The 2020-21 season's start date spells a short turnaround for every team that competed in the bubble, but it also means the eight clubs that didn't head to Orlando will finally compete again after a nine-month layoff.
Here's a status check on what those eight franchises have been up to.
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young's electric sophomore year cemented him as the Hawks' franchise star, so the team set out to surround him with complementary backcourt pieces such as Rajon Rondo and Kris Dunn. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari are both 3-point threats who should also provide extra playmaking and size, respectively. Drafting former USC star big man Onyeka Okongwu gives the club another two-way frontcourt talent alongside John Collins and Clint Capela.
Atlanta's biggest loss from last season is arguably Vince Carter, who retired after 22 campaigns. However, the new-look Hawks should still be well-equipped enough to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Young is still the focal point of the franchise despite the roster overhaul and he, too, has been busy embracing his stardom this offseason. The 22-year-old will develop his own shoe line with Adidas in 2021, he announced Wednesday.
Charlotte Hornets
Plenty of eyes will be on the Hornets thanks to a couple of intriguing offseason moves. LaMelo Ball was rated the best prospect on several draft boards, but the touted point guard fell to Charlotte at No. 3, giving the roster an interesting young backcourt trio in Ball, Terry Rozier, and Devonte' Graham. They also upgraded at center, taking Duke product Vernon Carey Jr. early in the second round.
And yet, with all the hubbub surrounding Ball, he might not have been Charlotte's most notable addition. That honor arguably falls to Gordon Hayward, who signed a four-year, $120 million contract that shocked the league. The move may have been years in the making - team owner Michael Jordan attempted to bring Hayward to Charlotte years ago. Jordan even waived and stretched Nicolas Batum's $27-million salary to make the deal possible this time around.
Hayward's deal may be questionable, but there's no denying the Hornets are a better squad than they were last year.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have made a few minor roster moves, like signing free-agent vet Garrett Temple, bringing back swingman Denzel Valentine, and letting Dunn walk, but the most impactful changes are in the front office and behind the bench.
A month after the season was suspended, Chicago fired longtime general manager Gar Forman and reassigned former vice president John Paxson into an adviser role. The team later replaced them with Marc Eversley and Arturas Karnisovas, respectively, with the latter acclaimed for his recent stint with the Denver Nuggets. The Bulls also dismissed head coach Jim Boylen, replacing him with former Oklahoma City Thunder bench boss Billy Donovan.
Chicago also made a bit of noise at the draft, selecting Patrick Williams at No. 4. The pick was a bit of a surprise, but the Nuggets' impressive draft history during Karnisovas' stint suggests he's earned the benefit of the doubt.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers' biggest change to date has been Tristan Thompson's departure in free agency, with Thompson moving on to the Boston Celtics after nine years in Cleveland. The team did add another big man afterward, landing JaVale McGee in a move that helped the Los Angeles Lakers sign Marc Gasol.
But aside from McGee effectively replacing Thompson, the Cavs don't look much different. Drafting Auburn's standout wing Isaac Okoro at No. 5 looks to be an excellent decision, but Cleveland still appears years away from becoming a perennial playoff threat again.
Curiously, the club still employs both Kevin Love and Andre Drummond, suggesting either there were no offseason trade offers worth taking for either of the two bigs or the Cavaliers genuinely believe both have a role to play on the roster this coming year. Regardless, Drummond's expiring $28.8 million salary for 2020-21 could potentially be an interesting chip at this season's trade deadline.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons almost immediately agreed to deals with centers Mason Plumlee and Jahlil Okafor to open free agency but then sent forward Christian Wood, who averaged 22.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in his final 15 games last season, to the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade. Wayne Ellington, Josh Jackson, and even LiAngelo Ball were just a few of the team's other free-agent signings, while Jerami Grant figures to be an underrated pickup.
Detroit was plenty active on draft night, too. The team took Killian Hayes - a French-American point guard out of Germany - at No. 7 but also traded for the rights to Isaiah Stewart (No. 16), Saddiq Bey (No. 19), and Saben Lee (No. 38). The organization also landed Delon Wright and Dzanan Musa in separate multi-team swaps.
But like the Cavaliers, the Pistons' roster is more notable for who's still there rather than who isn't. Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose remain on the squad for another campaign despite the franchise's apparent change in direction.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors didn't get a bubble invite thanks to a miserable season plagued with injuries to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, as well as Klay Thompson sitting out entirely to rehab a torn ACL. The club's misfortune finally looked to be subsiding in August when the draft lottery awarded them the No. 2 pick and Thompson returned to full practice a month later.
Unfortunately, Golden State was dealt a massive blow with the news that an Achilles injury will keep Thompson out again for 2020-21. However, the club is well-equipped for next season after drafting star center James Wiseman and trading for Kelly Oubre to fill in for Thompson. Kent Bazemore and Brad Wanamaker were also astute depth additions, with the latter expected to back up Curry at point guard.
Minnesota Timberwolves
It felt like the Timberwolves finally accomplished a longtime goal when they paired D'Angelo Russell with Karl-Anthony Towns in February. However, Towns suffered a wrist injury in the one game the duo played together that ruled him out for the rest of the shortened regular season. But fans aren't just curious to see how the two fare together, they're also now eagerly awaiting Anthony Edwards' debut - the dynamic No. 1 pick who should slot in nicely alongside Russell and Towns.
Minnesota also acquired 28th overall pick Jaden McDaniels, retained Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez, and added frontcourt veteran Ed Davis, but the franchise did not limit its offseason changes to the on-court product. The T-Wolves reportedly parted ways with general manager Scott Layden after four years and made numerous front-office additions - most notably Rudy Tomjanovich, the 2020 Hall of Fame joining the organization as a player personnel consultant.
New York Knicks
The Knicks didn't land a marquee free agent despite clearing up a ton of cap space and their reported interest in both Hayward and Fred VanVleet. However, with an eye on 2021's loaded class, they still kept their books light with minor, experienced additions like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Nerlens Noel, and re-signing Elfrid Payton.
While president Leon Rose kept the team uncharacteristically quiet in free agency, the franchise likely couldn't have asked for a better outcome at the draft. Explosive forward and New York native Obi Toppin fell into their laps at No. 8 before they also secured the draft rights to guard Immanuel Quickley at No. 20.
The Knicks likely won't be postseason hopefuls anytime soon, but new head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was hired in July, will have a solid, young foundation to work with this season.
