While basketball fans got some kicks out of the NBA Summer League and games at the Paris Olympics, nothing whets their appetite quite like the NBA proper getting underway. There’s been plenty of excitement across the offseason, with some big trades bolstering teams, albeit it arguably lacked one of those blockbuster trades that moved the dial.
As most NBA fans are acutely aware, the Boston Celtics did little in terms of trades this past few months, nor did they need to. The 18-time champs are heavily favored to repeat their 2024 Championship victory. Priced around +300 in the NBA odds to win title no.19, the consensus is that the Celtics are the team to beat once again.
Yet, there are several teams that could upset the Boston juggernaut. In fact, when you look at what statisticians are saying, the Celtics have around a 25% chance of retaining. That’s great in sports betting terms, but it also means statistically they are more likely not to win the Championship and that “someone else” has a 75% chance. But who could that “someone else” be? Let’s look at the main candidates:
The Anointed Challengers
If you’ve browsed through basketball media over the past few months, you’ll be well aware that a lot of experts are hot on the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s with good reason, too, as the team has strengthened its hand in the offseason, adding, among others, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. They remain the second-youngest team in the NBA, but they are tipped to be the best in the West this season. Inexperience may cost them, however.
A Rivalry Renewed
There’s always been a Boston-New York rivalry across sports. Sure, it’s a little more heated in baseball, but many think the New York Knicks have built something that can put a wrinkle in Boston’s East Coast hegemony. Much will depend on how the Karl-Anthony Towns trade comes off in favor of New York, but the Knicks have gone from being perceived as a good NBA team to a bona fide contender.
The Previous Champions
The Denver Nuggets haven’t gone away, you know. Despite Playoff disappointment last season, the Nuggets still had the joint-second-best record in the NBA. And with Nikola Jokic, they probably have the best player in the league. Head coach Michael Malone is doing a bit of tinkering, and he has a bit of a wildcard in Russell Westbrook to use this season.
Lean, Mean, and Hungry
One of the more interesting stories over the summer was Joel Embiid’s dramatic weight loss. The 2023 MVP is said to have shed close to 30lbs. Embiid looks locked in for this season despite some health issues, and he is vocal about the chances of his team, the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s getting to the point where the Sixers have to show they have more than potential.
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Going One Better
What do NBA Finals runners-up need to do to go one better the next season? They need to improve. Adding Klay Thompson is an interesting move for Dallas. While the veteran isn’t expected to put up vintage numbers, the move suits him, and it can help unlock the Mav’s star trio of Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II. They have improved, but whether it’s enough to catch up on a Celtics’ team that never really broke a sweat defeating the Mavs last season is another matter.
The Forgotten Challengers
Are people sleeping on the Timberwolves? They made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season, doing a job on Jokic and the Nuggets along the way. Some have questioned whether the Wolves got the wrong end of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade and whether Julius Randle will fit. But they have Anthony Edwards, as well as Rudy Gobert. If all key pieces stay healthy, they will be in the mix again.
