It’s late October, which suggests significant NBA video games are again! It’s been 4 months because the Boston Celtics accomplished a dominant 2023-24 season with a file 18th championship. Now, the 2024-25 season is right here, starting with a traditional matchup between these Celtics and the resurgent New York Knicks.
We’ve had 133 days to ponder the questions that can outline this chapter in hoops historical past. Can Boston change into the primary workforce to repeat as champions because the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors? Have the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers leveled up sufficient within the offseason to dethrone their outdated rivals?
And what of the loaded Western Convention? Will this season be a coronation for the younger Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who shocked many in incomes the West’s No. 1 seed final season? Is Dallas’ addition of Klay Thompson sufficient to push final season’s shock finalist excessive? What about different contenders like Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves, Nikola Jokić’s Denver Nuggets, Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies or Zion Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans? And after main Crew USA to a memorable gold medal in Paris, can LeBron James, Stephen Curry and/or Kevin Durant flip again the clock yet another time to revive the Los Angeles Lakers, Warriors and Phoenix Suns?
Listed here are The Athletic’s highlights from the NBA offseason and preseason, together with predictions, previews, deep dives and a lot extra. Contemplate it a cheat sheet to arrange for the NBA’s return.
What occurred this summer season?
Get able to study “second apron,” buddy
The NBA’s new collective bargaining settlement introduced in a sequence of punitive salary-cap restrictions designed to curb spending, guarantee a extra even monetary taking part in subject and redistribute expertise throughout the league. Essentially the most (in)well-known is called the “second apron.” Technically, it refers to a workforce wage threshold, set about $18 million over the luxurious tax line, that brings vital monetary penalties and roster-building restrictions to any workforce that exceeds it. Merely put, most groups are treating it as a de facto onerous cap they can not exceed at any level — even when it requires shedding proficient gamers for monetary causes.
The worry of the second apron and different prohibitive salary-cap penalties loomed in almost each key offseason transfer, from the LA Clippers’ determination to maneuver on from a nine-time All-Star to the Timberwolves buying and selling a four-time All-Star and one-time face of the franchise after arguably probably the most profitable season in franchise historical past.
The possible impact of the brand new CBA? Parity, and many it. In a five-part sequence, The Athletic explored the situations resulting in a extra degree taking part in subject than at any level in league historical past.
Paul George switches coasts
After 5 uneven years as Kawhi Leonard’s working mate in his hometown Los Angeles, George’s Clippers tenure is over. The Clippers grew fearful of the monetary implications of paying the 34-year-old George a max contract, permitting the Philadelphia 76ers to swoop in and declare free company’s greatest prize. George now joins Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in an enormous three which will lastly be the one to carry a championship again to Broad Avenue.
Splash Brothers cut up
It appeared not possible to think about Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson ever donning one other uniform. However after a tough season and a sometimes-bitter contract dispute, Thompson opted to go away the Warriors and signal with the Dallas Mavericks. Whereas Thompson hopes to make use of his taking pictures contact to place the Mavericks excessive after final season’s NBA Finals run, Curry and Draymond Inexperienced are left to shepherd a Warriors workforce in transition.
Bing bong, New York is again
What’s the alternative of resting in your laurels? It’s what the Knicks did this summer season after inspiring their rabid fan base with the longest playoff run in almost 25 years. Blockbuster trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities, together with a below-market extension for rising New York hero Jalen Brunson, has the Knicks considering title for the primary time because the halcyon days of Patrick Ewing.
Like father, like son
In a 2022 interview with The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, LeBron James vowed to at some point play along with his oldest son. That dream turned actuality on June 28 when the Lakers used the No. 55 decide within the draft to pick Bronny James. Quickly, father and son will make historical past throughout American workforce sports activities and share the court docket in a regular-season sport.
John Hollinger’s previews and predictions
The Athletic’s front-office insider has spent greater than twenty years previewing NBA seasons, courting again to the unique “Professional Basketball Prospectus” launch in 2002. Right here’s how he initiatives every workforce to complete within the common season.
First, his detailed evaluation: East high 8 | East backside 7 | West high 8 | West backside 7
Jap Convention
1. Boston Celtics: 62-20
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: 56-26
3. New York Knicks: 51-31
4. Philadelphia 76ers: 50-32
5. Orlando Magic: 47-35
6. Milwaukee Bucks: 46-36
7. Indiana Pacers: 44-38
8. Miami Warmth: 42-40
9. Atlanta Hawks: 39-43
10. Toronto Raptors: 32-50
11. Detroit Pistons: 28-54
12. Chicago Bulls: 27-55
13. Charlotte Hornets: 23-59
14. Brooklyn Nets: 21-61
15. Washington Wizards: 14-68
Western Convention
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder: 61-21
2. Phoenix Suns: 52-30
T-3. Dallas Mavericks: 51-31
T-3. Minnesota Timberwolves: 51-31
5. Denver Nuggets: 49-33
6. New Orleans Pelicans: 47-35
7. Golden State Warriors: 46-36
8. Los Angeles Lakers: 45-37
9. Sacramento Kings: 44-38
10. Houston Rockets: 43-39
11. Memphis Grizzlies: 40-42
12. San Antonio Spurs: 37-45
13. LA Clippers: 36-46
14. Utah Jazz: 26-56
15. Portland Path Blazers: 20-62
Let’s make some picks
Over at The Bounce, The Athletic’s free every day NBA publication, Zach Harper has been delivering bite-sized capsules and over/beneath picks for every of the 30 NBA groups. Listed here are his picks, so as of highest to lowest over/beneath.
