A group of nine teams that currently project to have cap space in 2021. Several others could join them, and a handful are going to be over the cap almost no matter what. Read more »

It's important, perhaps now more than ever, to be optimistic when you can afford to be. Read more »

It's a hazy era for the Warriors: the post-Rome effort to make something more lasting, which necessarily requires Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to prove themselves as under-utilized players who were capable of much more through their years with Klay, Durant and Iguodala. Read more »

With all the narrative baggage buried, though maybe not super deeply, Kevin Durant is now playing basketball in Brooklyn with a boldly visible love for it again. Read more »

With his size, passing and scoring, Cade Cunningham is considered the crown jewel of the highly rated 2021 draft class. Read more »

Gregg Popovich has always treated basketball with the correct amount of seriousness, which is to say you let it drive you nuts, until you realize you're being stupid and ease up. Both of those things are important. Read more »

While the Bulls, Pistons and Cavaliers are rebuilding, the Pacers are trying to get out of the get of the first round, the Bucks have championship or bust expectations. Read more »

While the Mavericks appear to be the only playoff lock in the division, the Rockets, Spurs, Grizzlies and Pelicans should all at least be in the Play-In mix. Read more »

There are players who come along every decade or so, and they invent a new grammar, sometimes even a new language of basketball. With Zion Williamson, we merely want the time to understand it. Read more »

You see someone who can do a bit of everything at age 24 and figure he'll develop linearly and remarkably, until you've talked yourself into a player like Josh Richardson becoming Tony Allen crossed with Bradley Beal. It's fun to get carried away. Read more »

Being heedless, when you can still afford to be, is one of the great pleasures of being young. And seeing Ja Morant romp and rage- it's a kind of metaphor for being young, a heightened representation of it. Read more »

Rudy Gobert is a tough one. He demands praise, to the point of importunance. He's sensitive to the idea that he's only a defensive stopper. Read more »

On the 76ers and Celtics hoping for a breakthrough, the Nets figuring out what they'll be with Durant and Irving, Toronto running it back without their center vets, and the Knicks embarking a different type of rebuild. Read more »

Everybody has to overcome themselves; almost no one has to deal with scoring on Rudy Gobert. Dennis Schroder has managed it, with greater efficiency than you'd expect, and the Lakers are his reward. Read more »

With Luka Doncic and Trae Young virtually guaranteed to sign max extensions in 2021, the focus will instead turn to whether Marvin Bagley, Deandre Ayton, Wendell Carter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Michael Porter can elevate their play to join them. Read more »

The Boylen Era Bulls had no clue what to do with Wendell Carter, and he should benefit noticeably from Billy Donovan steady hand. Read more »

The reason Miami's almost-championship run was inspiring is because it felt like it was entirely a product of their institutional competence. They drafted well and coached guys up. They worked every advantage they had. Read more »

The Nuggets and Jazz will largely look the same, while the Blazers addressed their depth issues, Minnesota looks for a third star, and the Thunder begin their aggressive rebuild. Read more »

R.J. Barrett has the kind of broad, amorphous ability that you can project your desires onto. He is the idea of home ownership, the haze-engulfed outline of a better self. Read more »

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will get a chance to explore the limits of what he can do as a number one option, which will be fun, until the losses begin to pile up and the malaise sets in. Read more »