Before we begin, a confession. This is obviously not my job and I don’t think anyone expects me to go in depth on every single team or situation, but I usually try to at least have something or enough knowledge to make a joke. Well last season is the least amount of basketball I have watched in probably 10 years. Now, the NBA ratings were a big narrative for what felt like half the year and apparently, I was a part of that problem. There were work and life related reasons for me personally but honestly a big one was I simply wasn’t engaged with the regular season. Maybe that insidious “the regular season doesn’t matter” take finally caught me too. Or maybe I just didn’t have the Zach Lowe podcast until the playoffs so didn’t have my favorite NBA mind’s thoughts all year. Of course, my team gracefully taking last season off also could have contributed. I don’t really have a throughline to all this except that more than any other year just keep in mind this is all in fun and I will get some things hilariously wrong. Let’s get into it.
The Oklahoma City Thunder captured their first title in what marks the 7th different franchise in 7 years to win the NBA Championship for the first time in league history. Dynasties are truly dead, long live parity. This is also the second consecutive year that the team that was clearly the best all year won the title, though it was not without some drama along the way. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed the rare trifecta, winning MVP, the scoring title, and Finals MVP, becoming only the 4th player to achieve the feat. Like all championship teams they now have absurd cap hell to look forward to unless they can appease our overlord, the second apron. I think we can pretty safely say that team building has shifted hard away from stacking 3 stars in favor of building absurd depth led by 1 or 2 stars and a lot of very, very high tier role players. What this requires is nailing draft picks for years while making smart free agency acquisitions. Basically, it requires doing what in theory the sport should be promoting and building teams up the “right” way. The full fallout of the second apron has proven there is a “minor” issue that you then have to pay everyone and can’t actually afford to do so or re stock the roster. So, for now, we’re seeing championship windows in the truest sense as teams build these rosters but then will have to reset unless they can continue to get late picks and free agency correct.
The other factor, as always, is injuries and it would be impossible to talk about last season without talking about how it ended and changed the immediate landscape of the league. We saw 3 different Achilles tears in the playoffs last year, all in the Eastern Conference. The Damian Lillard era in Milwaukee came to a painful end. Tatum went down leading to a Boston pseudo tear down. Finally, the Pacers, who put together perhaps the most entertaining playoff run in the last decade, saw their hopes go up in flames as Haliburton went down in game 7 of the NBA finals. That’s not even counting the regular season injuries which somehow included multiple players, most notably Victor Wembanyama, missing much of the season with blood clots.
Oh, and the wildest trade in NBA history happened. Moving on.
We also see a potential new normal of late season coach firings as Taylor Jenkins was fired by the Grizzlies in March. Not to be outdone the Nuggets let championship winning coach Michael Malone go with only 3 games left in the regular season. The annual coaching carousel continued into the offseason as per usual most notably with the Knicks replacing Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown, the Suns firing Budenholzer, and the legendary Gregg Popovich officially retiring.
Boston Celtics
After winning a title the Celtics looked poised to make another run but the injury gods unfortunately did not take pity on them and Jayson Tatum went down with an Achilles injury during the playoffs. This set off a bit of a chain reaction as the Celtics spent the offseason offloading money and will be going into the season without Tatum. All of Jrue, Horford, and Kristaps are gone in addition to losing role players like Luke Kornet and Georges Niang. Tatum is reportedly working hard to potentially return during the season but we shall see. His injury plus the rest of the Celtics changes are a big reason the East is as wide open as it is this year. That’s not to say there’s no reason for hope. Jaylen Brown could star in a solo role, Pritchard and Derrick White are still here, and they added Anfernee Simons who will likely be looking to re-invigorate his career. Any injury or missed time by Brown will send this off the rails quickly though.
Philadelphia 76ers
Let me know if this sounds familiar, Joel Embiid got hurt and the Sixers were basically doomed from there. Honestly it wasn’t just Embiid either as they got hit with bad injuries in general and finished a disappointing 24-58. Look, the East is very hard to predict this year and maybe Paul George will return to form and McCain will come back strong from injury (Update: Already hurt again) and Maxey will continue his all-star level play and that will be enough to make a run with a magically healthy Embiid late in the year. Their off season consisted of signing the 2025 versions of Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon, make of that what you will.
Toronto Raptors
After 13 seasons Masai Ujiri will no longer be with the Raptors. Honestly this team is built like the classic middle of the pack NBA no man’s land team that every franchise has been trying to avoid for what feels like forever now. They have handed a lot of years of money to a roster that has won 55 games in 2 years. Barnes (38 million), Ingram (38 million), Quickley (32 million), Barrett (27 million), Poeltl (19 million). This team will be functional, there will even be times it looks good and tricks everyone, don’t buy it.
Brooklyn Nets
This team is hilarious. They drafted an entire roster of point guards and still have no passing. They have Cam Thomas trying to get paid and Michael Porter Jr. fresh off perhaps the worst press tour in history. How does is this franchise somehow launching re-builds every other year?
