NBA season preview: Rankings, predictions and what to...

Season Overview: The 2024/25 NBA Landscape

The 79th NBA regular season begins with the Boston Celtics seeking to become the first repeat champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. The competitive gap has narrowed significantly across both conferences, driven by the restrictive roster-building rules of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) second apron.

The Western Conference presents an unprecedented depth of contention, with 11 teams entering the campaign with projected win totals of .500 or higher. In the Eastern Conference, heavy summer spending by the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers has created a formidable top tier to challenge Boston’s recent dominance.

Key Stats & Facts

• Efficiency Benchmark: The league-average offensive rating reached a record-high 114.2 points per 100 possessions in 2023/24, up from 112.0 in 2022/23.
• Dominant Margin: Boston recorded a league-best +11.7 net rating last season, becoming just the third team in NBA history to finish a season above +11.5.
• Historical Milestone Watch: LeBron James (40,474 points) needs 1,526 points to become the first player in NBA history to reach 42,000 career regular-season points.
• Perimeter Evolution: Stephen Curry (3,747 career three-pointers) requires 253 made shots from deep to become the first player to reach the 4,000 milestone.
• Defensive Gold Standard: The Minnesota Timberwolves led the league in defensive rating (108.4) last season, holding opponents to an NBA-low 44.7% field-goal shooting.

Conference Rankings & Team Previews

Eastern Conference

• 1. Boston Celtics (60-22 predicted): Ranked 1st in offensive rating (122.2) in 2023/24. Core intact, led by Jayson Tatum (26.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG).
• 2. New York Knicks (54-28 predicted): Added Karl-Anthony Towns (21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG) and Mikal Bridges to a squad that won 50 games last year.
• 3. Philadelphia 76ers (52-30 predicted): Formed a new Big Three featuring Joel Embiid (34.7 PPG), Tyrese Maxey (25.9 PPG), and free-agent signing Paul George (22.6 PPG).
• 4. Milwaukee Bucks (50-32 predicted): Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 PPG on 61.1% shooting last term; entering Year 2 alongside Damian Lillard (24.3 PPG).
• 5. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34 predicted): Led by Donovan Mitchell (26.6 PPG). Retained core four after finishing 7th in defensive rating (112.1).
• 6. Indiana Pacers (47-35 predicted): Paced the NBA in scoring (123.3 PPG) and assists (30.8 APG) behind league-assist leader Tyrese Haliburton (10.9 APG).
• 7. Orlando Magic (46-36 predicted): Paolo Banchero (22.6 PPG) leads a defense that ranked 3rd overall (110.8 DEF RTG); added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
• 8. Miami Heat (44-38 predicted): Jimmy Butler (20.8 PPG) enters a contract year. Team ranked 21st in offensive rating (113.3) last season.
• 9. Atlanta Hawks (38-44 predicted): Trae Young (25.7 PPG, 10.8 APG) anchors the offense following the trade of Dejounte Murray; drafted #1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
• 10. Chicago Bulls (35-47 predicted): Coby White (19.1 PPG) takes over primary playmaking duties following DeMar DeRozan’s off-season exit.
• 11. Toronto Raptors (32-50 predicted): Building around All-Star Scottie Barnes (19.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.1 APG) and Immanuel Quickley.
• 12. Charlotte Hornets (28-54 predicted): LaMelo Ball returns after playing just 22 games in 2023/24 (23.9 PPG, 8.0 APG); Brandon Miller enters Year 2.
• 13. Detroit Pistons (24-58 predicted): Cade Cunningham (22.7 PPG, 7.5 APG) signed a max extension; added veterans Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley.
• 14. Brooklyn Nets (21-61 predicted): Entered full rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges for five first-round draft picks; Cam Thomas leads scoring (22.5 PPG).
• 15. Washington Wizards (18-64 predicted): Allowed a league-worst 123.0 PPG last season; selected French center Alexandre Sarr with the #2 overall pick.

Western Conference

• 1. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-24 predicted): Youngest #1 seed in history added Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30.1 PPG frame.
• 2. Minnesota Timberwolves (55-27 predicted): Anthony Edwards (25.9 PPG) leads last year’s top-ranked defense after swapping Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
• 3. Dallas Mavericks (53-29 predicted): Scoring champion Luka Doncic (33.9 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 9.8 APG) paired with Kyrie Irving and newly signed Klay Thompson.
• 4. Denver Nuggets (52-30 predicted): Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic (26.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 9.0 APG) anchors the team despite depth losses in free agency.
• 5. Phoenix Suns (4 9-33 predicted): Kevin Durant (27.1 PPG) and Devin Booker (27.1 PPG) benefit from the arrival of point guard Tyus Jones (6.2 AST/TO ratio).
• 6. Sacramento Kings (47-35 predicted): Added DeMar DeRozan (24.0 PPG) to join Domantas Sabonis, who led the NBA in rebounds (13.7 RPG) and triple-doubles (26).
• 7. Memphis Grizzlies (46-36 predicted): Ja Morant returns from suspension/injury (25.1 PPG career); drafted 7-foot-4 rookie Zach Edey #9 overall.
• 8. New Orleans Pelicans (45-37 predicted): Zion Williamson (22.9 PPG, 57.0% FG) gains backcourt support from acquired All-Star Dejounte Murray (21.5 PPG).
• 9. Golden State Warriors (44-38 predicted): Stephen Curry (26.4 PPG, 4.8 3PM/G) leads a restructured roster featuring additions Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson.
• 10. Los Angeles Lakers (43-39 predicted): Anthony Davis (24.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG) and LeBron James (25.7 PPG) adapt to new head coach JJ Redick.
• 11. Houston Rockets (41-41 predicted): Alperen Sengun (21.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG) leads a young core that jumped from 22 to 41 wins last season.
• 12. Los Angeles Clippers (39-43 predicted): Kawhi Leonard (23.7 PPG) opens a new arena without Paul George; James Harden takes full playmaking load.
• 13. San Antonio Spurs (34-48 predicted): Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama (21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.6 BPG) pairs with veteran point guard Chris Paul (6.8 APG).
• 14. Utah Jazz (27-55 predicted): Lauri Markkanen signed a long-term extension (23.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 39.9% 3PT) amidst an ongoing roster transition.
• 15. Portland Trail Blazers (21-61 predicted): Scoot Henderson (14.0 PPG) enters his sophomore year alongside rookie center Donovan Clingan.

Player Spotlight & Standings Impact

2024/25 MVP ODDS LEADERS (PRE-SEASON)
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1. Luka Doncic (DAL)        +375
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  +450
3. Nikola Jokic (DEN)       +500
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo    +650
5. Jayson Tatum (BOS)       +900

Individual Drivers

• Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs): After becoming the first rookie in history to lead the NBA in blocks (3.6 BPG) alongside 21.4 PPG, Wembanyama enters the season as the betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder): Finished runner-up in MVP voting after averaging 30.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 2.0 SPG while leading OKC to 57 wins. His efficiency (53.5% FG) remains the standard for perimeter scorers.
• Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets): The three-time MVP is positioned to become just the fourth player in NBA history to win four or more MVP awards, following Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James.