Brian Stewart All NBA seasons have their own surprises, but this one feels different—with rivalries heating up and superteams forming, this upcoming NBA season is shaping up to be a battle of legacies. Last season, a team with a surplus of young talent was crowned champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the continuation of the in-season tournament, a brand-new All-Star format, and fresh broadcasting deals that expand the league’s viewership, the stage is set for this season to be a great one.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith shocking moves like the Celtics shipping away key pieces of their 2023-2024 championship squad, Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. With Kevin Durant traded to the Rockets in a blockbuster 7-team trade, veterans like Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, and Brook Lopez teaming up on the Clippers, and Damian Lillard returning home to the Blazers, there’s plenty of room for an unexpected season to unfold. This NBA Draft was filled with many players who have a high ceiling, but still have plenty of room to grow as they must prove themselves and why they belong in the best basketball league on Earth. Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey are just a few of the names that will be heard around the league from the first game they play in. The maturity and high-level competitiveness that they bring to their teams at such a young age are just a few of the reasons they were drafted within the first five picks of the draft.
This year marks the third year of the Emirates NBA Cup, the league’s in-season tournament designed to deliver undoubtedly competitive action early in the season, months before the playoffs begin. From October 31st to December 16th, all 30 teams will compete in group play, with the semifinals and championship being played in Las Vegas. The In-season tournament has grown into a key subject for fans and teams, as it can provide an early measure of who may be ready to contend for a championship. It is also worth noting that Amazon Prime and NBCUniversal have joined ESPN and ABC as broadcasting partners. Meaning games will now appear across NBC, Peacock, Prime Video, and the traditional ESPN family of networks.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe All-Star game is gaining a whole new look. This year’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles will no longer be the traditional East vs. West game, nor will it have the team captain format. Instead, the plan is to stage a round-robin competition with two U.S. squads against one World team. Played on a Sunday afternoon in Inglewood, this global twist underscores the NBA’s push to market itself as the premier international sports league.
The regular season starts on October 21st with a thrilling doubleheader. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off their championship run, will host the Houston Rockets in Kevin Durant’s return to his old stomping grounds as the Lakers and Warriors face off in the later game that night at Staples Center. On Christmas Day, there are five showcase games, largely spotlighting the Western Conference powers. After that, there are the smaller Holliday games and then the All-Star weekend in mid-February, with the postseason set to begin in mid-April.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe West looks as competitive as last year, if not even better. Oklahoma City stands as the favorite after storming to last season’s title. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. With Houston’s acquisition of Durant and a rapidly developing roster, the Rockets could leap into the second seed. The Denver Nuggets, meanwhile, remain perennial contenders, with Nikola Jokić continuing to redefine what a center can do. Other teams are lurking in the bushes – the Lakers, led by Luka Dončić. Minnesota, anchored by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, looks ready for another deep run. The Clippers’ veteran core refuses to go quietly. The Warriors, though aging, remain dangerous if Stephen Curry and Draymond Green stay healthy. The Dallas Mavericks, banking on rookie phenom Cooper Flagg alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, could surprise. And San Antonio, with Victor Wembanyama and newly added De’Aaron Fox, as well as young star Stephon Castle, might emerge faster than expected.
If the West has clear favorites, the East is defined by unpredictability. Many analysts project Cleveland, New York, and Orlando as the top three. The Cavaliers’ core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley has matured into a balanced force. The Knicks, now under Mike Brown, seek to maximize Jalen Brunson’s leadership. Orlando’s youth movement, led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, could take the next big leap. Behind them lies a crowded middle. Teams like Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Indiana, and Milwaukee can all be expected to have a say in a playoff spot. Still, their health and consistency will determine whether they achieve success or fall short this season.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow let’s talk about predictions. As far as the MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic are the front-runners. For the Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama is highly favored, with Chet Holmgren trailing. The Rookie of the Year award is highlighted in bright colors with Cooper Flagg’s name. Lastly, the Coach of the Year Award is led by Jamahl Mosley, Coach of the Orlando Magic, and Quin Snyder, Coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
This upcoming NBA season represents a year of many changes, more than usual. A league with many traditions is embracing a new era through new tournaments, globalizing its All-Star format, and changing the media aspect. All while names many have grown up on are making way for rising stars. If last season proved Oklahoma City’s arrival, this season will determine whether they can build a dynasty. Houston’s hard bet on Kevin Durant, the East’s search for stability, and the unpredictable impact of rookies like Cooper Flagg all add to the drama. The NBA is entering one of, if not its most transformative season, and I’ll be a major obstacle to continuing to showcase why the NBA is amongst the best professional leagues worldwide.
Brian Stewart is a senior member of the Multimedia Journalism class.
About the Author
Grant Bodendorf 
Alexander Loveland 
Angelo Gambogi 
James Flynn III 