NBA 2024-25 predictions: Luka for MVP? And will the Knicks win it all?

What I Can't Wait For Most…

I’m excited to see how Anthony Edwards develops following his initial experience in the playoffs and a summer spent gaining inspiration from playing with his idols. With Karl-Anthony Towns no longer on the team, Edwards stands as the only No. 1 overall pick left in Minnesota, making him the face of the franchise. He’s set to have an incredible season ahead. CDL

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry are trying to follow in Tom Brady's footsteps. Even though these three are still performing at an impressive level and showing no signs of slowing down, a new generation of talent is beginning to rise. Much like Brady did in his last years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, LeBron, KD, and Steph will put pressure on the younger NBA players to show that their dominance is coming to an end.

During the second half of last season, it felt like the NBA moved away from calling minor fouls and began to encourage a more physical style of play. Referees seemed to put their whistles away more often. Having grown up watching basketball in the 1990s, when games sometimes ended with scores in the 60s, I don’t think we should return to that level of low scoring. However, I do hope the league will emphasize a more physical game and curb players like James Harden from manipulating officials into awarding countless foul calls.

Major Offseason Changes Unveiled

The most eye-catching move this summer was undoubtedly the exchange of Towns and Julius Randle between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves. However, what really piques my interest is the Knicks' initial major trade of the season: bringing Mikail Bridges over from Brooklyn. Bridges fills a crucial gap for the Knicks, and now they seem ready to challenge Boston effectively. CDL

A fresh sense of optimism for the Knicks. Since 1973, fans of the Knicks have kicked off most seasons with unrealistic hopes of clinching the championship. However, this year might actually turn that aspiration into reality. With Jalen Brunson performing at an All-NBA caliber and the recent signings of Bridges and Towns, the Knicks find themselves in an excellent position to challenge the Celtics for the title.

The biggest headlines came from Paul George heading to Philadelphia and Karl-Anthony Towns joining the New York team. Personally, I'm more intrigued by the Towns move. However, as a basketball enthusiast, I’m particularly excited about what’s happening in Oklahoma City. To secure a championship, teams often need to make smart decisions with their supporting players, and the Thunder's acquisition of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein is a significant win for them.

The Surprise Package Is Here!

While dedicated fans have talked about this extensively, it’s safe to say that the basketball community at large seems to have overlooked the Memphis Grizzlies. This is a misstep, especially considering that Ja Morant is fueled by a desire for redemption, GG Jackson has really come into his own this past season, and Dillon Brooks has been swapped out for the equally fiery yet more experienced Marcus Smart. Expect Memphis to be a definite playoff contender. CDL

The Grizzlies and Morant's comeback. It's important to remember that prior to Morant's off-court issues and his injury sidelining him for the season, the Grizzlies held the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference. If Morant can get back to his best and avoid any further distractions outside of basketball, the Grizzlies have what it takes to make a significant playoff push.

The Orlando Magic are set to have an impressive opening, possibly starting the season with a record of around 20 wins and 5 losses. This strong performance might lead fans and analysts to speculate on whether they could be serious contenders for the championship. Although they probably won’t end up in that position, the team will capture the hearts of basketball enthusiasts and emerge as a prime destination for stars who may be unhappy with their current teams, such as Giannis.

LeBron And Bronny James: A Unique Bond

It's pretty exciting, but it's also leading to a lot of unnecessary fuss. The younger James is likely to spend the majority, if not all, of his season playing in the G-League. The amount of commotion surrounding a late second-round draft pick is exaggerated. CDL

It's a moment to treasure, as it might not come around again. The unique occurrence of a father and son playing together in the NBA will make their first regular-season game together unmissable. However, critics may not hold back as Bronny navigates the challenges of being a rookie.

Adorable, pleasant, and rich in history. However, in the grand scheme of things, these aspects won't play a significant role in achieving the main objective. I'm optimistic about Bronny’s potential and hope he gets the chance to grow as a player. Arguing about favoritism in this situation seems irrelevant; it just doesn't hold much weight when it comes to the games themselves. That said, if JJ Redick can help Bronny develop into a solid player, that would definitely be noteworthy.

