The 2024 NBA Draft and free agency period are pretty much over.
Sure, there are still some players available to sign, and some unknown guys will make rosters because of their play during Summer League.
A lot of people are putting out summer power polls and ranking all the teams in the NBA. I’m curious how each division might look come next spring with all the movement that happened over the last few weeks.
Is Milwaukee still the class of the Central Division? How much is the Southeast up for grabs? Can Memphis regain control of the Southwest Division?
A team’s standing in its division can go a long way in telling what type of season it had.
Following is a look at how I think each division will sit at the end of the 2024-25 regular season.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics: Outside of Denver, Boston has the best core four in the league.
New York Knicks: The Villanova Knicks could be a real threat to win the title in 2025.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid is talented, but his production always falls in the playoffs.
Toronto Raptors: Are we sure Scottie Barnes deserved that max deal?
Brooklyn Nets: I’m not sure the Nets will have 12 NBA players on their roster this year.
Central Division
Milwaukee Bucks: Will Dame and Giannis be enough for the old Bucks to win big?
Cleveland Cavaliers: Is this the year Evan Mobley makes The Leap?
Indiana Pacers: Was the 2024 playoff run a fluke?
Detroit Pistons: How much will having an all-in coach help?
Chicago Bulls: Are the Bulls the worst team in the league?
Southeast Division
Orlando Magic: Will Franz Wagner regain his touch from 3?
Miami Heat: can Kel’el Ware help right away and push Bam Adebayo to his natural spot at power forward?
Charlotte Hornets: How exciting is Brandon Miller?
Atlanta Hawks: How soon before Trae Young gets moved?
Washington Wizards: Will this very young group be given a real chance to gel?
Western Conference
Northwest Division
Oklahoma City Thunder: Should the Thunder be favored to win the 2025 title?
Denver Nuggets: Will Michael Porter Jr. ever reach his full potential?
Minnesota Timberwolves: How soon can rookies Terrance Shannon and Rob Dillingham find their footing to give the Wolves more on-the-ball creators?
Utah Jazz: Could trading Lauri Markkanen alter the championship picture?
Portland Trail Blazers: Could Jerami Grant and DeAndre Ayton both be on the move?
Pacific Division
Phoenix Suns: How much of a difference will Mike Budenholzer really make?
Sacramento Kings: Will the fun-to-watch Kings play any defense at all?
LA Lakers: How much does old man James have left in the tank?
Golden State Warriors: Can Steph Curry carry this team to the playoffs?
LA Clippers: Will Ty Lue (want to) make it through the entire season?
Southwest Division
Memphis Grizzlies: Is Memphis the deepest team in the NBA?
Dallas Mavericks: Will Luka stick by his vow to improve on defense?
New Orleans Pelicans: How is Zion Williamson going to handle playing smallball 5 the entire season?
Houston Rockets: Who’s the No. 1 option?
San Antonio Spurs: Is this the year Victor Wembanyama takes over the league?
