Welcome to the 2024-2025 NBA season! Nothing rings in the beginning of a new season than talking about the end of said season. It is never too early to start to speculate, overreact, and hype up teams that could potentially take home the Larry O’Brien trophy. Each week I will update my list as to who I think are legit contenders to win the NBA Finals this year. Now, I did say legit. So I’m going to try my best to not jump on a team’s bandwagon too soon or jump off the bandwagon too soon. That being said, here is my list of NBA Contenders for NBA Tip-off Week.
NBA Contenders
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics
I mean, it’s pretty easy to see even before the season started they were going to be contenders. They currently have one of the best, if not the best, roster in the league, they still have a great coach in Joe Mazzulla, and they have impeccable chemistry. They are returning 15 players from their championship team this year, had the most players from a single team on the Olympics roster (yes, Derrick White was a better fit than Jaylen Brown), and still have both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum leading them. They very well could win 60 games again this year.
Milwaukee Bucks
I’m not fully giving up on Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, yet. Just look at the Dallas Mavericks last year and see what patience and time can do for two superstars learning how to play together. I believe the chemistry with Giannis and Dame will get better and, hopefully, they’ll have a healthy Khris Middleton. Last year showed how valuable Middleton was to the team. Especially late in games. This also allows Doc Rivers a full offseason working with the team and the ability to start the season as their coach. Pair all of that with an underrated offseason adding role players such as Taurean Prince, Delon Wright, and Gary Trent Jr., and the Bucks have a fair chance.
New York Knicks
New York Knicks fans have been waiting a while for this, but I fully believe they are a contender entering the season. They had a great offseason acquiring Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and resigning OG Anunoby. While I worry about the KAT trade as a whole, you can’t deny the offensive juggernaut that they have made. They have the outside shooting and inside scoring to keep up with and compete with Boston. They should also be walking around with a chip on their shoulder with how last year ended when just about everybody on that team went down with injuries. Hopefully, Tom Thibodeau has finally learned his lesson.
Fringe Teams
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers, on paper, look good. I just worry about their consistency and if Darius Garland and Evan Mobley can be the players they need them to be to be actual contenders.
Philadelphia 76ers
They have a great big three, but I don’t trust Joel Embiid or Paul George in the playoffs. Will Embiid be healthy and in shape and will Playoff P make an appearance for the first time since his Indiana days? I’m not buying it yet.
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
It’s always hard to believe a team will repeat even getting to the NBA finals. However, the Dallas Mavericks did what they needed to do this offseason to make that a possibility. While the Mavericks lost important players like Josh Green and Derrick Jones Jr., they reloaded with role players who, I believe, are better in Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and, of course, the biggest acquisition, Klay Thompson. Add in the experience they now have, a full season with Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, and the fact they still have the perennial MVP candidate in Luka Doncic. The Mavs look even better than last year.
Denver Nuggets
Anytime you have a three-time, probably should have been four-time, MVP then you have a chance. The best thing the Nuggets have going for themselves is Nikola Jokic. After that, they are just a well-oiled machine of a team that can be really hard to defend when they are all working together. The assault of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr. hits all areas of the courts and forces you to guard the entire game.
Minnesota Timberwolves
This one was a close one to me, but I still think they are contenders. I think they actually got better in the offseason with the acquisition of Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle for Karl Anthony Towns. They still have Anthony Edwards and one other motivating factor. Their championship window is closing faster than we realize. Between the massive amounts of money owed right now and the still-to-come ownership change that has promised to cut back on finances, they won’t be able to afford everybody for much longer. Expect them to be aggressive to get that trophy soon.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are arguably the best team in the West. Their roster is young and have an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. On top of that, they somehow got better. You can expect Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to take another step, but what I think will make or break them are their offseason acquisitions, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Fringe Team
Phoenix Suns
On paper, they look unstoppable and the addition of Tyus Jones gives them an actual point guard. However, I don’t trust them yet. Also, who is going to be the leader of that team? Will Kevin Durant finally step up or someone else?
Alright, come by next week and see if there are any changes to my contenders list! Did I miss a team you think is a contender or do you disagree with me? Comment below and discuss!
Main Image: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