One Bold Prediction For The Future

Denver might be facing bigger challenges than most realize. They've lost several key players who contributed significantly, and now they’re bringing in Russell Westbrook, known for his brief adjustment period. Meanwhile, the competition in the Western Conference has strengthened, and it will require an incredible performance from Nikola Jokić to prevent them from experiencing their toughest season in years. CDL

The Lakers are going to have a tough time securing a spot in the playoffs. While LeBron and Anthony Davis are likely to maintain their impressive All-NBA performances, they probably won't be able to outpace the Warriors for the final playoff position. This could mean that Redick's inaugural season as head coach for the Lakers might also be his last—a possibility he mentioned with a hint of humor.

Jimmy Butler is likely to be traded soon. His era with the team seems to be coming to an end. He has a history of leaving teams under tense circumstances, and the Heat are hesitant to offer him a large contract as they look to rebuild and he nears his late 30s. If they run into difficulties this season, they’ll entertain trade offers, and there will certainly be teams eager to acquire Butler in exchange for a strong deal.

NBA Awards voters often seem to enjoy a bit of cruelty. They tend to appreciate players who face significant challenges on their path to winning the MVP award—overcoming close defeats is usually viewed positively. By those standards, Luka Dončić has certainly earned his shot. I believe he’s finally going to take home the MVP title this year. CDL

Anthony Edwards has shown he’s ready to take on the role of the league’s new star after the Timberwolves’ journey to the Western Conference finals and his standout performance at the Paris Olympics with Team USA. With Towns out of the lineup, Edwards’ scoring is expected to rise significantly as he leads the Wolves toward a top-three finish in the West. It will be clear by 2024-25 that Ant Man has ascended to superstardom.

Luka Dončić is set to shine. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum will surely put forth their arguments, it feels like this is Luka's moment. The Mavericks are expected to perform exceptionally well, and Luka is at the center of it all. SGA tends to keep a lower profile, while Tatum benefits from being part of a strong roster. Together, they will likely secure a place in the top five, alongside the likes of Jokic and Brunson.

Eastern Conference Playoff Teams Preview

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers. CDL.

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat.

Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat. JU

Playoff Teams In The Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors – these are the teams competing in the league this season. CDL.

Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors.

Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers. JU

The New York Knicks triumphed over the Boston Celtics. CDL

Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks. AS

Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks. JU

Oklahoma City Thunder emerged victorious against the Minnesota Timberwolves. CDL

Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder. AS

Oklahoma City Thunder defeats Dallas Mavericks. JU

The New York Knicks have a record of 4-3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While it might seem a bit optimistic to assert that the Knicks are poised to claim the championship, they do have some impressive new talent and have held onto their strong roster from the previous season. Their players bring valuable playoff experience, possess both offensive and defensive skills, and have a true star in Jalen Brunson. The Thunder are definitely a strong team and will perform well, which is why I see them emerging from a competitive Western Conference. However, they still need another year before they can expect to lift the trophy. CDL

The Boston Celtics triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 4-2 series victory. The upcoming NBA finals will showcase a clash between Edwards’ Timberwolves and the Celtics, spearheaded by Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Edwards possesses incredible skills and grit, ensuring that the Celtics will face challenges at every turn. However, the Timberwolves are likely to be overpowered by the Celtics’ bench strength and the standout abilities of Tatum, Brown, Holiday, and Porzingis. This will lead the Celtics to secure their second consecutive NBA title, marking the first back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors.

Boston Celtics 4-3 Oklahoma City Thunder. This NBA season is packed with skill and depth, making the regular season and playoffs quite demanding. However, at the top of the Eastern and Western Conferences, there are two teams that stand out with even greater talent: Boston and OKC. While teams like the revamped Knicks and last year's Western Conference champions, the Mavericks, will certainly challenge them, it won't be enough to take them down. Expect lengthy seven-game series throughout, including in the finals. Ultimately, Boston will secure consecutive championships. JU