New York Knicks
The primary difference for the Knicks this upcoming season will be that Thibs has been replaced by Mike Brown as head coach. Brunson, KAT, and crew will keep trying to get over the hump and this year may be their best opportunity. They are a lot of people’s pick to come out the East and for good reason.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Dame era of the Bucks came to a quick end with nothing of note happening. The title team of 2021 is now completely broken up, with Khris Middleton being traded during last season and Brook Lopez now a Clipper. Giannis alone may be enough to win the East though and it may have to be Giannis alone as I personally am skeptical of everything else about the roster. They did replace Lopez with Myles Turner which could be a very interesting pairing next to Giannis. On the other hand Kyle Kuzma is likely their 3rd best player. The guards are going to be an issue as the rotation appears to be Kevin Porter Jr and Orlando Magic cast offs. Expect to hear the usual noise around Giannis potentially leaving from the national media no matter how true it may be. There are now 3 Antetokounmpo brothers on this team.
Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey got some money. The Bulls were looking kind of frisky at points last year as they traded Zach LaVine away and enter a new era. This is not exactly a very talent rich team but I love Coby White an unreasonable amount so that’s fun. The modern Bulls simply exist for 10th place and the play in every year.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are going to look pretty similar to last year and honestly why not? The East is wide open and they were the 1 seed last year before being taken down by the Pacers and their run of destiny. Atkinson did a great job in his first year coaching the team. Mobley, the reigning defensive player of the year, should keep getting better and Mitchell is of course a superstar who honestly went a little under the radar last year given how well he played (finishing 5th in MVP voting though not often brought up). They should have a real opportunity here.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers went on an absolutely amazing run last year all the way to game 7 of the finals. They had depth to spare and a legion or great role players surrounding Tyrese Haliburton. Unfortunately, we know how that ended. Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury that will keep him out for extended time, if not the entire season, this year. Myles Turner left for the Bucks in free agency and the Pacers must now survive until Halliburton is back. They might have the depth, coaching, and effort to stay afloat in the depleted East though as there is absolutely no quit in this team.
Detroit Pistons
Can an entire team win most improved player of the year? If so the Pistons should have won last year. Seriously an impressive display only a year removed from historic ineptitude and Cade is now firmly an all-NBA caliber player. What can you expect this year? Well, likely more of the same but even being an average team 2 years in a row would be a victory here.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat had a very messy break up with Jimmy Butler last year and enter the 2025 season likely well out of the title hunt. That being said, there is a collection of players here with Wiggins arriving via the Butler trade last year and Norm Powell being acquired in the off season to go with Bam (for whom trade rumors are starting to swirl) and Herro (who starts the year out after ankle surgery). We have seen the Heat make waves with rosters like this before but this also feels like it could finally be a true blow it up moment for the Heat honestly. I look forward to seeing them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have become a very trendy pick after having a great off season. Having Dyson Daniels (imagine trading him away) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (imagine trading him away) is going to do about all you can on the defensive end to help Trae Young. Kristaps is Kristaps and I wouldn’t bet on his health but if he is healthy should slot in just about perfectly with Trae. With Jalen Johnson hopefully coming back healthy and Risacher further improving, the Hawks have a real chance to make some noise.
Charlotte Hornets
I defy you to tell me anything about this team. The yearly Hornets post will remain “LaMelo…injuries…fuck Miles Bridges” until it is proven it needs to be different.
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are still an NBA team and now Khris Middleton and C.J. McCollum have been banished there but will certainly not be ending the season there.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are one of those teams I not so secretly really like. I am a big Paolo Banchero believer and I like adding Desmond Bane. I also like the Tyus Jones pick up as a rotation piece. Really hoping for good health this year as this team is still so young and Banchero, Suggs, and Wagner (both of them I guess) need to keep growing together.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz will be bad.
Denver Nuggets
Hey so uh, that might be Jokic’s music again this year. I loved the Nuggets off season. Swapping Michael Porter Jr for Cam Johnson, bringing back Bruce Brown, and signing Jonas Valanciunas to back up Jokic are all great moves. The younger pieces like Strawther, Braun, and Watson all have potential to find bigger roles too. Keep an eye on DaRon Holmes, who missed last season with an Achilles tear (of course) and so now gets a classic year 2 rookie season. Oh, right and they still have the best player in the world. Hopefully Murray can stay healthy and be his best self too.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Weirdly enough I think both teams won the KAT trade? I thought there was a real chance it would turn into a train wreck for everyone. It’s still Anthony Edwards and company with Avocado favorite* Rudy Gobert down low. Did you know ANT turned 24 just 2 months ago? That’s insane. He may find multiple more levels. I hope they never media train him. Anyway, the team should be good and really figured it out down the stretch last year.
Portland Trail Blazers
And 2 years later they somehow end up with both Jrue and Dame. Does it make sense at this point? Not in the slightest. Dame won’t be playing this year and Scoot Henderson tore his hamstring. So if you really want to see Jerami Grant I guess this is the team for you.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Okay so it wasn’t always perfect or pretty but really when is it ever? The Thunder have no reason not to be the favorites in the West again after riding absurd depth and a triple crown from Shai to a championship last year. The West is a bloodbath though and given recent trends the smart bet is to take the field. Can OKC break the cycle and be our first repeat champion in almost a decade? We’ll see.
