Happy New Year, NBA fans!
It’s been a turbulent, dramatic start to the 2024-25 season, and there’s plenty more to come in 2025. Today we’ll be taking a look at the New Year’s resolutions for each NBA team, and I’ll cover the Eastern conference while my colleague Griffin Wong will cover the West.
But let’s not make it too easy. Our stipulation is that only one team in each conference can have “draft Cooper Flagg” as its resolution, and only one can have “win the NBA championship”. Let’s dive in:
Atlantic Division
Toronto Raptors (7-25), +100000 to win NBA Championship at DraftKings Sportsbook: Developing their Dick, Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes core
The Raptors, despite their record, are not hopeless. While they aren’t going anywhere this season, they have promising prospects in RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and Gradey Dick. The latter has impressed this season and has done an excellent job of filling in for Quickley, who has only appeared in three games. Dick is averaging 17.6 PPG and has taken on a heavier workload than he did during his rookie campaign.
Scottie Barnes has also battled injuries this season, and has failed to improve upon his statistical output from last season. This could partially be due to RJ Barrett’s ascension in Toronto. Clearly, the change of scenery was beneficial to Barrett, who’s posting career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and FG%. If we zoom out a bit and look at the Raptors’ situation as a whole, we’ll see that they’re a promising young team filled with pieces that are slowly but surely developing.
Brooklyn Nets (12-20), +100000: Sell pieces and get a lottery pick
The Nets recently traded Shake Milton and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks. The Nets, like the Raptors, have zero title aspirations this year. I’m not sure what they plan on doing with Russell, but he’s on the last year of his contract and I’m not sure whether Brooklyn opts to give him a new one.
The Nets are also sitting on assets such as Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, and Ben Simmons. They’re in an interesting spot with many picks for this upcoming draft class, and could be sellers by the trade deadline. I imagine many teams are interested in specifically Cam Johnson, a 6’8 wing who’s able to stretch the floor. The Nets are supposedly seeking multiple first round picks for him, and I think it’s prudent that they sell Johnson while his value is high. They should probably sell Simmons, too, if any team out there is convinced of his ability to seriously contribute at this stage of his career.
Philadelphia 76ers (13-17), +3000: Joel Embiid’s knees, face, ankles, toes, and immune system
After a disastrous start to the season, the 76ers have now won nine of their last 12 games. Joel Embiid has strung together three straight games, averaging 32 PPG and 7.7 RPG in them. He’s been playing with a mask: an indicator of his willingness to get back out on the floor to help his team. His health may be in question for the rest of his career, and many wondered whether this season would be the final nail in the coffin for The Process, but it would be tragic to see it end like this.
The 76ers are fully in win-now mode. Their offseason acquisition of Paul George (four year, $211M) upgraded Tobias Harris into an aging, but dependable star wing who’s defensively minded and can create offense for himself. Tyrese Maxey continues to make strides in his game each season and is looking like one of the best young guards in the Association. This team is not deep; it’s top-heavy. But its stars are good enough to go all the way. As long as Joel Embiid can stay healthy, this 76ers’ core will look to recover from their slow start and finish strong. Trust the Process.
New York Knicks (23-13), +900: Continuity and a deeper bench
The offseason blockbuster that sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns confused many, including me. Why did the Timberwolves think that putting Julius Randle next to Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards would be a good idea? Edwards and Gobert both prefer to play in the paint; for different reasons, of course. Gobert because he has no reason to exist anywhere else. Edwards because of his ability to get downhill and apply immense pressure on the basket at close range. And now they’re adding Julius Randle into the equation?
I digress. The Knicks have made out like bandits, so far. Karl-Anthony Towns has exploded into Madison Square Garden with force, improving his averages from last season in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, FTA, 3P%, FG%, and FGA. His fit on this team is clear. Questions about his defense are still legitimate, but are growing quieter as he continues pouring in the offense. The Big Bodega has helped the Knicks surge to a 23-13 record while playing 34.2 MPG and is locked for an All-Star appearance, at least. While this Knicks team has a championship-level starting five, I worry about their bench. They do have Miles McBride, but we’ve seen this team break down from overuse in the playoffs before when playing big playoff minutes under Tom Thibodeau. This team needs more than just Cameron Payne, Precious Achiuwa, and Jericho Sims as backup. This team needs real, actual relief so that its stars can continue shining deep into the postseason.
