Being two months through the 2021-22 NBA season, it is very clear to see which teams stand a chance at winning a title this season and which do not.
The Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz have begun to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference remains wide-open.
The Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and even the Cleveland Cavaliers have been looking very sharp all season long, but these may not be the only five teams in the East with a chance to be special come playoff time.
In the end, injuries and health protocols will play a role in how this season unfolds and who will be raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June, but for some teams, this is nothing more than a false reality.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: These 4 Teams Continue To Be Linked To Ben Simmons Trade Rumors
There are a handful of teams who made the playoffs a season ago that have not lived up to the standards placed upon them and while there have been no trades made yet this season, the NBA trade deadline in February is beginning to loom above the heads of many front-offices.
Trading for talent or trading away talent is always the biggest question facing many teams around this time of the season and for these three teams, using the NBA trade deadline to rebuild may pay off down the line.