The 2019-20 NBA season was a wild ride due to the NBA Shutdown and bubble in Orlando, but in the end, it was a very successful season that set up some major storylines for the 2020-21 NBA season.

The Los Angeles Lakers are the defending champions and this offseason, they did everything they could to improve their roster. They added Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol and reigning Sixth-Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell, solidifying themselves as the favorites to win back-to-back titles.

However, the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics are also all championship contenders this season and all made some big moves this offseason to challenge the defending champs.

Not only did Giannis Antetokounmpo commit to staying with the Bucks long-term, signing the biggest contract in NBA history to remain in Milwaukee, but they added Jrue Holiday to their roster in attempts to finally break through and contend for a title. The Clippers still have both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and also added Serge Ibaka, who helped win the Raptors first title in franchise history with Kawhi in 2019. 

Philadelphia and Boston will once again be legit contenders in the Eastern Conference with their young cores, but the Brooklyn Nets have the best shot out of any other team to dethrone the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are both finally healthy and ready to take over the NBA and with one of the deepest rosters in the league, the Brooklyn Nets will be one of the best teams in the league all season long. 

While all of these teams are the heavy favorites to win the 2021 NBA Finals, there are some dark horse teams out there who could break through and have a legit shot at winning a championship this year.

With that being said, let’s take a look at 5 dark horse contenders to watch during the 2020-21 NBA season.