The 2024-25 NBA Season Preview

September 26th, 2024

With the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season right around the corner, we decided that it’s time for another season preview. The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, and they look poised to repeat as champions in 2025. Nikola Jokic is a three-time MVP, and he’s consistently put up tremendous numbers throughout this decade. The Rookie of the Year award is a wide open race this year, and anybody could win it in 2025. We decided to make some preseason award picks in addition to picking who will likely win it all for the 2024-25 season.

Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic are two of the best players and are elite NBA superstars in today’s game, and both will lead their teams to make deep runs in the 2025 postseason.
(Photo: Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press, via Sportsnet)

As we are going to be in for another fun NBA season, let’s get to our preseason award picks, and we also projected how the NBA season may go. With all of this in mind, there will be another exciting NBA season in store for us.

Luka Doncic had a tremendous 2024 playoffs, and he’s been a dominant player in this league, and a combination of factors could enable him to be the NBA MVP in 2025.
(Photo: Nate Billings/Associated Press, via KGET.com)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 NBA MVP:
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic has put up tremendous numbers over the years, and he’ll have even more help on the offensive end this year with Klay Thompson coming in to help him and Kyrie Irving, and with the NBA not usually giving so many MVP awards to one player for their career, Doncic could be due for an MVP season.

2^nd: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
3^rd: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
4^th: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
5^th: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Others Receiving Votes:
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Jrue Holiday’s versatility, defensive prowess, and high basketball IQ makes him our pick to win the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025.
(Photo: Michael Dwyer/Associated Press, via Boston.com)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year:
Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics

Jrue Holiday is the best point of attack defender for the past four or five years. He has the versatility to defend his own position, and he’s very comfortable guarding bigger players on the wings, so he can also be used to defend elite wings at times. His strong defensive skills combined with his defensive versatility and IQ makes him our pick to be the best defensive player for this season.

2^nd: OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
3^rd: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
4^th: Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder
5^th: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

Others Receiving Votes:
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves, Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

Reed Sheppard is a smart, sharpshooting guard whose strong freshman season and summer league performances combined with having a very solid skill set makes him the early favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2025. (Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Sports, via Sports Illustrated)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year:
Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

Reed Sheppard is an agile, skilled sharpshooting point guard that has a knack for making sound decisions when he is on the court. He excels at making plays on both ends of the floor, and he is a player that is wise beyond his years, as his polished skill set and feel for the game could enable him to take home the Rookie of the Year award in 2025.

2^nd: Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
3^rd: Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
4^th: Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
5^th: Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat

Others Receiving Votes:
Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks, Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings, Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves

After much deliberation, Alex Caruso is our preseason pick to win the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2025. (Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/USA Today Sports, via Sports Illustrated)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year:
Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder

Alex Caruso is a very efficient playmaker that brings strong defensive skills, as he also brings sound playmaking and shooting to the table, and he will instantly help the Thunder become an elite defensive team this season, and Caruso will make a big impact to the Thunder off the bench this season.

2^nd: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves
3^rd: Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
4^th: Al Horford, Boston Celtics
5^th: Josh Hart, New York Knicks

Others Receiving Votes:
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings

Jalen Williams is our preseason pick to win the Most Improved Player award in 2025.
(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports, via Sports Illustrated)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year:
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Over the past several years, an All-Star has surprisingly won the Most Improved Player award, so Jalen Williams could be that All-Star caliber player that could be next in line to win this award. He’s made significant strides with each season he’s played in this league, and another breakout season could allow him to make his first All-Star team, as his strong all-around skills will help the Thunder this season.

2^nd: Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
3^rd: Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
4^th: Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
5^th: Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors

Others Receiving Votes:
Max Christie, Los Angeles Lakers, Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors, Jarace Walker, Indiana Pacers, Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs, Anthony Black, Orlando Magic

Joe Mazzulla did a great job of leading the Celtics to win the title in 2024, and he is our preseason pick to win the Coach of the Year award in 2025. (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images, via WBOY.com)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year:
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

Joe Mazzulla has helped the Boston Celtics become a formidable team on both ends of the floor, as his leadership skills, strong substitution patterns, and ability to coach his team have made him the best coach in the NBA right now. He helped the Celtics win the title in 2024, and that could enable him to win the Coach of the Year award in 2025.

2^nd: Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings
3^rd: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
4^th: Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
5^th: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder

Others Receiving Votes:
Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks, Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs, J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons

Sam Presti’s shrewd moves in the offseason helped fortify and strengthen the Thunder’s team even more, and as the Thunder have become title contenders, Presti is our preseason pick to win the Executive of the Year award in 2025. (Photo: Nathan J. Fish/The Oklahoman)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 NBA Executive of the Year:
Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder

Sam Presti helped the Thunder land two big acquisitions over the offseason, as they traded to get another defensive stopper in Alex Caruso to make their already stellar defensive team even more formidable, and they also added a strong interior player in Isaiah Hartenstein to beef up their interior play. On top of that, they were able to select a promising young rookie in Nikola Topic in the draft, and their other rookies Ajay Mitchell and Dillon Jones both played well in the Summer League. With their string of sterling acquisitions, Presti has helped make the Thunder a title contender.

