Full Win-Loss Record Predictions for Every NBA Team in 2024-25
With the NBA back in training camps ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, what should fans expect for the season?
Each year, there are a few surprises (who expected the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic to be so good and the Memphis Grizzlies to be that awful?), but it's based on what teams have on paper; it's time to predict how each franchise will fare.
Some teams will prioritize development and the 2025 NBA draft (expected to feature Duke's Cooper Flagg as the top prize). Of the contending teams, while it's impossible to know who will stay healthy or will make a blockbuster trade, the following list breaks down a feasible future:
Atlanta Hawks (35-47)
1 of 31
Seeding: No. 10 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: No. 8 seed
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Owed to San Antonio Spurs
The Hawks have talent but haven't been able to win consistently in recent years. After pivoting away from Dejounte Murray (traded to the New Orleans Pelicans), can a breakout year from Jalen Johnson provide enough alongside Trae Young to push the team into the playoffs?
Without their own first-round pick, the Hawks will compete throughout the year as rebuilding teams start to shut down veteran players.
Result: Play-in
Boston Celtics (60-22)
2 of 31
Seeding: No. 1 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Nothing better than another championship
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
Boston may choose a slightly lighter pace, with a minor dip from last year's win total (64). Don't mistake that for weakness; the same team that won the title in 2023-24 should win again.
If there's a weakness, it's at center, with Kristaps Porziņģis still recovering from a leg/foot injury. The Celtics won't overload Al Horford, but big-man depth shouldn't be a significant issue atop the East.
Result: Repeat champion
Brooklyn Nets (17-65)
3 of 31
Seeding: No. 14 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: No. 1 in the draft lottery
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
The Nets signaled their rebuild when trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. Look for other veterans like Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith to be dealt ahead of the February trade deadline.
The commitment to ugly basketball may be early, and, unfortunately, it may not be much fun for Nets fans. A positive lottery result next May could make it worthwhile.
Result: Lottery
Charlotte Hornets (22-60)
4 of 31
Seeding: No. 13 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Losing in the play-in
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Top-14-protected (owed to San Antonio Spurs)
The Hornets don't look like a team hoping to bottom out. They have enough talent to compete for the play-in, but that's probably the most they can hope for—and with the obligation to the Spurs, they may have one more year left in the tank.
That could mean trading away a few veterans like Grant Williams, Cody Martin and/or Nick Richards as the franchise takes one more stab at the lottery.
Result: Lottery
Chicago Bulls (28-54)
5 of 31
Seeding: No. 11 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: No. 8
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Top-10-protected (owed to San Antonio Spurs)
The Bulls have enough talent to win games. However, they are still transitioning away from their previous veteran core (Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan are already gone, with Nikola Vučević and Zach LaVine likely available).
The obligation to the Spurs may decide their fate, where losing down the stretch to preserve their first-round pick may lead to a rough finish to the season.
Result: Top-10 pick in the draft
Cleveland Cavaliers (54-28)
6 of 31
Seeding: No. 3 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Eastern Conference Finals
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Owed to Utah Jazz
The Cavaliers pushed through significant injuries last year to finish with a respectful playoff run. If the team can stay healthy, it will be among the best in the conference. Distractions should be behind the team, with most of its core locked into long-term extensions.
The hope remains that Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley's oversized frontcourt pairing can offset the somewhat small backcourt scorers (Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland).
Result: At least two or even three playoff rounds
Dallas Mavericks (53-29)
7 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 2-3 (Western Conference)
Best Case: NBA Finals
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
The Mavericks should exceed last year's win total (50), but they may find that their added shooting (Klay Thompson) doesn't offset their loss in perimeter defense (Derrick Jones Jr.). Seeding at No. 2 or 3 will need to be determined by tiebreaker with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Can Dallas get back to the Finals? Yes, but there's no compelling argument to make that the Mavs have overtaken the Boston Celtics.
Result: Second round
Denver Nuggets (50-32)
8 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 4-5 (Western Conference)
Best Case: NBA Finals
2025 NBA Draft: Top-five-protected (owed to Orlando Magic)
The Nuggets had depth issues that may have barely manifested in the standings (a late loss to the San Antonio Spurs cost Denver the No. 1 seed) but proved to be a postseason problem. Now that starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has left for the Orlando Magic, Denver may lose home court in the first round (depending on a tie-breaker with the New Orleans Pelicans).
