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Knicks make big moves to get Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and look like an NBA contender

Knicks make big moves to get Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges and look like an NBA contender

New York Knicks Last season: 50-32, lost to Indiana in Eastern Conference semifinals. COACH: Tom Thibodeau (5th season with Knicks, 13th season overall, 527-389). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 22 at Boston.
OKC Thunder among the NBA title favorites after breakout season netted them the top seed in the West

OKC Thunder among the NBA title favorites after breakout season netted them the top seed in the West

Oklahoma City Thunder Last season: 57-25, lost to Dallas in second round of playoffs. COACH: Mark Daigneault (5th season, 143-175). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 24 at Denver. DEPARTURES: G Josh Giddey, G Lindy Waters III.
Pacers counting on continuity and motivation to make a deeper NBA playoff run this season

Pacers counting on continuity and motivation to make a deeper NBA playoff run this season

Indiana Pacers Last season: 47-35, lost to Boston in Eastern Conference finals. COACH: Rick Carlisle (Ninth season with Pacers, 24th overall, 943-828) SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at Detroit. DEPARTURES: F Jalen Smith, G Doug McDermott.
The Suns hope for more success in Year 2 of Big 3 with a new coach, revamped supporting cast

The Suns hope for more success in Year 2 of Big 3 with a new coach, revamped supporting cast

Phoenix Suns Last season: 49-33, lost to Minnesota in first round of playoffs. COACH: Mike Budenholzer (1st season with Suns, 10th overall 484-317). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at L.A. Clippers.
Bulls enter the NBA season with a different look and a big question about Zach LaVine's future

Bulls enter the NBA season with a different look and a big question about Zach LaVine's future

Chicago Bulls Last season: 39-43, lost to Miami in a play-in game. COACH: Billy Donovan (5th season with Bulls, 10th season overall, 399-319). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at New Orleans.

Raptors leaning heavily on former top rookie Scottie Barnes as they begin rebuilding the roster

Toronto Raptors (H2 headline) Last season: 25-57, missed playoffs. COACH: Darko Rajakovic (2nd season, 25-57). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 vs. Cleveland. DEPARTURES: G Gary Trent Jr., F Jalen McDaniels.
Rebuilding Nets face many challenges with rookie NBA coach, young roster and oft-injured Ben Simmons

Rebuilding Nets face many challenges with rookie NBA coach, young roster and oft-injured Ben Simmons

Brooklyn Nets Last season: 32-50, missed playoffs. COACH: Jordi Fernandez (1st season). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at Atlanta. DEPARTURES: G Mikal Bridges, G Lonnie Walker IV, G Dennis Smith Jr.
Trail Blazers in the second year of their rebuilding project amid a 3-year NBA playoff drought

Trail Blazers in the second year of their rebuilding project amid a 3-year NBA playoff drought

Trail Blazers Last season: 21-61, missed the playoffs for the third straight year. COACH: Chauncey Billups (Fourth season with Portland, 81-165). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at home against the Golden State Warriors. DEPARTURES: G Malcolm Brogdan.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics head into NBA title defense with something to prove

Boston Celtics Last season: 64-18, won NBA championship. COACH: Joe Mazzulla (third season, 121-43) SEASON OPENER: Oct. 22 vs. New York Knicks.

LeBron James returns for 22nd NBA season with Anthony Davis, new Lakers coach JJ Redick

Los Angeles Lakers Last season: 47-35, lost to Denver in first round. COACH: JJ Redick (first season, hired June 20) SEASON OPENER: Oct. 22 vs. Minnesota DEPARTURES: F Taurean Prince, G Spencer Dinwiddie.