The 2021 NBA Season was filled with history-making moments, from Steph Curry’s 62-point comeback against the Blazers to the Buck’s miraculous win at the finals.
Since then, the NBA hasn’t stopped moving. A successful 2021 NBA Draft was capped off last week, with elite rookie picks such as Cade Cunningham for the Pistons and Evan Mobley for the Cavaliers.
Draft is Over…Enter Free Agents
While the draft, alone, is incredibly exciting, its end marks the beginning of NBA free agency. Free agents are seasoned NBA players who have the liberty to shop contracts outside of their original team.
It is at this time in the season when we tend to see athletes jumping ship for better benefits. The Free Agency Moratorium extends from August 2nd to August 6th. During this period, teams are free to negotiate with players and their management.
Although free agent announcements have already taken over the front page of the Internet, it is important to remember that athletes cannot officially sign contracts until after August 6th.
Until that date, any agreements made between teams and players are not set in stone. Athletes and teams alike are free to back out of any agreement made before the 6th.
Big Decisions
Nonetheless, teams and players have been quick to announce their decisions online. Many of those picks that have already been released are contract extensions within the same team.
Blake Griffin has decided to stay with the Brooklyn Nets for another year and Trae Young has agreed to a 5-year contract extension. But most of the online attention seems to be directed towards the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers are in the process of recruiting and welcoming a handful of A-list players from their previous rosters. This includes the likes of Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, and Kent Bazemore.
This news is HUGE. In light of the information, many on Twitter are calling referring to the Lakers as the NBA’s “retirement home.” But the discourse is loving, as many are excited to see this team of all-stars reunite under one team.
Lakers are like the retirement home of the NBA😹😹😹😹
— 🔥Warriors SZN🔥temp Slovenia fan (@JohnEdw58210724) August 2, 2021
The 2022 season will begin on October 19, 2021, and will run through April. Even though it seems like the 2021 season just ended, the NBA is looking forward to getting back on a regular, pre-COVID schedule.
Betting on the NBA
One thing is for sure: this will be an exhilarating season for sportsbooks and bettors alike. Soon enough, major USA sportsbooks will be posting futures for the NBA season.
Futures betting lines are contentious, as they are a higher risk for a higher reward. Even so, the few weeks between now and the start of the season will be a critical period of research for avid sports bettors.
For those unseasoned sports bettors, have no fear. Our website is decked out with all kinds of resources to help you get started.