1 Hot Take for Every NBA Team This Season
NBA training camps kick off shortly for the 2024-25 season. Each team (technically) has an equal chance at a playoff berth with a clean 0-0 record, but not all have the same goals.
Some will prioritize development with an eye on a deep 2025 NBA draft headlined by Duke prospect Cooper Flagg. While others will go all-out for a title, most are in the middle. They'll play it by ear and see if they should enter the trade deadline as buyers or sellers.
The following is a list of hot takes for the 30 NBA franchises for 2024-25:
Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson MIP
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The Atlanta Hawks face a big decision before the season with forward Jalen Johnson, who is extension-eligible. The team can wait until he's a restricted free agent next season, but he is primed for a big season ahead.
Johnson jumped from 5.6 points a game in 2022-23 to 16.0 last season. That trend will continue as he leaps into the 20-point scorer category and the Hawks' best frontcourt player paired with guard Trae Young.
For his efforts, Johnson will earn the NBA's Most Improved Player award and a significant pay hike (perhaps why the Hawks should get a deal done before he blows up even further).
Boston Celtics Repeat
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While it may not seem like a hot take—the reigning best team in basketball will stay the best team in basketball—but the NBA hasn't seen a champion repeat since the Golden State Warriors (2017-18). Based on recent history, the odds should be against them.
But the Celtics have the same young and healthy (enough, Kristaps Porziņģis is a bonus when they have him, not a requirement to win) team back. While others have improved, the gap remains too large, and Boston will continue to win.
Brooklyn Nets Win Lottery & Cooper Flagg
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Even the worst NBA team has a low chance of winning the draft lottery (14 percent). The Brooklyn Nets could go 0-82 and still face an 86 percent chance of not getting Flagg in the draft (assuming he stays the top prospect).
But it's hot-take time, and while the Nets have some work to do (via trade) to get out of veterans like Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, look for Brooklyn to quickly drop to the bottom of the standings.
It's a wild stab, but the Nets get good fortune in May's lottery.
Charlotte Hornets Execute Multiple Trades
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The Charlotte Hornets' identity may not be set yet, with Michael Jordan selling the franchise last year to Gabe Plotkin and Rich Schnall. Jeff Peterson, who took over for Mitch Kupchak as the lead basketball executive, has yet to stamp his personality on the roster.
Still, the team has executed three minor trades since the start of July. Look for Peterson to be active on the trade market this season, reshaping the team with potential relocations of players like Grant Williams, Josh Green, Cody Martin, Tre Mann, Vasilije Micić and even Miles Bridges.
When the buzzer rings on February 6, the Hornets may double their trade total for the year.
Chicago Bulls Deal Vučević, LaVine Remains
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The Chicago Bulls were a mediocre team last season (39 wins), and the offseason hasn't changed enough. Josh Giddey was a positive acquisition, but the team traded away veterans DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso.
The Bulls must continue purging older, expensive players who don't fit the current timeline while adding younger talent to play with Coby White, Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis and Giddey.
While they will find a taker for Nikola Vučević ($20 million this season, $41.5 million total), getting out of the higher-priced Zach LaVine will prove too daunting. The former All-Star is still owed $138 million over the next three years (last season is a player option), which will prove too much for buyers ahead of the trade deadline.
Cleveland Cavaliers Win 54
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The Cleveland Cavaliers had a lot to work through last year with uncertainty surrounding Donovan Mitchell's long-term future and injuries to Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. But now Mitchell has extended (as have Mobley and Allen), and with some health luck, the Cavaliers may be a slept-on team in the Eastern Conference.
Look for Cleveland to finish as the No. 2 seed in the East with 54 wins, just behind the Celtics.
Dallas Mavericks Out Before WCF
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Few may have expected the Dallas Mavericks to go from a lottery team in 2022-23 to the NBA Finals the following season. The Mavs' brilliant run fell short of the highest goal, but the franchise has course-corrected around star Luka Dončić.
Unfortunately, the run won't continue—at least not at the same level. The Mavericks will make the playoffs but won't advance past the second round. Klay Thompson's shooting won't offset the underrated loss of Derrick Jones Jr.'s defense. That won't be the only reason, but it'll stand out as the Mavericks can't get enough stops to advance deep into the postseason.
Denver Nuggets Lose out on Home-Court Advantage
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Nikola Jokić may still be one of the best players in the world, but he won't be the first superstar to see his team backslide around him. The Denver Nuggets were thin on depth before losing starting wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Orlando Magic in free agency.
Denver will still make the playoffs outright, avoiding the play-in, but they'll finish around 5-6 in the Western Conference without home-court advantage (barring upsets from the teams slotted 7-8).
Detroit Pistons Better Than Expected
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Sadly, this is a hot take. The Detroit Pistons have been awful for a long, long time. Their last playoff win (game, not series) was in 2008. Adding insult to injury, after winning a measly 31 games the last two years, the team fell to No. 5 in consecutive lotteries.
The fan base needs something positive, and new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will get more than most expect out of the roster this year. No, that doesn't mean playoffs, but the Pistons will nearly double their win total this year (from 14).