Nikola Jokić is so good that the Nuggets may still figure it out despite being short-handed in proven, veteran players (no, Russell Westbrook isn't the answer to what was missing).
Result: Second round
Detroit Pistons (24-58)
9 of 31
Seeding: No. 12 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: 13th-worst team in the NBA
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Top-13-protected (owed to Minnesota Timberwolves)
The Pistons are improving, really. It's been a slog for a long time, and Detroit has consistently been at the bottom. With a healthy investment in Cade Cunningham, the Pistons need to start turning the corner—but only to an extent.
The team is still best falling short of the playoffs to ensure it doesn't send its first-round pick to the Timberwolves (via the New York Knicks and the Karl-Anthony Towns deal).
Result: Lottery, but not as bad as recent years
Golden State Warriors (42-40)
10 of 31
Seeding: No. 10 (Western Conference)
Best Case: NBA Finals
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
Betting against Steph Curry is a losing venture. The Warriors don't look like a team ready to challenge the Western Conference at the highest level, but there's always that possibility Curry shoots his team through the play-in to the NBA Finals.
The prediction is that they finish barely above .500, but give the Warriors a wide variance because of No. 30.
Result: Play-in
Houston Rockets (44-38)
11 of 31
Seeding: No. 9 (Western Conference)
Best Case: No. 6
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own (or Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns via swaps)
The Rockets are a climber in the West and may improve throughout the season via trade. Part of the equation will be the futures of Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, who can extend before the season or re-sign in July. Will Houston reinvest or let one (or both) go?
Those decisions, which could lead to a blockbuster before the deadline, will dictate the team's path, but on paper, they look like one of the top-10 teams competing for a postseason berth.
Result: An in-season trade may help them get through the play-in into the playoffs
Indiana Pacers (51-31)
12 of 31
Seeding: No. 4 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Already close to it, perhaps No. 3 in the East
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
The Pacers got past the New York Knicks into the conference finals before losing to the Boston Celtics. The Knicks have improved, joining Boston as the critical impediment to Indiana.
Still, the team is well-constructed and should finish no lower than No. 5 in the East.
Result: A small step back, losing in the second round
LA Clippers (36-46)
13 of 31
Seeding: No. 12 (Western Conference)
Best Case: No. 6
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own (or Oklahoma City Thunder via swap)
Did the Clippers make a mistake letting Paul George go to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency? Perhaps, but LA chose not to reinvest in an expensive product that consistently fell short in the playoffs.
The more significant issue is Kawhi Leonard's inconsistent availability. The Clippers could even avoid the play-in if he can play most of the season at a high level. More realistically, he won't, and the team will miss out on the play-in and playoffs entirely.
Result: Lottery
Los Angeles Lakers (48-34)
14 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 6-8 (Western Conference)
Best Case: Western Conference Finals
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Owed to Atlanta Hawks
The Lakers will either be very good or very mediocre this season. They're a tough call but can reasonably project to tie the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns with 48 wins. One of the three would avoid the play-in via tiebreaker.
Los Angeles may need to tinker with the roster via trade before the deadline to prepare for a viable playoff run. The one team the Lakers have been stuck on the last two years has been the Denver Nuggets—avoiding the Nuggets could determine whether the Lakers have a long or short postseason.
Result: Playoffs, with matchups determining how substantial the run
Memphis Grizzlies (37-45)
15 of 31
Seeding: No. 11 (Western Conference)
Best case: No. 4
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
Two years ago, the Grizzlies were among the best teams in the West. Ja Morant (off-court issues, injury) and a slew of health issues derailed the franchise. A rebound season is possible—they may even place high enough for home-court advantage in the first round.
But something feels off about Memphis. Injuries continue to plague the club, and if one of the playoff hopefuls has to fall out of contention, the Grizzlies seem most likely to falter.
Result: Lottery
Miami Heat (42-40)
16 of 31
Seeding: No. 8 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: No. 3
2025 NBA Draft: Top-14-protected (owed to Oklahoma City Thunder)
The Heat always seem to overachieve, but with Jimmy Butler in the final year of his contract (player option for 2025-26), the franchise may choose to change direction. If Butler gets past the trade deadline in Miami and is healthy in the playoffs, the Heat remain a threat against even the best of the East.
