3 Preseason Favorites Including Kevin Durant’s Rockets Who Can Dethrone NBA Champions OKC

The team is packed with young stars, from the likes of All-Star Alperen Sengun, 2-way dynamo Amen Thompson, along with Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard.

To complement them are veterans such as Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and summer signings, Clint Capela, and Dorian Finney-Smith.

This makes the Texas-based squad one of the best well-rounded teams in the league. A good mix of age, experience, skills, and competitive fire. Had Fred VanVleet not ended his season before it started, he would have been a major help.

Thompson might have to adjust to being the playmaker initially. But once he acclimates himself, the Rockets will become one of the teams capable of dethroning OKC as NBA champions.

Donovan Mitchell and his Cavs will be best from the East

Last season, the Indiana Pacers gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a scare in the NBA Finals. This time, they might not return to the grand stage after losing Tyrese Haliburton for the season.

The Boston Celtics are in the same situation after Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles tear. He wants to return, but even if he does, there are doubts about this team after they traded away two of their title-winning contributors due to cap constraints.

There are major question marks about the Milwaukee Bucks, and the New York Knicks might take this season to understand and tune themselves to new head coach Mike Brown‘s schemes. That leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers as the team who have the tools to win it all. With the East struggling with injuries, Donovan Mitchell and his team are about to get their easiest run to the Finals.

Last season, they could not capitalize on their regular-season form, and that should motivate them this time, as many are doubting their capabilities even before the season starts. All it needs is to spark that drive, and Mitchell could finally fulfil his potential as NBA champions.

Kyrie Irving’s return will make Mavericks favorites

When the Dallas Mavericks traded franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, it caused a furor amongst their fans. They believed that decision set their team back by several years.

Fans were not ready to accept that Anthony Davis was going to be a better fit alongside Kyrie Irving and the others. The 6′ 10″ star is best when playing the 4 position, which is what helped the Lakers win their 2020 NBA championship.

With the Mavs, he will play that position as they have two young dynamic centers who can cover for him. The only problem is that Mavs fans did not get to see Davis and Irving play together as injuries curtailed their respective seasons.

Next campaign, the forward, if healthy, can truly show what he is capable of. He will have to wait until Irving returns from his Achilles injury, but once they do, that duo can be a handful. Add the stellar supporting cast along with rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, and the Mavericks have all the tools to make them championship favorites. The only thing holding them back, is health.