It's not like the lottery gods have rewarded Detroit for all that losing, and the players need to start building winning habits.
Golden State Warriors Don't Pay Kuminga...Yet
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The Golden State Warriors are experiencing a minor post-Klay Thompson identity crisis as they adjust to the NBA's new rules. Stephen Curry is still who he is, but how exactly should the franchise support him over the next few years?
Part of that decision needs to be made soon, specifically with forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is extension-eligible until the start of the regular season. That directional uncertainty will lead to a stalemate. Without a deal, Kuminga must play out his final year with the franchise.
The good news for the team is that Kuminga will be restricted next summer. He'll grow into a vital role and re-sign with the franchise long-term at a sizable dollar.
Houston Rockets Sneak into Playoffs
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The Houston Rockets grew last season from a bottom-feeder to a .500 team. They fell five games short of the 9/10th slotted teams (Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors), but this year will be different.
It took some time for new head coach Ime Udoka to instill a defensive-minded culture. The team will build upon that this year, initially with continuity. Houston will still need to rely on several young players, including recently drafted Reed Sheppard, but the Rockets will make the play-in tournament and sneak into one of the bottom two playoff seeds.
Also, keep an eye on Houston leading into the trade deadline. They're one of the few franchises with the means to get a significant deal done.
Indiana Pacers Win 51, Earn Home-Court Advantage
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The Indiana Pacers were another unexpected playoff contender, bolstered by the in-season acquisition of Pascal Siakam. Look for Indiana to grow this year with continuity and experience.
Put the Pacers down for 51 wins, a top-4 seed, and home-court advantage in the first round. The potential negative would be facing the Boston Celtics in the second round, which could end Indiana's postseason run one round earlier than last year.
LA Clippers Miss Playoffs
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The LA Clippers decided not to pay Paul George, who left as a free agent for the Philadelphia 76ers. It may have been the right choice for the franchise, but the team did pay Kawhi Leonard, who can't stay consistently healthy.
The Clippers probably make the playoffs at full strength, but they won't be at full strength and will be forced to give their lottery pick to the Thunder (via a swap from the 2019 George trade that landed All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City).
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Can Coach
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It's easy to get down on the Los Angeles Lakers, who barely made any roster moves over the offseason after a disappointing 2023-24. The most significant change was on the bench, with JJ Redick taking over for Darvin Ham as head coach.
The obvious concern is that Redick has no professional coaching experience. While he had a long, successful career, including an NBA Finals appearance, he's headed into uncharted territory with a roster that underperformed last season.
Look for the Lakers to be better than expected and Redick to prove himself a viable NBA coach in his rookie campaign. The team will make the playoffs, with the outcome determined more by health and matchups than coaching.
Ja Back to Form, Memphis Grizzlies on Bubble
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Ja Morant will return to his All-Star form after a year lost to suspension and injury. Unfortunately for the Memphis Grizzlies, the team won't instantly return to their No. 2 seed earned during the 2022-23 campaign.
Instead, the Grizzlies must fight through the play-in tournament for a playoff shot. The team has talent but needs to forge a new identity without players like Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams. Memphis is better than the middle of the pack, but just barely.
Miami Heat Trade Jimmy
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The NBA is ultimately a business, and the Miami Heat have difficult decisions ahead. The team has mostly avoided the luxury tax through the years, but Miami's payroll has grown expensive, and the team doesn't look willing to double down on a roster that may have peaked.
Specifically, Jimmy Butler is in the final year of his contract (though he has a player option for $52.4 million for 2025-26) and needs a trade to the team willing to pay him. If the Heat aren't going to extend him, they'll be responsible for his salary next year.
Instead, look for the Heat to deal Butler before the deadline, perhaps to a hopeful contender like the Houston Rockets.
Milwaukee Bucks are a Play-In Team
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With teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic on the rise, the Boston Celtics holding strong and other contenders in the mix, the Milwaukee Bucks face serious competition in the Eastern Conference.
As talented as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are, the rest of the roster isn't great. Khris Middleton has fallen off with injury, and the franchise hasn't done well in replacing aging players (like Brook Lopez) with young talent via the draft or free agency.
As a high spender, the Bucks had a solid summer on the minimum market with players like Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright and Taurean Prince, but Milwaukee will need to get through the play-in tournament to make the playoffs this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves Dip Below 50 Wins, Still Top-6
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The Minnesota Timberwolves were panned for giving up so much in draft compensation to the Utah Jazz to acquire Rudy Gobert, but they shut up many critics last year. The team finished with 56 wins and a trip to the Western Conference Finals.
Expect a minor step back for the franchise, with fewer wins and a lower seed, but not a big enough drop to fall into the play-in tournament. Minnesota can still go deep into the playoffs as a 5-6 seed without home-court advantage in the first round, but the 2024-25 campaign will be a tougher test than last year.
New Orleans Pelicans Trade Ingram
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It may not be that hot a take to say Brandon Ingram is available in trade. The forward is in the final year of his deal, but the New Orleans Pelicans are more likely to invest in Trey Murphy III (extension-eligible).
