The 2024-25 NBA Finals: Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers.
Given the best way free company is enjoying out and given the altering dynamics of the league the place six completely different groups have gained the title previously six seasons, that is as probably a Finals matchup as any.
Now, will it’s Thunder-76ers for the title in 2025? That may play out over 82 regular-season video games and two months of playoff basketball – and naturally, trades and accidents alter the panorama.
However within the early days of free company, the Thunder and Sixers have made strikes that put them in nice place for this season.
Thunder-Sixers Finals? The Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves are among the many groups that may attempt to stop that from taking place.
Listed here are the winners and losers via the early days of free company:
NBA free company winners
Philadelphia 76ers
In win-now mode, the 76ers needed a high-quality wing and a long-term deal for restricted free agent and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey. They acquired that and extra in a free company interval that they had focused as the fitting time to make important strikes. The Sixers added All-Star ahead Paul George, who had a improbable 2023-24 season, and agreed to a long-time extension with the 23-year-old Maxey. With All-Star and 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid, the Sixers have arguably the perfect guard-wing-center trio within the league. They introduced again Kelly Oubre, added depth at middle in Andre Drummond and depth at guard in Eric Gordon. Plus, they’ve 5 tradeable first-round picks if the fitting alternative arises.
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Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
In 2021-22, the Thunder gained 24 video games. Final season, they gained 57 video games and are arrange for the current and future with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. They traded for Alex Caruso and added Isaiah Hartenstein in free company. These two additions match the Thunder’s philosophy of exhausting work and professionalism with out sacrificing monetary flexibility or disrupting the event of their three younger stars. And the Thunder nonetheless have a treasure trove of draft capital. They’re in place to be among the finest groups within the West via the top of this decade, at the least. Including a title is a part of the mission.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are rising within the East. How excessive can they go? We’re about to search out out. They landed one of many prime free brokers out there, getting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to depart Denver. He offers the Magic championship expertise (titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and Nuggets) and a two-way participant who offers taking pictures the Magic want. He shot 40.6% on 3-pointers in 2023-24. The veteran is a exceptional story. The Pistons renounced his rights in 2017 and his profession was in jeopardy. He has became a precious participant and Caldwell-Pope and his agent, Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul, have negotiated $150 million in contracts previously season years.
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New York Knicks
The Knicks added Mikal Bridges by way of commerce and re-signed OG Anunoby to a roster that additionally consists of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Mitchell Robinson. They’re higher geared up to compete with Boston for the highest spot within the Japanese Convention, and the Knicks may have an improved protection. Will they’ve sufficient offensive creators?
Boston Celtics
Not often is the established order adequate. Except you’re the Celtics who captured the 2024 title with 64 regular-season victories and a 16-3 playoff report. They reached extensions with Derrick White and Jayson Tatum (record-setting contract), and have their beginning lineup of White, Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation secured for at the least the subsequent two seasons. No title is assured, however the Celtics are in prime place to be a part of the dialog even with that huge payroll that may pay these 5 gamers almost $200 million beginning with the 2025-26 season. Tatum and NBA Finals MVP Brown will enhance, too.
Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama, the 2023-24 Rookie of the 12 months, will proceed to develop, and in 2024-25, he’ll get the bonus of enjoying alongside future Corridor of Fame level guard Chris Paul, who reached a one-year, $11 million deal to play for the Spurs. Wembanyama will be taught from Paul, accelerating his progress. The Spurs will not be contenders subsequent season, however they’re headed in the fitting course, and it gained’t be lengthy earlier than they’re close to the highest of the West. Or earlier than Wembanyama strikes into first-team All-NBA territory.
Japanese Convention
The East is getting higher. Possibly inferior to the West 1-10, however undoubtedly higher. The Knicks, Magic, 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers (don’t overlook they reached the convention finals) needs to be higher, and the Celtics aren’t going anyplace. Even when they don’t match or surpass final season’s wins whole, the arrogance they’ve from profitable the title greater than makes up for just a few extra regular-season losses in order that they’re prepared for a protracted playoff run. And might the Miami Warmth return to convention prominence? Will there be a shock staff? Regardless, the East made strides, and the champ resides within the convention.
Price mentioning: Dallas Mavericks (getting Klay Thompson), Cleveland Cavaliers (extending Donovan Mitchell), Dejounte Murray (traded from Atlanta to New Orleans)
NBA free company losers
Golden State Warriors
The dynasty that gained 4 titles in eight seasons that includes Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Inexperienced is over. Thompson left the Warriors for the Dallas Mavericks. Whereas that is finest for the Warriors within the lengthy flip and for Thompson within the quick time period, it’s nonetheless a downer for the Warriors. All issues come to an finish, and sad endings are a part of the story.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers retained James Harden and nonetheless have Kawhi Leonard, however it’s exhausting to see how the Clippers improved from a 51-win staff with the lack of Paul George to the 76ers. They’re transferring into a brand new $2 billion enviornment, Intuit Dome, and Inglewood, and proprietor Steve Ballmer prefers to have a staff that may compete for a title. Trying on the panorama of the West, the Clippers aren’t among the many prime 5 groups.
Denver Nuggets
A 12 months in the past, the Nuggets had been in celebration mode, having gained the franchise’s first title. The hangover comes quick and lasts. Denver misplaced Bruce Brown after the championship season and misplaced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after a 57-win season this 12 months. It’s understood the Nuggets needed to keep up monetary flexibility however two key gamers from a championship staff are gone, and so they haven’t discovered equal replacements but whereas different groups within the West acquired higher. Championship home windows open slowly and shut rapidly.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns had been 49-33 and in fifth place within the West and had been swept by Minnesota within the first spherical of the playoffs. Two (Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal) of their three primary gamers (Devin Booker is the opposite) are of their 30s, and it’s exhausting to see what the Suns did that made them higher, exhausting to see a path to getting higher and exhausting to see the Suns as any higher than the fifth-best staff.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks don’t have the power to make important roster strikes and not using a main commerce. They’ve $151.4 million in wage dedicated to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez for 2024-25. Trying across the East, the Bucks see groups bettering and presumably passing them within the standings. It’s Boston, Philly, New York in that order with Cleveland and Orlando rising. Similar to Denver, are the Bucks watching the championship window shut?
Incomplete
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers and LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $104 million deal. That is an excellent begin, however the Lakers nonetheless want roster enhancements. D’Angelo Russell exercised his participant possibility for 2024-25, so proper now, the Lakers have basically the identical staff as they did final 12 months (apart from drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James) and haven’t made the roster adjustments that elevate them within the West after shedding to Denver within the first spherical in April. At the least not but. Let’s give the Lakers a minute in free company and thru July to see what they will do within the commerce market.
Observe NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt