BACKPanini Previews and Predicts the 2024-25 NBA Season
Written by Connor Zimmerlee
After an offseason filled with blockbuster trades, marquee free agent signings and plenty of drama, the NBA regular season is officially upon us. The new slate kicks off on Oct. 22, with the reigning champions Boston Celtics hosting the new-look New York Knicks.
With plenty to unpack and a lot to look forward to throughout the league, we’ve got you covered. So sit back and read through our preview of the highly anticipated 2024-25 NBA season.
Two storylines to watch:
- Can Boston repeat?
On paper, the Celtics are the favorites to win the championship again this season. Not only are they the defending champions, but they also have another year of continuity as a group that will go a long way towards their aspirations to repeat.
That being said, the Eastern Conference is no breeze. It is littered with stars, from the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in Milwaukee to the newly stacked roster of the New York Knicks. Oh, and lest we forget the Philadelphia 76ers, guided by former MVP Joel Embiid.
The road back to the Finals didn’t get any easier for the Celtics, and they will certainly be battle tested if they can get back.
- Faces in new places
Players changing teams during the offseason, whether via trade or free agent signing, is an inevitability. Still, seeing certain guys in a different uniform will always cause people to pause as their brain processes the change in scenery. For this season, two distinct names come to mind.
The first name we need to mention is Klay Thompson. After a storied career with the Golden State Warriors, the decorated star will sport a new shade of blue this campaign as he laces up his sneakers for the Dallas Mavericks. Elsewhere, Karl-Anthony Towns is no longer going to be draining clutch buckets for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Instead, he’ll join the Knicks in their pursuit of a championship.
Other notable names on the move include Paul George, Mikal Bridges, Julius Randle, Dejounte Murray, Alex Caruso, Tyus Jones and Russell Westbrook.
MVP winner prediction
Luka Dončić – Dallas Mavericks
Sometimes the safe pick is the obvious pick. In the case of picking who will bring home the MVP this season, that same logic applies. There are plenty of viable candidates this upcoming season, including Nikola Jokić trying to win it in back-to-back campaigns for the second time, as well as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going for his first.
Ultimately, though, this is the time for Doncic to claim his first of potentially multiple MVPs. He does everything at an elite level. Scoring inside, draining treys, dishing out dimes and snatching rebounds at a prolific clip. You name it, the Mavericks’ superstar does it. Fresh off a Finals run, he should take yet another step forward and cement his place atop the NBA’s elite.
NBA Finals winner prediction
Denver Nuggets over the New York Knicks
Parity is at an all-time high across the league. A plethora of superstars and their teammates are spread out across various teams in both conferences, with several teams viewed as legitimate contenders to reach the top of the NBA mountain and claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
However, only one team can do so. That team? We’re going with the Denver Nuggets, led by the three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Opposing him from the Eastern Conference will be the New York Knicks, with their bevy of offseason moves fueling a deep playoff run. Jokic, though, will get his second ring as well as his second Finals MVP award.
Wherever the anticipated NBA season takes us, stick with Panini for exclusive autos, eye-catching product releases and a plethora of Instant cards. Happy hoops!
