2024-25 NBA Season Preview
Sean Gordon
Staff Writer
The Boston Celtics dominated last season’s postseason, being crowned Eastern Conference champions for the second time in three years and going on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks to win their first NBA championship since 2008. Boston did not receive much resistance in their run to the title, suffering just three losses in nineteen postseason games. They will surely be favored to repeat their championship performance in the upcoming season.
The New York Knicks shocked the basketball world when they traded for Brooklyn Nets star forward Mikal Bridges. New York sent five first-round picks to acquire the former tenth pick of the 2018 draft. Bridges will be reunited with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. The Wildcats trio won the 2016 NCAA national championship together. Brunson and Bridges were also a part of the 2018 Villanova national championship team. New York adds a player in Bridges that has never missed a game in his six-year career. The Knicks fell victim to the injury bug last season, so adding a player who will always be available is a luxury for a team looking to make a deep playoff run. New York was able to retain forward OG Anunoby, agreeing on a five-year $212.5 million contract. All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson took a massive pay cut when he agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million extension. He was eligible to sign for $113 million more next year.
However, New York was unable to agree on a deal with center Isaiah Hartenstein, who left for Oklahoma City. Hartenstein was a crucial part of the Knicks’ success last season, helping the team lead the entire NBA in offensive rebounds. His hustle play will likely be missed in New York this season. On the other hand, Oklahoma City will certainly enjoy adding a high-motor player in Hartenstein. The veteran center will offer valuable leadership to last year’s second-youngest roster in the league, which had an average age of 24.12. Last season’s Western Conference first seed, the Thunder had a disappointing conclusion to their season, losing in six games to the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semi-finals. There should not be much concern in Oklahoma City, as this was a roster with limited playoff experience. MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his fantastic production in the postseason averaging 30.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists. The 26-year-old is primed for another monstrous season, as are the Thunder with this youthful roster adding another season of NBA basketball under their belt.
The Philadelphia 76ers bolstered their roster, signing nine-time All-Star forward Paul George to a 4-year, $212 million deal. George may be past his prime at 34 years old, but he still managed 22.6 points per game while shooting with high career efficiency from the field and beyond the arc. He will have plenty of help from MVP center Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. Maxey stepped up big time for Philadelphia in the postseason averaging 29.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. It is only up from here for the 23-year-old as he enters the prime of his career. Joel Embiid played through a lingering knee injury against New York in the first round but still put up 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game in the series. He will likely be an MVP candidate yet again as long as he stays healthy throughout the season.
The re-branded Los Angeles Clippers lose an elite two-way player in Paul George and trade away former MVP guard Russell Westbrook. However, they re-signed ten-time All-Star James Harden on a 2-year $70 million deal. Harden is a few seasons removed from his prime at this point in his career. The 2018 MVP averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists last season. Kawhi Leonard will enter the season as a Clipper, but he has struggled to stay on the court at a consistent rate due to injuries. The Klaw managed to suit up for just two of the Clippers’ six playoff games last season. It will be difficult for the Clippers to compete for an NBA title if they are relying on two aging stars to carry the workload.
The dynasty known as the Golden State Warriors might have officially come to an end this offseason. Golden State loses one of their “Splash Bros.” to the Dallas Mavericks. Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson joins the reigning Western Conference champions on a three-year, $50 million contract. Golden State loses a cornerstone of their franchise after the 34-year-old struggled to find his old form all last season. Thompson was unable to record a single bucket in thirty-two minutes in the Warriors’ play-in-game loss to Sacramento. The Mavericks struggled from beyond the arc in their loss to the Celtics. Both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving shot below 30% from three. If Thompson can turn back the clock just a little bit, the Dallas Mavericks could be an even stronger team than last season.
Contact Sean at sean.gordon@student.shu.edu