2^nd: Leon Rose, New York Knicks
3^rd: Monte McNair, Sacramento Kings
4^th: Brian Wright, San Antonio Spurs
5^th: Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers

Others Receiving Votes:
Nico Harrison, Dallas Mavericks, James Jones, Phoenix Suns, Jeff Weltman, Orlando Magic

Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic are two very skilled and talented superstars that made our 2025 preseason All-NBA 1st Team. (Photo: Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images, via Sports Illustrated)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 All-NBA 1^st Team:

C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 All-NBA 2^nd Team:

C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
F Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
F Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2023-24 All-NBA 3^rd Team:

F Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
F Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
G Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
G Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Others Receiving Votes:
C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs, C Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James and Stephen Curry were fantastic in the 2024 Olympics, and both players are living legends, as they will make the 2025 NBA All-Star Game a treat to watch. (Photo: Lapresse, via Marca.com)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 Eastern Conference All-Star Team:

C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
G Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
G Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
F Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
C Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
G Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
F Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
F Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
F Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
G Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 Western Conference All-Star Team:

C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
F Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
F Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
F Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
C Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
F Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (projected to be injured and to not play)
G Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets* (projected injury replacement)

Projected Eastern Conference All-Star Head Coach:
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics

Projected Western Conference All-Star Head Coach:
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder

Others Receiving Votes:
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers, Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics, Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Reed Sheppard and Dalton Knecht are two players we picked to be on our preseason 2025 All-Rookie first team. (Photo: David Becker/Associated Press, via Los Angeles Times)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 All-Rookie 1^st Team:

C Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
F Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat
F Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
G Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
G Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 All-Rookie 2^nd Team:

C Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
F Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
F Terrence Shannon Jr., Minnesota Timberwolves
G Baylor Scheierman, Boston Celtics
G Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings

Others Receiving Votes:
F Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, F Tristan Da Silva, Orlando Magic

Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are two of the best defenders in the league, and they have helped Boston become the league’s best defensive team in the NBA. (Photo: USA Today Sports via Reuters Con, via New York Post)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 All-Defensive 1^st Team:

C Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
F OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
F Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2024-25 All-Defensive 2^nd Team:

C Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
F Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
F Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
G Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
G Derrick White, Boston Celtics

Others Receiving Votes:
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets, Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Projected 2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings

Boston Celtics (58-24)
Cleveland Cavaliers (49-33)
Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)
New York Knicks (45-37)
Indiana Pacers (44-38)
Milwaukee Bucks (44-38)
Miami Heat (42-40)
Orlando Magic (41-41)
Atlanta Hawks (37-45)
Toronto Raptors (30-52)
Charlotte Hornets (30-52)
Chicago Bulls (30-52)
Brooklyn Nets (29-53)
Detroit Pistons (29-53)
Washington Wizards (24-58)

Projected 2024-25 Western Conference Standings

2024-25 Preseason NBA Power Rankings (projected record in parenthesis):

The list may be bound to change as the season progresses, but as for now, that is how the team projections look to start the year.

The New York Knicks have made moves in the offseason to strengthen their team this season, but Boston is the favorite to win it all in 2025. (Photo: Eric Canha/Imagn Images, via Sports Illustrated)

Projected 2025 NBA Playoffs:

After some deliberation and consideration, here is how we project how the 2025 NBA Playoffs may go.

Play-In Tournament – Eastern Conference:

(7) Miami Heat defeats (8) Orlando Magic, Miami advances
(9) Atlanta Hawks defeats (10) Toronto Raptors

(8) Orlando Magic defeats (9) Atlanta Hawks, Orlando advances

Play-In Tournament – Western Conference:

(7) Los Angeles Lakers defeats (8) Golden State Warriors, LA Lakers advances
(9) New Orleans Pelicans defeats (10) Los Angeles Clippers

(8) Golden State Warriors defeats (9) New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State advances

1st Round – Eastern Conference:

(1) Boston Celtics defeats (8) Orlando Magic, 4-1
(4) New York Knicks defeats (5) Indiana Pacers, 4-2

(3) Philadelphia 76ers defeats (6) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-3
(7) Miami Heat defeats (2) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-3

1st Round – Western Conference:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (8) Golden State Warriors, 4-1
(5) Minnesota Timberwolves defeats (4) Sacramento Kings, 4-2

(3) Dallas Mavericks defeats (6) Phoenix Suns, 4-2
(2) Denver Nuggets defeats (7) Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1

2nd Round – Eastern Conference:

(1) Boston Celtics defeats (4) New York Knicks, 4-2
(3) Philadelphia 76ers defeats (7) Miami Heat, 4-2

2nd Round – Western Conference:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (5) Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-2
(3) Dallas Mavericks defeats (2) Denver Nuggets, 4-2

Projected 2025 Eastern Conference Finals:
(1) Boston Celtics defeats (3) Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2

Projected 2025 Western Conference Finals:
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (3) Dallas Mavericks, 4-3

Projected 2025 NBA Finals:
(1) Boston Celtics defeats (1) Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-2

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics look poised to repeat as NBA champions in 2025, if all goes as expected. (Photo: Alonzo Adams/USA Today Sports, via Hoopshype)

Projected 2025 NBA Champions:
Boston Celtics

Projected 2025 NBA Finals MVP:
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Those are our predictions for the upcoming season. It will be fun and exciting to watch the upcoming NBA season, and it will begin on October 22nd. Thanks for reading.