Phoenix Suns
This whole thing depresses me honestly. The team that made the finals a few years ago was so fun and deep and Ishbia speed ran turning it all into nothing. Maybe he learned something from the Mercury’s success?
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler and actually went on a pretty significant run from that point on. I wrote a bunch of Kuminga jokes for this section before they came to terms with him. I’m sure Kerr will let him play this time. Anyway they signed Horford who is younger than LeBron but doesn’t feel like it. They also signed Seth Curry, the best of the NBA brothers who also play, but then had to waive him for cap reasons and he is expected to re-join the team later anyway because this all makes sense.
Los Angeles Clippers
I’m not sure I can really put a number on the Clipper’s Aspirations this year but if I had to try I’d say about 50 million or so (at about 2 million recurring). They’re really trying to plant some seeds of competition. It’d be helpful if Kawhi was more of an Iron Man to be sure, but he just seems to be a no-show more often than not ya know?
Los Angeles Lakers
Welp, Luka supposedly is in much better shape. Look you don’t need me to explain the Lakers to you the national media will be all over it all year. LeBron is still ridiculous at his age, Luka is Luka, Bronny sightings will be tracked. Oh, and Ayton is here now. What will matter is that LeBron is coming into the season hurt and unable to play and the Lakers roster is not that deep so it will be on Luka to carry the team early in the season, which honestly usually goes pretty well.
Sacramento Kings
Bulls West is here. Remember a few years ago when we were lighting The Beam and everything was all good vibes? Good times, good times. Anyway, now this team is made of the important parts of the Bulls from that same year. This team is further away from contention than they were a few years ago unless LaVine has another level he’s been hiding. Their defense is likely going to be the main problem as they have the makings of a strong offense but basically no defense. Screw it let DeMar cook.
Memphis Grizzlies
Look we know how this works. Ja Morant needs to be healthy or not suspended. Even with Ja I don’t think this team seems as strong as in recent years. They’re going to have to find a replacement for Bane’s production which might be possible in the aggregate or with someone like Scotty Pippen Jr. stepping up. Jaren Jackson Jr was relatively healthy last season and was awesome. Playing 74 games and making the all-star team for the second time. Hopefully he can stay healthy and Ja can stay on the court.
Dallas Mavericks
Okay dammit. You know what happened. I know what happened. We all know what happened. So I’ll just say I honestly hate that they got rewarded for trading Luka but I am happy for the fanbase that they got Cooper Flagg and we’re gonna be following him all year and possibly for the next 20.
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans preview suffered an injury and will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks.
San Antonio Spurs
Wemby spent his off season recovering from clots, hooping at a Shaolin temple, retweeting posts calling out Karl Malone on twitter, then training with Kevin Garnett and Hakeem. Legend already. The Spurs also paid Fox a lot of money and are looking to make the leap up to the next tier of competitor and make some noise in a crowded West. Also I have to mention Gregg Popovich retiring as head coach after 29 seasons. Pop is my personal GOAT in terms of coaches and I wish him health and rest moving forward in his new role.
Houston Rockets
Okay look I obviously write this preview every year now and everyone here knows that I’m a big NBA head. I consume a ton of NBA content between games, podcasts, and videos. I would never claim to actually have all that much knowledge, but I am a pretty well informed fan who has on occasion made some great calls. So, I guess compared to the rest of the NBA media sphere my hot take is that KD to the Rockets won’t amount to all that much. I just feel like he’s going to be hurt and not play enough for it to really matter. That being said, on paper, I absolutely get it. This team took up the almost annual “over seeded young team no one actually thinks is that good” spot last year before getting bounced in the first round. Obviously, they are adding Durant who is still Kevin freaking Durant when healthy. But Van Fleet already tore his ACL and now they have… 0? playmakers on the roster. They’re going to need a significant leap from Amen Thompson and/or Sengun to be title contenders now. Those are good young players! But I’m not on the same page with much of the NBA media/Vegas odds here.
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Okay so as always injuries are going to be the big determining factor for many teams here. At least this year the West being so much better than the East is mostly due to unfortunate injuries rather than the entire East being terrible outright. Right? Oh well. But in seriousness the late season injuries have opened a window for a lot of teams who found themselves just outside of contention last year. Here as the season starts I think there’s a pretty clear top 2 in OKC and Denver and then teams like the Wolves, Knicks, and Cavs just below that. Advanced metrics projections also love the Warriors and Magic.
Enjoy the NBA making its return to NBC this year as well as Amazon Prime getting in on the action. Plus enjoy the NBA on TNT on ESPN.
Y’all all know the drill. This is all in good fun and I don’t actually know anything. Sound off the comments on how you think your favorite team will do. The plan is for this thread to be up as an opening week discussion thread as well. Everyone be good to each other, enjoy the season, and good luck to everyone’s teams.
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