Like the Warriors and Grizzlies, the Heat are difficult to predict for 2024-25.
Result: Play-in
Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)
17 of 31
Seeding: No. 7 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Second Round
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: 1-4 to New Orleans Pelicans; 5-30 to Brooklyn Nets
The Bucks have two of the league's best scorers, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, but the roster's depth is iffy. Khris Middleton hasn't been able to stay healthy, and while some solid minimum signings (Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright and Taurean Prince) will help, the Bucks just aren't what they were in 2021.
Result: Play-in
Minnesota Timberwolves (53-29)
18 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 2-3 (Western Conference)
Best Case: NBA Finals
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Owed to Utah Jazz
The Timberwolves are making the bold choice to trade an All-Star after a run to the conference finals, but economics played a significant factor in the Karl-Anthony Towns swap with the New York Knicks. While Julius Randle won't space the floor alongside Rudy Gobert, he adds a different level of physicality to the roster.
Adding Donte DiVincenzo is a significant get, as the team was notably weak at guard with Mike Conley near the end of his career. Naz Reid will also benefit from the trade. Will the Wolves get as far as they did last year? They have a viable case, projected to tie at No. 2 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Result: At least the second round of the playoffs
New Orleans Pelicans (50-32)
19 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 4-5 (Western Conference)
Best Case: Second Round
2025 NBA Draft: Own
The Pelicans addressed their most significant need over the summer, trading for Dejounte Murray. Now that the franchise has a dependable two-way ball-handling guard, the season will turn on the health of Zion Williamson. If he can stay sound throughout the year, New Orleans may compete for home-court advantage in the first round.
Brandon Ingram, who is extension-eligible, may be traded before the deadline. If so, that deal could alter the Pelicans' trajectory, possibly improving their postseason chances.
Result: One playoff round
New York Knicks (57-25)
20 of 31
Seeding: No. 2 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: NBA title
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Owed to Brooklyn Nets
The Knicks weren't ready to reinvest in Julius Randle and had a significant hole at center. Karl-Anthony Towns isn't a dominant defensive force, but he's one of the better offensive bigs in the league. He changes how the Knicks can play offensively, and coach Tom Thibodeau will build a defensive scheme that works around Towns.
New York should slot second in the standings to just the Celtics, and the two should be the favorites to duke it out deep into the playoffs.
Result: Eastern Conference Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
21 of 31
Seeding: No. 1 (Western Conference)
Best Case: Championship
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own (or Houston Rockets, LA Clippers via swap)
Will the Thunder be ready to win when they get deep into the playoffs? Adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein could catapult the team into true contention.
Inexperience together at that level may be the most significant impediment, but the Thunder are the best team on paper in the West and a threat to take on the best in the East in June.
Result: At least conference finals
Orlando Magic (48-34)
22 of 31
Seeding: No. 6 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Second Round
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Own
The Magic returned to the playoffs last season but struggled with poor shooting. Adding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as a veteran floor-spacer who can defend should help. Orlando is still on the rise but may not be ready to take on the top teams in the East.
Result: First or second round
Philadelphia 76ers (50-32)
23 of 31
Seeding: No. 5 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Championship
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Top-six-protected (owed to Oklahoma City Thunder)
There's a universe where the Sixers are healthy for most of the year and destroy all comers in the playoffs. That may not be our universe, however, and the team has fallen short with critical postseason injuries (or miscues) that have derailed every run.
Paul George joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey may be league-altering.
Result: 1-2 playoff rounds
Phoenix Suns (48-34)
24 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 6-8 (Western Conference)
Best Case: Championship
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Owed to Brooklyn Nets (or Houston Rockets via swap)
The Suns are another team with a puncher's chance at winning. More realistically, the team's lack of depth and duplication of talent (three scorers; one basketball) may lead to a similar result as last season.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Suns should finish tied, with tiebreakers determining which team avoids the play-in.
