Opening night is almost here. Contenders are taking stock, evaluating their rosters from top to bottom. Even the smallest changes — a new role for a key piece, the addition of a player, or the health of a veteran — could swing the pendulum between a season brimming with championship promise and a slow slide toward an inevitable early exit. For some, these factors will define the season.
Here are seven players who could alter the title odds by pushing a favorite over the top or turning an underdog into a real threat:
1. Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota’s decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns to New York isn’t just because of what Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a protected first bring in return.