Yaron Weitzmann
FOX Sports NBA Writer
Melissa Rohlin
FOX Sports NBA Writer
The 2024-25 NBA season begins Tuesday, and the FOX Sports NBA employees is locking in its predictions earlier than the video games start.
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed final season because the No. 1 seed within the Western Conference, sending a message to the league that their younger core could also be forward of schedule. Can they duplicate their success this season, or will a sleeping big within the west rise from their relaxation?
Let’s check out what our specialists must say:
1. The Alone AND Lakers each fired their coaches after first-round eliminations in final yr’s playoffs. Which staff is almost definitely to profit from a change within the bench? Explain your reply.
Yaron Weitzmann: Mike Budenholzer coached 801 common season video games. His groups have received 484. For those that need assistance with the mathematics, that is simply over 60%. If you need to criticize Bud for a few of his poor playoff outcomes, that is positive (although it is price mentioning that he received a title in Milwaukee), however there might not be a greater common season coach within the NBA. Combine his acumen with the Suns’ expertise and you’ve got a mixture that might very effectively result in a top-four seed within the West.
Melissa Rohlin: I’m going right here with the Lakers. Morale is completely different on the staff this yr. Last yr, gamers had been disillusioned and pissed off with Darvin Ham’s frequent lineup adjustments and there was clearly a breakdown in belief and communication. During this preseason, there’s a completely different really feel, with gamers praising JJ Redick’s preparation and diligence. His fashion appears to coexist higher with the Lakers and there’s a palpable pleasure from the gamers to work with Redick, a former participant who’s extensively thought of to have an excellent basketball thoughts however who had by no means coached at an expert, collegiate stage and even at the highschool stage earlier than he’ll obtain the NBA’s high teaching job this summer time.
2. Three Western Conference heavyweights misplaced big-name names in free company over the summer time: the Clippers (Paolo Giorgio), THE Warriors (Klay Thompson) and the Nuggets (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope). Rank every staff based mostly on how effectively positioned they’re to compete with out stated participant and clarify your considering.
Weitzman: I hated the Nuggets’ offseason and their possession’s refusal to spend cash. Losing KCP will harm, hHoweverthe Nuggets nonetheless have Nikola Jokic and so long as he is there they are a contender.
The Warriors are in a unique boat. Seeing Klay in one other uniform can be bizarre, however it will not harm them on the court docket. The Warriors will be capable to give Jonathan Kuminga extra minutes and pictures, and the addition of free agent De’Anthony Melton will strengthen their perimeter protection if he can get wholesome.
To me, the Clippers are on the surface wanting in, not simply with this group however by way of the playoffs. Their bets seem like that Kawhi Leonard can keep wholesome and that James Harden can nonetheless play offense. These are two bets I would not have made.
Rohlin: Nuggets no. 1, Warriors no. 2 and Clippers no. 3.=
When it involves the Nuggets, do not get me flawed, KCP performed a giant position in them successful the championship. He’s a gritty defender, a dependable 3-point shooter and a seasoned veteran who is aware of what it takes to get there all the way in which. But the Nuggets nonetheless have a lot of their core, together with Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. They ought to be positive.
As for the Warriors, shedding Thompson was stunning however inevitable. He wasn’t the identical after back-to-back ACL and Achilles accidents and felt disrespected when the Warriors did not supply him a most contract extension and his position modified after he helped them win 4 championships. A contemporary begin for each Thompson and the Warriors appears mutually useful for each events. Now, as for the Clippers, with out George I simply do not see how they will compete.
Kawhi Leonard is seemingly at all times injured and James Harden is a wild card. They’ve misplaced their most dependable star of late, and with out George, I do not see them with the ability to maintain their very own within the ultra-competitive West.
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3. After ending because the No. 1 seed within the Western Conference final season, they added the Thunder Alex Caruso AND Isaiah Hartenstein to their depth chart within the offseason. Do the 2 veterans make the Thunder favorites to win the West or are there nonetheless groups price placing forward of them?
Weitzman: Yes, very a lot. This Thunder staff is completely loaded, with all the things you search for in a title contender. OKC has an MVP candidate (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and several other secondary playmakers and shooters (Jalen Wiilliams and Chet Holmgren). He can play massive, he can play small. It has shootings. Wing protection. An ideal coach. The one factor the Thunder haven’t got is deep playoff expertise. That will change this season.
Rohlin: They are on the high, if not number one. Caruso is without doubt one of the most underrated gamers within the league. And Hartenstein is a superb useful resource too. Couple these two with a staff that was already on the rise, led by celebrity Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and you’ve got a staff that might actually make one other massive leap this season, filled with offensive and defensive firepower.
4. After their first remaining look since 2006, i Nonconformists strengthened their perimeter by taking pictures round Luca Doncic AND Kyrie Irving signing Klay Thompson to a three-year, $50 million contract in free company. Will the chance repay for the Mavericks or will they finally have purchaser’s regret?
Weitzman: Klay will give the Mavericks one other offensive weapon, and his capability to harm the protection off the ball makes him an amazing match to play alongside Luka and Kyrie. The drawback can be on the opposite facet of the pitch. Can the Mavericks cease anybody if these three share the ground? If not, will we see an identical scenario to final season the place Klay sometimes will get benched in powerful moments and sulks? This, for me, is the half price .
Rohlin: I actually like this match. Klay helps paved the way for the Mavericks, who confirmed they will actually use some perimeter taking pictures when defenses collapsed on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving final postseason. The indisputable fact that Klay has received 4 championships and may help information Luka also needs to not be underestimated. I agree with Yaron that the issue right here is the Mavericks protection. It’s a disgrace as a result of earlier than his accidents Klay was a really underrated defender. But now I anticipate the Mavericks to grow to be among the finest groups within the West because of their unbelievable offense, however whether or not that can be sufficient to take them so far as they need this postseason is a query mark.
5. For the primary time since 2015, the Timber wolves they are going to enter the season with out their massive protagonist City of Karl-Anthony. Can the Timberwolves replicate final season’s success? Julius Randle as an alternative of KAT or are there issues in Minnesota?
Weitzman: The Timberwolves did not simply commerce KAT for Randle. They additionally acquired Donte DiVincenzo, and can now have extra minutes to offer reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid. Even for those who suppose they misplaced some expertise, and I do not, they definitely greater than made up for it in depth. Combine all of this with the continued rise of Anthony Edwards and an amazing coach in Chris Finch and you’ve got, in my view, a reliable title contender.
Rohlin: Losing Karl-Anthony Towns was a troublesome tablet to swallow for a lot of Timberwolves followers contemplating he had been part of the group’s ups and downs since 2014. But the Timberwolves ought to nonetheless be contenders. They are deep, Randle and DiVincenzo are sturdy additions, and this transfer permits them to have the long-term monetary flexibility to develop younger abilities Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid.
Yaron Weitzman is an NBA author for FOX Sports. He is the writer of “Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers and the Most Daring Trial in the History of Professional Sports.” Follow him on Twitter @YaronWeitzman.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports. He beforehand lined the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter @by Melissarohl.
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