After blockbuster trades, an exciting draft, and plenty of build-ups, the NBA is finally back. Before every season, chatter always abounds, with fans and talking heads looking ahead at 2024/25. Whether it’s surprise packages, MVP buzz, or which team is likely to win the coveted title, here’s what to watch out for in the new season.
MVP: Luka Dončić
Last year, Luka Dončić led his Dallas Mavericks to a place in the NBA Finals, alongside some incredible numbers. During the regular season, he almost put up a triple-double: 33.9 points, 9.2 boards, and 9.8 assists.
It wasn’t enough. But this season, it’s Luka’s year. When you look at any of the leading bookmakers covering the NBA, he’s the top choice. Shai and Jokic round the top 3, with players like Giannis and Anthony Edwards at far longer odds.
It makes sense, the NBA was probably feeling a little guilty about passing up on the Joker during his title-winning season. But this year, the narrative is finally lining up for Luka. And in the NBA, that’s an important factor in MVP voting.
First, Luka’s run to the Finals was near-legendary, carrying the team on his back through most of the postseason. Media members will have that in mind as the season starts. He’s also been outstanding for the past few seasons as a whole, his sheer talent is undeniable, and some feel he should have won MVP last season.
Even if he doesn’t have his best-ever season in 24/25, he may benefit from what he’s already achieved. Of course, the Mavericks will probably have to grab at least a fifth seed in the West, which will not be an easy task.
New Superstar: Alperen Şengün
He’s just signed a 5-year, $185 million extension with the Rockets and for many, it’s a bargain price. Last season, he had a breakout year, averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 boards, and dished out 5 assists per game. He also added 1.2 steals per game.
He was pipped to the Most Improved Player Award by Tyrese Maxey, but this year will likely see Şengün becoming a star in his own right. His style has been compared to Jokic, with excellent court vision and advanced stats that put him near the top of the NBA.
Washed Up: Klay Thompson
It hurts to type this, but Klay Thompson isn’t just past his prime, he’s washed up. Listen, he can still put up a solid stat line. If you just look at the numbers, last season was not terrible.
However, the advanced metrics are not quite so kind. Plus, he’s just failing the eye test. He didn’t show up when the Warriors needed him, and Steph wasn’t able to carry the team on his own.
The Mavs pushed to add him as a third superstar to complement Kyrie and Luka, but it’s just too late. The man who used to light up the court as part of the Splash Brothers is no more. The way he left the Warriors wasn’t pretty, but the team had to move on.
Eastern Conference Prediction: Boston Celtics
You don’t have to be an expert NBA analyst to come up with the winner of the Eastern Conference, with the Boston Celtics the clear favorites across the board.
The team is the deepest in the NBA, with the Porzingis trade making them downright scary. They don’t even need the injury-prone star to play most of the games, as long as he’s there for the playoffs.
Tatum isn’t quite an all-time superstar, but the Celtics don’t need him to be. He’s still a first-team All-NBA player. If he doesn’t show up one night, they still have Jaylen Brown. The number of weapons Boston has in its roster is just unmatched.
Western Conference Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder
For many, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should have won the MVP ahead of Jokic and Luka. What’s undisputed is that he is a legit superstar for OKC. He’s not a stat padder and he performs in the clutch, as was evident during last year’s playoffs.
They were unlucky not to beat the Mavericks, their lack of experience was perhaps one of the stumbling blocks. OKC would have been a favorite even without making any moves, but they’ve had a stellar offseason.
They traded Josh Giddey, a starter who was benched during the playoffs, for Alex Caruso. He’s a defensive stalwart, someone who does the little things that help teams looking for that final piece of the puzzle. For many, he’s the best role player in the NBA.
OKC also signed Isaiah Hartenstein as a free agent. The surprise package of the Knicks last season, he will bring a lot of energy, hustle, and floor presence.
With these moves, OKC has built on its excellent core and added role players that will supplement a team already built for success. These are the roster moves that win championships.
Still, our final prediction is this: OKC will not have enough to deal with the Celtics. They have the title credentials, the experience, and the roster is deep; we expect them to win back-to-back titles.
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