Result: One round
Portland Trail Blazers (21-61)
25 of 31
Seeding: No. 15 (Western Conference)
Best Case: 30 wins
2025 NBA Draft: Top-14-protected (owed to Chicago Bulls)
Of the teams likely to miss the playoffs, the Blazers may be the most challenging project. With veterans like Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons, the team has enough talent to compete alongside prospects like Shaedon Sharpe (due for a big year) and Scoot Henderson.
Portland will lose its first if it makes the postseason (it won't), but that may lead to moves ahead of the trade deadline to focus more on the future and thin out some of the more expensive players (Grant, Ayton and Simons).
This win total could be off by at least five wins, but that will only impact the number of lottery combinations.
Result: Top-14 pick as a non-playoff team
Sacramento Kings (48-34)
26 of 31
Seeding: Tied at Nos. 6-8 (Western Conference)
Best Case: Second round
2025 NBA Draft First-Round Pick: Top-12-protected (owed to Atlanta Hawks)
The Kings may improve with DeMar DeRozan, but the fit is questionable. He's not a three-point shooter, and his offense may not fit on the court with those of Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox. The team needs to improve defensively, and DeRozan will not fix that.
Sacramento has significant firepower that should get it through many games during the regular season, enough to tie the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns in the standings. The challenge with the DeRozan fit and iffy defense may be more of an issue in the postseason.
Result: At most, one playoff round
San Antonio Spurs (30-52)
27 of 31
Seeding: No. 13 (Western Conference)
Best Case: Play-in
2025 NBA Draft: Own
Now that the Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, they are on the path to building a contender. It's not going to happen immediately, but San Antonio should get up to 30 wins (or higher), but not enough to make the play-in.
Result: Lottery
Toronto Raptors (38-44)
28 of 31
Seeding: No. 9 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: Second round
2025 NBA Draft: Own
Toronto will be a competitive franchise this season and may improve throughout the year via trade. Scottie Barnes will have a big season, and continuity with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will help the Raptors make the play-in.
The Raptors still need shooting. The team may not make the playoffs without a trade, but look for an improved result over 2023-24.
Result: Play-in
Utah Jazz (22-60)
29 of 31
Seeding: No. 14 (Western Conference)
Best Case: No. 1 pick
2025 NBA Draft: Top-10-protected (owed to Oklahoma City Thunder)
Lauri Markkanen is an All-Star talent, but the Jazz don't have enough support to win consistently. While the franchise can try to scrap out every win for a mediocre result and a lost draft pick to the Thunder—instead, look for Markkanen to sit at some point as the team commits hard to the tank.
Result: Higher lottery pick
Washington Wizards (16-66)
30 of 31
Seeding: No. 15 (Eastern Conference)
Best Case: No. 1 pick
2025 NBA Draft: Top-10-protected (owed to New York Knicks)
The Wizards have a lot of talent on the roster, but do they fit together cohesively? Not really, and the focus appears to be rebuilding. Look for Washington to shop veterans like Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole, Jonas Valančiūnas, Malcolm Brogdon and others ahead of the deadline.
Losing should start early to protect the first-round pick and get the best shot at Flagg in the lottery.
Result: High lottery
Projected Standings
31 of 31
Eastern Conference
- Boston Celtics (60-22)
- New York Knicks (57-25)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (54-28)
- Indiana Pacers (51-31)
- Philadelphia 76ers (50-32)
- Orlando Magic (48-34)
- Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)
- Miami Heat (42-40)
- Toronto Raptors (38-44)
- Atlanta Hawks (35-47)
- Chicago Bulls (28-54)
- Detroit Pistons (24-58)
- Charlotte Hornets (22-60)
- Brooklyn Nets (17-65)
- Washington Wizards (16-66)
Western Conference
- Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22)
- Dallas Mavericks (53-29)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (53-29) -- tied with Dallas
- New Orleans Pelicans (50-32)
- Denver Nuggets (50-32) -- tied with New Orleans
- Phoenix Suns (48-34)
- Sacramento Kings (48-34) -- tied with Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers (48-34) -- tied with Suns, Kings
- Houston Rockets (44-38)
- Golden State Warriors (42-40)
- Memphis Grizzlies (37-45)
- LA Clippers (36-46)
- San Antonio Spurs (30-52)
- Utah Jazz (22-60)
- Portland Trail Blazers (21-61)
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
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