player movement certain to change the current landscape, it’s never too early to take a look ahead and try and get our bearings for next season.
With that in mind, and taking into account what could happen on the trade market and free agency in a suddenly wide open league, here’s a way-too-early look at the 10 most likely teams to win it all in 2020.
Honorable Mentions: Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers