A Complete Guide to Every NBA Team Roster for the 2021 Season

As I sat down to analyze the 2021 NBA season rosters, I couldn't help but draw parallels between basketball team construction and other sports organizations. Just last week, I was reading about how former world champion Roberto Cruz is heading a delegation with coaches Paul Romero and former Asian champion Kirstie Elaine Alora - that's exactly the kind of championship pedigree NBA teams are chasing when building their rosters. The 2021 season presented unique challenges with COVID-19 protocols and condensed schedules, making roster depth more crucial than ever before.

Looking at the Lakers' roster construction, they maintained their veteran core while adding some fascinating pieces. LeBron James entering his 19th season at age 36 still looked dominant, averaging 25 points per game in the previous season. Anthony Davis, when healthy, remains one of the league's most complete two-way players. What impressed me most was their addition of Russell Westbrook - though I have my doubts about his fit alongside LeBron, his triple-double capability adds another dimension to their offense. The supporting cast including Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard gave them what I'd call the most experienced roster in the league, with combined career points exceeding 80,000 points among their veterans.

The Brooklyn Nets presented the most intriguing offensive juggernaut I've seen in years. Kevin Durant coming off that Achilles injury looked like he hadn't missed a step, which frankly astonished me. Pairing him with James Harden and Kyrie Irving created what analytics showed was the most efficient offensive trio in NBA history. Their 118.3 offensive rating when all three shared the court was simply ridiculous. Though their defense worried me throughout the season, their offensive firepower made them must-watch television every night.

Out West, the Golden State Warriors' roster told a story of resurgence. Stephen Curry winning the scoring title with 32 points per game was something I predicted would happen once Klay Thompson suffered another season-ending injury. The development of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins becoming a reliable second option showed me this team had more depth than people anticipated. Draymond Green's defensive leadership, in my view, remained among the top three in the league despite his offensive limitations.

What surprised me most was the Phoenix Suns' continuity. Keeping nearly their entire roster from the Finals run showed tremendous confidence in their core. Chris Paul, even at 36, demonstrated why he's still worth every penny of that contract. Devin Booker's maturation into a complete scorer and the emergence of Deandre Ayton as a defensive anchor made them, in my estimation, the most well-constructed roster in the league. Their 51-21 record before the All-Star break wasn't a fluke - it was the result of perfect roster construction.

The Milwaukee Bucks taught us all a lesson in patience and continuity. Keeping their championship core intact while adding complementary pieces like Grayson Allen showed their understanding of what works. Giannis Antetokounmpo somehow improved his free throw shooting to 72% while maintaining his dominant inside presence. What impressed me was how Jrue Holiday seamlessly fit into their system, providing the perimeter defense they desperately needed during their championship run.

As I reflect on all 30 teams, the successful rosters shared common traits - they balanced star power with reliable role players, maintained financial flexibility, and built cultures that attracted veteran minimum players who could contribute. The 2021 season proved that while superstar talent drives championships, the 8th through 12th men on the roster often determine how deep a team can go in the playoffs. Just like in that delegation led by Roberto Cruz, having the right leadership and coaching structure makes all the difference between a good team and a great one.