But it's a little hotter to predict they actually execute a deal before the deadline, perhaps with a team like the Charlotte Hornets or Utah Jazz—teams that otherwise might struggle to attract free agents. Ingram can sign an extension if traded or wait until the summer to re-sign, but look for the Pelicans to relocate the All-Star forward.
New York Knicks Trade for a Center
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The New York Knicks have almost everything they need to compete at the highest level, but losing Isaiah Hartenstein will be tough to overcome. The Knicks desperately need a starting-capable center, given Mitchell Robinson has regularly struggled to stay healthy.
Julius Randle can play the position undersized, but he's not a rim protector. The team isn't committed long-term to Precious Achiuwa (choosing to re-sign him for just one season), and Jericho Sims has yet to show that he can play a significant role.
That will be rectified before the deadline via trade—and that move may come at a cost. The Knicks may not have the budget to keep Randle long-term and may get him to a team willing to extend or re-sign him. If so, the team may need two bigs back (including a replacement power forward).
Until that's resolved, the Knicks may dip to No. 5 in the East in a very tight race.
Oklahoma City Thunder's SGA Wins MVP
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This one is a bit lukewarm, but mark down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as NBA Most Valuable Player for 2024-25. He came in second to Nikola Jokić last year. Still, with the Denver Nuggets backsliding a bit this season and the Oklahoma City Thunder finishing with the best record in the West with over 60 wins, Gilgeous-Alexander earns the honor.
He'll be the first guard to win MVP since James Harden in 2017-18.
Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero All-NBA
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The Orlando Magic will continue to compete in the Eastern Conference, though they may dip slightly to the No. 6 seed. The Magic won't have home-court advantage in the first round of that playoffs but will avoid the play-in tournament.
Paolo Banchero will earn All-NBA honors, displacing one of Kawhi Leonard or Domantas Sabonis.
Philadelphia 76ers Get Home-Court Advantage, No Eastern Conference Finals
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The Philadelphia 76ers will round out the top four in the East with the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. If healthy, the 76ers have a well-built team.
Unfortunately, the Sixers are built around two players who have struggled with injuries in recent years (Joel Embiid and Paul George), which won't be as significant an issue in the regular season but will crop up in the playoffs and lead to another playoff exit before the Eastern Conference Finals.
Phoenix Suns Still Out After Round 1
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The Phoenix Suns have undeniable high-end talent, specifically with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But the team's depth is still questionable. Tyus Jones was a tremendous addition on a minimum contract, and the Suns will get through the season without needing the play-in for a postseason berth.
But that's where it will end again, after a short first-round series.
Portland Trail Blazers' Shaedon Sharpe at 20 PPG
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The Portland Trail Blazers won't win many games this season, but Shaedon Sharpe will have a breakout year. He'll make Anfernee Simons relatively expendable—possibly a trade piece for the Blazers.
While the Atlanta Hawks won't be great, they'll finish with the better record, and Jalen Johnson's Most Improved Player award will be viewed as a snub of Sharpe's 20 points per game.
Sacramento Kings' Malik Monk 6MOY
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Malik Monk should have won the Sixth Man of the Year award for 2023-24—maybe in a tie with an also deserving Naz Reid. But put him down for it for 2024-25.
Monk will help the Sacramento Kings stay competitive, starting some games but primarily in the same role off the bench. Sacramento will need to get to the playoffs through the play-in tournament, but Monk will continue to drive the team's second unit and often close out games.
Wembanyama DPOY, San Antonio Spurs Still Bad Defensively
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If Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, then it's not a hot take prediction—but while he'll win the honor, the San Antonio Spurs will still be a poor defensive team.
The Spurs will improve upon last year's 115.6 points allowed per 100 possessions (21st overall), but not enough for a playoff push. Maybe the Spurs will climb to the middle, but the team is still building a proper supporting cast around one of the league's brightest young stars.
Toronto Raptors Improve via Trade, Make Play-In
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The Toronto Raptors are too good even to consider tanking. While the roster isn't entirely on par with the elite of the Eastern Conference, the Raptors have enough talent to compete with Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.
The team will make at least one significant addition via trade (using Bruce Brown Jr.'s contract) to improve enough to make the play-in and challenge for a playoff spot. They may fall short of the ultimate goal, but they will be better situated for the future post-deadline.
Utah Jazz Sit Markkanen at Least 30 Games
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The Utah Jazz will prioritize the lottery and Flagg pursuit enough to limit Lauri Markkanen's participation this season. Pencil him in for about 50 games, enough time off to ensure the wins don't pile up.
Markkanen's contract was recently renegotiated and extended. Although he may prefer playing, he'll do what's best for the team after getting a sizable raise.
Also, look for the Jazz to be a buyer in trade for an All-Star talent needing a long-term home.
Washington Wizards Lead NBA in Executed Trades
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Finally, the Washington Wizards will execute more trades this season than any other franchise. The team acquired Jonas Valančiūnas from the New Orleans Pelicans via sign-and-trade and Malcolm Brogdon in a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Both veterans may not last the year in Washington, along with others like Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole (perhaps someone the Chicago Bulls would take for Zach LaVine?), Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley III, etc.
The rebuilding Wizards are open to change.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
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