Boston Celtics (23-9), +225: Become the first repeat NBA champions since 2016-2018
This is a perfect team on paper. Actually, this is just a perfect team in general. There’s a reason why they’re big favorites to repeat as NBA champions, and it’s because of the spectacular job Brad Stevens has done in building this team. They have switchable, elite defenders at every position. They have a deep bench and an excellent coach. They now have championship pedigree. Their number one option, Jayson Tatum, is having a career year on the glass and as a playmaker while averaging 28.5 PPG.
There honestly isn’t much to wish for if you’re the Celtics. Just stay locked in and execute when necessary. I think the championship is theirs to lose.
Central Division
Detroit Pistons (14-18), +100000: Develop Cade Cunningham’s weapons
In the darkest of dungeons, there was a light. That is Cade Cunningham, and he’s helped Detroit emerge from the dark pit hole they were trapped in last season (14-68). They have already matched their last season’s win total and it’s still 2024. The Pistons are on pace to win at least 30 games and it’s due to Cunningham’s improvement as a scorer and playmaker. The fourth year pro is settling in nicely, averaging a career high 24 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 9.7 APG. There are concerns about this team on the defensive end. Jalen Duren’s defense has been lackluster and Isaiah Stewart, while serviceable, is not great. Additionally, Tobias Harris has been a massive, massive disappointment for the Pistons. There isn’t much here aside from Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Ausar Thompson, while elite defensively and athletically, seriously lacks production on the offensive end.
In order for the Pistons to start contending, they need a little bit more. Cunningham has rounded into form nicely and will certainly continue his improvement next season, but he’ll need more help.
Chicago Bulls (15-18), +100000: Sell veterans
Man it feels like Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic have been swirling around in the trade rumor mills for years now. But nobody wants them somehow, despite LaVine and Vucevic both advertising their hearts out so far. Both of these guys are scorching hot this season, with LaVine shooting 49.9% FG (44.7% from 3) and Vuc shooting 56.8% (45.3% from 3). Their value isn’t going to be much higher than this. The Bulls are hoping they can move both by the deadline so that they can see what they have with their younger players such as Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Ayo Dosunmu. I’m not particularly excited about any of these guys, but hey, what else can the Bulls do in their position?
Indiana Pacers (16-17), +14000: Tyrese Haliburton’s consistency
Haliburton has been infamously inconsistent this season, struggling largely on the road while looking like himself at home. The Pacers have an impressive roster with decent pieces around Haliburton, but they aren’t true contenders until Haliburton raises his floor. At his worst, he’s not very effective on either end of the ball, and at his best he’s a world beater point guard.
As the 23rd ranked defense in the league, it’s tough to see them getting past other Eastern teams in the playoffs unless they make an upgrade or one of their young wings improve vastly.
Milwaukee Bucks (16-14), +1900: Giannis’ resurgence: a deep playoff run
Giannis Antetokounmpo has nothing left to prove. We all know how dominant he is. The Bucks will go as far as he can take them, but this is not the same Bucks team that won the chip recently. They’ve lost Jrue Holiday and downgraded their defense severely by replacing him with Damian Lillard. Brook Lopez is still a good defender, but he’s quite a few years removed from his prime and we’re starting to see that as well. Khris Middleton, another core piece of their championship roster, has battled injuries in both ankles.
You don’t need me to tell you how impressive a Milwaukee chip would be, this season. Damian Lillard is still seeking his first championship after years of toiling away in Portland, and this is the year for the Bucks and Giannis to potentially shock the world again.
Cleveland Cavaliers (28-4), +1400: Unleash Evan Mobley (more)
As Tristan Thompson once infamously said, the East indeed runs through the Cavaliers. Maybe he was a bit ahead (or behind) of his time. The Cavaliers have impressed so far this season, even sitting ahead of the powerhouse Boston Celtics by five games. Much of this is due to the improvement of Evan Mobley, who’s averaing 18.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and a spectacular 42.7% from downtown. His newly discovered range from beyond-the-arc has done wonders for his game when it comes to keeping defenses honest. He doesn’t take many with just 2.5 per game, but it just doesn’t matter. When he has the three point shot in his arsenal, it allows him to draw opposing centers out of the paint and opens up the entirety of his game. His defense is spectacular, as per usual.
The other Cavaliers have bought in to unleashing their 7 footer. Mitchell is shooting less than last season, often running inverted pick and rolls with Evan Mobley to encourage Mobley’s shot. Kenny Atkinson has worked his magic with this talented roster and is rewarding the Cavaliers’ front office’s trust in him. I’m eager to see what this team can do in the playoffs.
