NBA preview: The Simmons saga, Lowry’s challenge ... storylines to watch

BIG MOVES AHEAD

John Wall and the Houston Rockets are both looking for trade possibilities, Ben Simmons is in Philadelphia but who knows for how long and Kyrie Irving is in anti-vaccination limbo in Brooklyn. That’s three very, very good players who might tip the balance of league power if — or when — they find new homes.

THIS YEAR’S SUNS

You would have gotten some long odds by suggesting at the start of last season that the Phoenix Suns would represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals but they did. Who now? The Utah Jazz? Atlanta Hawks? Boston Celtics? The Los Angeles Clippers? Some team is likely to pop up out of nowhere, but which one?

HEAT’S ON CHAMPS

Milwaukee was full measure for the championship run last spring, Mike Budenholzer, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday silenced all questioners. But it’s one thing to win a title, it’s an entirely different one to defend it and Bucks will be in the bull’seye of every team they play. Can they handle it?

THE WARRIORS QUESTION

Golden State dominated the league in an incredible run of five straight NBA Finals appearances. They have fallen on hard times the past two years, mainly due to injuries, but they’ve got Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. They will get Klay Thompson back and Steve Kerr is still the coach. Revenge is on their mind. They will be factors.

GOING ALL IN

The Miami Heat are not waiting for the future. They added some grizzled old veterans in Kyle Lowry, 35; Markieff Morris, 32, and P.J. Tucker, at 36 the oldest of them all. It’s a gamble but if the Heat can stay healthy, they should be a force when the playoffs come around; that’s one time-worn group.