Not signed up for The Bounce? Get your every day dose of The Athletic in your e-mail.
(All odds equipped by BetMGM.)
Boston Celtics — 58.5: Straightforward OVER
Crew savior: Jaylen Brown, the NBA Finals MVP
The issue: Complacency and parity.
The query: Ought to we be anxious about Kristaps Porziņģis’ well being?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Joe Mazzulla wins Coach of the 12 months after 65 wins.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder — 57.5: Straightforward OVER
Crew savior: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, clutch killer
The issue: Expertise? This workforce is loaded.
The query: Is that this workforce capable of recreate what Boston did final season?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: The Thunder make the NBA Finals.
New York Knicks — 54.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Karl-Anthony Cities, franchise massive man
The issue: Well being and inside protection
The query: Do the Knicks have sufficient firepower to win the East?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: KAT makes All-NBA Third Crew for the third time in his profession.
Minnesota Timberwolves — 52.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Anthony Edwards, ascending star
The issue: Buying and selling KAT for Julius Randle
The query: Is Julius Randle going to suit into Edwards’ offense?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Randle will get moved earlier than the commerce deadline.
Denver Nuggets — 51.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Nikola Jokić, cleans up messes
The issue: Depth to interchange Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
The query: Is Jamal Murray going to play just like the second star they want?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Christian Braun finishes high three in Most Improved Participant.
Milwaukee Bucks — 50.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Damian Lillard, revenge tour
The issue: Khris Middleton isn’t wholesome.
The query: Can Doc Rivers unlock the Giannis Antetokounmpo-Damian Lillard duo?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Giannis and Dame each common 30 factors per sport.
Philadelphia 76ers — 50.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Paul George, Swiss Military knife
The issue: Getting Joel Embiid wholesome to the playoffs.
The query: Are the Sixers going to change into an elite offense with their massive three?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Embiid, PG and Tyrese Maxey mix for 85 factors per sport.
Dallas Mavericks — 49.5: Straightforward OVER
Crew savior: Luka Dončić, the franchise
The issue: Discovering the proper stability of offense and protection.
The query: Was the protection late final season a fluke, or can they be elite for a complete yr?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Klay Thompson shoots career-best 45 p.c from 3 or higher.
Cleveland Cavaliers — 48.5: OVER
Crew savior: Evan Mobley, franchise massive man
The issue: Duplicative facilities and lead guards
The query: Will Jarrett Allen and/or Darius Garland be moved?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: The Cavs earn the No. 7 seed from the Play-In Match.
Phoenix Suns — 47.5: Straightforward OVER
Crew savior: Mike Budenholzer, system coach
The issue: Staying wholesome sufficient for continuity.
The query: Did Tyus Jones because the PG repair their points?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Suns end with a top-two offense (ninth final season).
Orlando Magic — 47.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, glue man
The issue: They’ll’t shoot or rating.
The query: Can KCP present sufficient veteran management to make the leap?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Franz Wagner shoots over 38 p.c from 3-point vary.
Memphis Grizzlies — 47.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Ja Morant, unquestionably
The issue: Exterior taking pictures, depth
The query: Will the Grizzlies stay wholesome sufficient to compete for the highest six?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Zach Edey begins 75 video games and averages a double-double.
New Orleans Pelicans — 46.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Zion Williamson, destroyer of worlds
The issue: Lack of inside depth.
The query: Will this workforce commerce their abundance of perimeter guys for an enormous man?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Williamson performs 75 video games and makes All-NBA Second Crew.
Indiana Pacers — 46.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Tyrese Haliburton, All-NBA guard
The issue: This workforce doesn’t play protection.
The query: Was their convention finals look a fluke?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Pascal Siakam averages a career-high 25.0 factors per sport.
Sacramento Kings — 46.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: DeMar DeRozan, third man
The issue: Their protection hasn’t been reliable.
The query: Does DeRozan get them again into the highest six within the West?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: They earn the No. 7 seed within the Play-In Match.
Miami Warmth — 44.5: OVER
Crew savior: Jimmy Butler, the workforce engine
The issue: Lack of depth, firepower
The query: Does contract yr Jimmy lead a Warmth resurgence?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Bam Adebayo makes 100 3-pointers. He has 23 for his profession.
Golden State Warriors — 43.5: Straightforward OVER
Crew savior: Stephen Curry, drawback solver
The issue: They don’t have a second possibility on offense.
