All NBA fans will be eagerly looking forward to the return of basketball action. Although there are some great ways to stay entertained when there are no games on (such as watching the most inspirational sports movies), it really is magical when the season begins. Of course, just because there are no matches on, this does not mean that there is nothing exciting happening in the NBA.
Offseason is a period for teams to rebuild and refresh their rosters. This sees the free agency period in the offseason (which began on August 6, 2021) become a very important time. It is also a thrilling time for NBA fans, as they get to see who heads where. It is worth keeping up with offseason deals if you like to bet on the NBA as well. This enables you to know which sides could be the strongest in the upcoming season and which might be worth backing. It can also help you place future bets pre-season for who will make the playoffs or win the Finals. For more NBA information and analysis to help your sports betting, visit this website, where you will find invaluable information as well as the best sportsbooks to suit your needs.
The 2021 offseason was all set to be a real blockbuster, with players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be available. While this has not worked out due to many big names signing contract extensions with current teams, there have still been some notable deals made.
But which have been the biggest?
Kyle Lowry moving to the Heat
This has to be one of the top NBA offseason moves in 2021. There is just no doubting Kyle Lowry’s class and talent. Already a legend in Toronto for helping the Raptors scoop the championship in 2018/19, he is also a six-time NBA All-Star and gold medalist from the 2016 Olympics. His $85m move to Miami saw Dragic and Achiuwa move the other way and was a real coup for the Heat.
Lowry will not only bring toughness, experience, and a winning mentality with him but also provide a foundation for the side to grow. With Duncan Robinson and PJ Tucker also coming to the Heat, Lowry could be the missing piece of the puzzle they need.
Russell Westbrook to the Lakers
In terms of big offseason deals in the NBA, Russell Westbrook moving to the Lakers is a real headline grabber. It caps off a busy offseason overall for the Lakers, who also brought in people such as Trevor Ariza and Dwight Howard. Westbrook’s signing is the deal that got everyone talking, though, and many just cannot wait for him to link up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. As Westbrook is a former 2017 MVP if that three-click in LA then they could be an unstoppable force.
It is not just former glories that have persuaded the Lakers to splash out on Westbrook, though. Last season, for example, he overtook Oscar Robertson to lead the NBA in triple-doubles. He remains a superb passer and is sure to bring an extra dimension to LA with his playmaking skills. An aggressive point guard, he should also bring extra physicality to the Lakers’ defense.
Bulls signing Lonzo Ball
The Chicago Bulls clearly identified the fact they had a weak defense last season – with this in mind, they swooped decisively to rectify the issue and signed Lonzo Ball in swift action that sees the NBA looking into potential tampering by the sides involved. He really is an upgrade at point guard for them and should bring better shooting to the side, plus superb court awareness, tough defensive skills on the perimeter, and decent passing. Ball has really worked on his game over the last few years and this has seen him become a better player when trying for 3-pointers. Many think that the $21m deal the Bulls pulled off for him in this offseason is one of their best moves to date.
NBA 2021 offseason throws up some big moves
So far, the NBA offseason in 2021 has delivered some pretty big transactions. The three listed above are certainly some of the moves that have got people talking the most. When you also throw in deals like Evan Fournier to the Knicks and Spencer Dinwiddie to the Wizards, it is clear how exciting the free-agent period has been for NBA fans. All this bodes well for the new campaign and it will be interesting to see how the players who have moved around perform.
