As the 2020-2021 NBA season drags on, more and more fans are turning their attention to the league’s standings. The standings can provide a great gauge of where each team is in the overall pecking order and are essential in understanding the likelihood of a team making the playoffs. However, the standings go further than just that as they can provide valuable insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each team, allowing fans to not only know where their team stands in relation to the rest of the league, but also providing numerous predictions and possibilities.

One of the most valuable aspects the standings offer is allowing teams to identify which areas of their team need improvement. For teams on top of the standings, they can assess which current players and strategies need to be maintained to keep them performing at a high level. For teams at the bottom, analyzing the standings can identify which functions of their team need to be strengthened while also evaluating the performance of individual players and coaches. This valuable insight can be a major key for improving a team’s game in the future.

Another great advantage the standings can offer teams is opportunities for potential trades along with the ability to accurately assess a player’s worth. Determining a player’s role on a team, as well as how that will affect the team’s players overall, can go a long way in formulating a promising trade package. This can, in turn, assist teams in closing more fruitful deals and finding more valuable players for their team.

The final great benefit the standings provide teams’ front offices is the assistance of scouting potential draft picks. Seeing how other teams are doing and how their lineups are structured can give insight into the type of assets a team should target for the upcoming draft. This can help the front office to target exactly who they believe has the potential to succeed at the pro level and create an ideal combination of skills and fit for their team.

Overall, the NBA standings represent much more than just the order of the best teams. It can provide a great window into the strengths and weaknesses of each team allowing coaches and staff to make informed decisions regarding players and strategies. Additionally, it can provide valuable insight into trade options, pinpoint areas of need, and provide guidance for future draft picks. Ultimately, the standings are an incredibly useful and helpful tool in the world of basketball.