The query: Do the Warriors have sufficient to make a commerce for a star?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Curry leads the league in scoring.
Los Angeles Lakers — 43.5: Straightforward OVER
Crew savior: JJ Redick, potential offensive guru
The issue: Neither ok on offense or protection.
The query: Will Redick revamp the offense to make them high six within the West?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: They commerce D’Angelo Russell earlier than the deadline.
Houston Rockets — 43.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Alperen Şengün, center administration Jokić
The issue: Producing sufficient environment friendly offense.
The query: Which Jalen Inexperienced will this workforce get this season?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Find yourself within the Play-In Match however contend for high six till April.
LA Clippers — Off the Board
Crew savior: James Harden, Houston version
The issue: Kawhi Leonard isn’t wholesome once more.
The query: Can their depth cowl on nights with out Leonard?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: The Clippers miss out on the Play-In Match.
Atlanta Hawks — 36.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Trae Younger, franchise level guard
The issue: They’ll’t get out of their very own approach.
The query: Are the Hawks lastly ready to progress?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶
Daring prediction: They make a nasty commerce earlier than the deadline.
San Antonio Spurs — 35.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Chris Paul, to run the present
The issue: Having sufficient expertise to win shut video games.
The query: Is Victor Wembanyama already ok to flirt with 40 wins?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Wemby averages 25 factors, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks and 5 assists.
Charlotte Hornets — 30.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Charles Lee
The issue: This workforce doesn’t know the way to win.
The query: Will LaMelo Ball keep wholesome to steer them?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Ball, Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller every common 20 factors per sport.
Toronto Raptors — 29.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Scottie Barnes, designated franchise man
The issue: This workforce isn’t good on offense or protection.
The query: Will the Raptors commit to a different tank with this draft class?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🔥
Daring prediction: Immanuel Quickley averages 20 factors and eight assists per sport.
Utah Jazz — 28.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Lauri Markkanen, No. 1(?) possibility
The issue: They don’t know when to tank.
The query: Will they tank early to keep away from lacking out on the 2025 draft stars?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Cody Williams wins Rookie of the 12 months.
Chicago Bulls — 27.5: Slight UNDER
Crew savior: Matas Buzelis, lottery decide
The issue: Too good to be unhealthy, too unhealthy to be good
The query: Can they unload Nikola Vučević and Zach LaVine to tear it down?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🔥🔥🔥
Daring prediction: Lonzo Ball performs in 65 video games.
Detroit Pistons — 25.5: Slight OVER
Crew savior: Cade Cunningham, franchise man
The issue: They don’t have nice veterans to assist youth.
The query: Can J.B. Bickerstaff coach them to keep away from double-digit shedding streaks?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: They purchase a key veteran to assist Cunningham earlier than the deadline.
Portland Path Blazers — 21.5: Straightforward UNDER
Crew savior: Anfernee Simons, bucket-getter
The issue: Protecting the younger guys on the ground to develop.
The query: Will Scoot Henderson present us the products this season?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🔥🔥
Daring prediction: Henderson averages 16 factors and 7 assists whereas taking part in 70 video games.
Washington Wizards — 20.5: Straightforward UNDER
Crew savior: Alex Sarr, franchise massive man(?)
The issue: Constantly have an unfocused workforce tradition.
The query: Are we going to get a Jordan Poole who cares?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Poole finishes high 5 in scoring. I’ll die on this hill.
Brooklyn Nets — 19.5: Straightforward UNDER
Crew savior: Cam Thomas, bucket-getter
The issue: They are going to be robust to look at.
The query: Will they commerce Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith?
Coach scorching seat meter: 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
Daring prediction: Ben Simmons is again! What does that imply? I don’t know.
5 different tales it’s essential to learn
• Is that this the yr we lastly get a wholesome, absolutely unleashed Zion Williamson? Will Guillory goes inside Zion’s offseason to know why this summer season seems to be a turning level in his quest for vengeance.
• Victor Wembanyama took the NBA by storm as a rookie. What can we count on from the 7-foot-4 Spurs sensation in 12 months 2? Use your creativeness, writes Doug Haller.
• Cooper Flagg is the prize of this upcoming draft class, however what about the remainder of the category? Sam Vecenie introduces you to the opposite prospects lottery groups will need to watch.
• Barring a last-minute reversal, this would be the final season of TNT’s iconic “Contained in the NBA” present. David Aldridge, who spent years as a TNT broadcaster and reporter, pays tribute to the top of an establishment.
• Is there something we will take away from the preseason? Will Guillory, Fred Katz and Josh Robbins paid consideration so that you wouldn’t should.
And at last …
Need to sustain with every evening of NBA motion. Take a look at “The Every day,” our new podcast that includes Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, Esfandiar Baraheni and common appearances by your favourite writers at The Athletic. New episodes might be launched at 6 a.m. ET from Monday to Saturday. Listeners can tune in on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever they get their podcasts.
(High picture of Luka Dončić and Jayson Tatum: Adam Glanzman / Getty Photographs)
