The excitement of the 2024-25 NBA season is palpable, with teams across the league gearing up for another fiercely competitive year. Among the frontrunners, the Boston Celtics are projected to dominate the regular season, with a win total set at an ambitious 58.5 games. This comes on the heels of an impressive 64-win season, marking the first time since 2009 that the Celtics have surpassed the 58.5-win mark.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are also expected to make significant strides, with a projected win total of 55.5 for the new season. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets face a steep climb as the team with the lowest win total projection, undergoing a major rebuild following the trade of Mikal Bridges. On the other end of the spectrum, the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards are anticipated to struggle, with win projections of 21.5 and 22.5, respectively.
Cleveland Cavaliers: New Era Under Kenny Atkinson
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ journey into the new season is marked by change and hope. Last season, the Cavaliers secured 48 wins despite their star quintet – Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen – having limited on-court time together. The arrival of Kenny Atkinson as head coach signals a new direction for the team. Atkinson, known for his player development skills, will aim to bring cohesion and consistency to this talented roster.
Coaching Changes and New Additions
Coaching changes have been a considerable theme across the league. The Phoenix Suns, who clinched 49 wins last season, have ushered in a new era with Mike Budenholzer taking over from Frank Vogel. The Detroit Pistons, who finished with the league’s worst record, have also revamped their leadership with J.B. Bickerstaff stepping in for Monty Williams. The Pistons boast a promising young core in Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Jaden Ivey, and Bickerstaff's optimism is evident as he commented, "The only way to go is up and Detroit has a promising young core in Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey that should excite bettors."
The Pistons have also been active in the offseason market, adding veteran players Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, and Paul Reed to their roster. These additions are aimed at providing the young core with the necessary support and experience to navigate the challenges ahead.
Lakers' Health and New Leadership
The Los Angeles Lakers, who managed 47 wins last season, remain a team of intrigue and high expectations. LeBron James and Anthony Davis had relatively healthy seasons, playing 71 and 76 games respectively. However, an NBA analyst posed a critical question for the upcoming season: "The question for this year is whether the Lakers can count on both James and Davis to stay healthy in 2024-25." This concern is central to the Lakers' success, as their fortunes heavily depend on the availability and performance of their star duo.
The Lakers have made notable changes off the court as well, with J.J. Reddick taking the reins as the head coach. The team has infused new blood into their lineup, drafting promising rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, aiming to inject youth and energy into their ranks.
Changes in the Clippers and Bucks
Across town, the Los Angeles Clippers are facing a period of transition. Having secured 51 wins last season, they saw Paul George traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason. Additionally, the Clippers had to navigate the final stretch of the previous season without Kawhi Leonard, who missed the last eight games.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks, who also recorded 49 wins last season, are focused on shoring up their defense, which ranked 19th in the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo, entering his age-30 season, remains the cornerstone of the Bucks' ambitions. The team has added rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith from the 2024 NBA Draft to bolster their lineup. Despite these additions, the Bucks are seen as trailing the Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and New York Knicks in the race to top the Eastern Conference.
As another NBA season approaches, anticipation builds with every roster change, coaching shift, and rookie debut. The stage is set for what promises to be a captivating year of basketball, filled with the ebb and flow of triumphs and trials on the courts across the league.