5 biggest surprises of the 2017-18 NBA season

The Golden State Warriors figured to reign supreme throughout the 2017-18 NBA season, but a handful of surprises got in the way.

Heading into the 2017-18 NBA season, Round 4 of Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals seemed all but preordained. Even though the Cavs underwent a significant offseason overhaul and the new-look Boston Celtics appeared poised to challenge them for Eastern Conference supremacy, betting against LeBron James once the playoffs roll around is a fool’s errand.

We may still be treated to yet another Warriors-Cavaliers grudge match in this year’s Finals, but it’s far less of a lock than anyone would have imagined six months ago. Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry is nursing a Grade 2 MCL sprain that figures to sideline him through the first round of the playoffs (if not longer), while Cleveland is the biggest wild card on either side of the playoff bracket.

Cleveland’s constant roster churn and the Warriors’ vulnerability weren’t the only two major surprises of the 2017-18 NBA season, however. Between a handful of trade-deadline shakeups and one contender radically transforming its offense, the NBA has kept fans on edge for much of the year.

What will we remember as the biggest surprises from this season? Let’s take a look.

Next: 5. The Raptors' rejiggered offense