Southeast Divison
Washington Wizards (5-25), +100000: Draft Cooper Flagg
Was there ever a more appropriate place to use the “Draft Cooper Flagg” resolution than this? If you’re a glass-half-full type of person, you’d look at this roster and say they have some promising young pieces in Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, and Alex Sarr. If you’re a glass-half-empty type of person, you’d look at this roster and say that their resolution is to draft Cooper Flagg.
The Wizards are tanking and their outlook is bleak. Their top two offensive options are Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole. The Wizards’ best case scenario this season is for Bilal Coulibaly to continue honing his offense to complement his elite defensive instincts and athleticism. Alex Sarr, while impressive on the defensive end, looks raw and unfinished on offense. There’s a lot of time for these guys to grow, so if you’re one of those unenviable Wizard fans, stay patient and pray for the number one pick.
Charlotte Hornets (7-25), +100000: Patience and LaMelo Ball
Having star players on a terrible roster in a terrible organization is like duct-taping your problems. It’s good enough of a solution to procrastinate your issues for a little bit longer, but you have to address it eventually. That duct tape will fall off and request a trade elsewhere.
LaMelo Ball is shining on the Hornets; you can see highlights all over social media of his playground moves and his willingness to launch from anywhere on the court. He has elite vision, elite shooting, and is an oversized point guard who’s a walking mismatch; he’s too big for opposing point guards and too fast for opposing big men. He’s too shifty, too quick, and too skilled for opposing – well, anybody.
NBA pedants will tell you that he’s developing bad habits that are not conducive to winning. I will tell you that he’s uber talented and that the sky is the limit. This Hornets roster has intriguing young players such as Brandon Miller and Mark Williams, the latter of whom just dropped a disgusting 20 point, 12 rebound game on 9/9 shooting against the Bulls in a loss in OT. The Hornets should continue developing and allowing Ball creative liberty to be himself.
Miami Heat (16-14), +5500: End the Jimmy Butler saga
One could almost look at this season’s Miami Heat and their drama with Jimmy Butler as a story of master and pupil. The pupil, Tyler Herro, has ascended into stardom and found consistency in his offense. The master, Jimmy Butler, has finished his task and is ready to move on.
But this probably isn’t what’s happening. Jimmy Butler wants to move to a contender soon and he’s probably getting shopped around as we speak. The Heat need to kill this noise that’s distracting them from winning basketball. They’re in an awkward position in which they’re not quite good enough to contend, but they overachieve every year and never tank. As long as they continue to be a top tier free-agent destination, they’ll grind away and continue to overachieve under Spoelstra; but they need to move on from Butler, first.
Atlanta Hawks (18-15), +20000: Jalen Johnson’s path to superstardom
Trae Young has become a different type of offensive hub in this season’s iteration of the Hawks. He’s averaging 22 PPG, the lowest since his rookie season, but has improved upon his play-making chops and is leading the league in assists with 12.1 per game. He’s always had great vision and has been an incredible play maker, but this season we’re seeing his best. Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter are contributors to Trae’s assist totals this season. The former has improved once again, reaching 19.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.2 BPG and looks ready for his first All-Star bid.
Atlanta made it clear last season that Johnson was absolutely untouchable. Even Trae Young’s name popped up in trade rumors, but I’m a bit skeptical whether he was actually on the market. Regardless, Atlanta’s attachment to Johnson echoes my own conviction that we haven’t seen Johnson’s ceiling yet. If he keeps growing at this explosive rate, the versatile Johnson could become a force indeed. Maybe this isn’t the year, but next year could be the true contention year for the Hawks if Johnson can raise his stats once again. How likely is that to happen? Very.
Orlando Magic (20-14), +6500: Regroup and retry
The Magic stormed out of the gates in dominant fashion this season. They’re still hanging on to a great record despite losing several key players to long-term injuries, the most recent of which includes Mo Wagner’s torn ACL. Fortunately for the Magic, Paolo Banchero should be returning soon. Franz Wagner could as well shortly afterwards. Once the Magic regain their formidable young duo wings, they’ll be one of the best teams in the East once again.
For now, they just need to hold on and breathe. The Magic will attempt to stay afloat in the East while their bench and Jalen Suggs keep them humming along until their big hitters return.
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