NBA: 30 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 season

(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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15. A potentially wild trade season

The Golden State Warriors’ fall from grace has opened a championship window that’s been perceived shut for the last three seasons, resulting in new-found belief for several NBA squads in pursuit of a title.

That rediscovered hope is somewhat responsible for one of the wildest free-agent periods in league history. Players were relocating at a pace never before seen as franchises looked to capitalize on the golden opportunity that is the wide-open race for the ultimate prize.

It’s a feeling that will only pick up steam as the regular season progresses. Each contending team will look to get as slim an edge as they possibly can, scouring the trade market for any potential advantage.

Unfortunately, given the volume of new contracts this summer, available options will be slim for front offices everywhere until those deals can be traded starting Dec 15. Once that time comes and goes, expect few players to be off-limits in talks amid what is sure to be a flurry of trades to make up lost time.

This isn’t even mentioning the inevitable chatter of potential stars on the move. Andre Drummond has a player option for the following season, as does DeMar DeRozan. Bradley Beal is the domino that can change the NBA landscape if he continues to remain mute on the contract extension offered by the Washington Wizards.

Oh, and while Andre Iguodala doesn’t appear likely to leave the Memphis Grizzlies any time soon, a bidding war could soon commence for the former Finals MVP when more trade chips become available.

If a team isn’t chasing a championship, they’re likely looking to qualify for the postseason or at least see an uptick in their win total. Without many options in the summer of 2020, that desperation for success will cause many to strike while the iron is still simmering from a scalding summer.