What to expect in the 2024-2025 NBA season - and what about the Belgians?

Basketball fans, it's that time of year again – time to get ready for another wild ride in the NBA. The 2024-2025 season is just around the corner, and if last season was any indication, we’re in for a treat. Whether you're a seasoned NBA fanatic or just here for the drama, this year is packed with storylines, fresh talent, and enough snappy highlights to fill your social media feed.

Let’s start with a quick recap of what went down in 2023-2024. Spoiler alert: It was chaotic – in the best possible way.
 

Celtics and Lakers: a tale of two champions

The Boston Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, claimed their 18th NBA title after an intense playoff run, beating the Dallas Mavericks to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Celtics fans were buzzing, as this victory officially pushed Boston ahead of the Lakers in the all-time title race -18 banners for the Celtics, 17 for the Lakers.

But don’t write off LA just yet! The Lakers had their own piece of history, winning the first-ever in-season tournament. LeBron James, defying Father Time yet again, claimed MVP honours in the tournament as they defeated the Indiana Pacers 123-109 in the final.

2023-2024 regular season wrap-up

The Celtics were dominant all year, finishing the regular season with a stellar 64-18 record, the best in the NBA. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder – the youngest team to ever finish first in the West – posted an impressive 57-25 record. The Thunder’s youth movement is officially terrifying for the rest of the league, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading a pack of emerging stars.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Detroit Pistons (East) and the Portland Trail Blazers (West) had seasons to forget. Both teams are in full rebuild mode, but hey, every lottery pick is a new chance, right?

Individual success

The MVP race ended with another win for Denver Nuggets' superstar Nikola Jokić, proving that the big man’s vision and skills are second to none. On the defensive side, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves once again took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. And who can forget the towering 7'4" French sensation Victor Wembanyama, who won Rookie of the Year honours with the San Antonio Spurs? He lived up to the hype – and more.

Oh, and a special shout-out to Stephen Curry, who somehow continues to perform magic on the court and won Clutch Player of the Year. The king of the three pointers is 36 years old. What's in that water you’re drinking, Steph?

The offseason shuffle: who went where?

The NBA offseason is like a soap opera – except with more sneakers and fewer tears (unless you're a Clippers fan). This summer saw some big names moving around:

• Paul George left the Clippers for a new superteam with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey at the Philadelphia 76ers. Title contender? You bet.
• Klay Thompson parted ways with the Warriors dynasty and headed to Dallas, joining forces with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Talk about firepower.
• DeMar DeRozan moved from the Bulls to the Sacramento Kings. Time for the Kings to finally break through?
• Chris Paul, everyone’s favorite veteran, joined Wembanyama at the Spurs. Teacher meets prodigy – this should be fun.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of trades. With so many moves, some teams are in ‘win now’ mode, while others are clearly thinking about next year (we see you, Portland).

Belgian talent: rising stars

Let’s not forget there are also Belgians making waves in the NBA! Toumani Camara, who was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, had an impressive rookie year with 7.5 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game. A fan favourite for his gritty defense, his mission now is to refine his offensive game. Expect him to be a hot trade target if he continues to shine.

Then there's Ajay Mitchell, drafted by the New York Knicks but sent to Oklahoma City on a two-way contract. After a stellar summer league showing, the young guard will need to prove himself quickly. If not in OKC, expect a rebuilding team to scoop him up for a bigger role.

What to watch for in 2024-2025

This season promises a whole lot of excitement. Here are some quick hits on teams to keep an eye on:

• Boston Celtics: They kept their core and are the reigning champs. Anything less than a finals appearance will be a disappointment.
• Philadelphia 76ers: They’re stacked. Embiid, Paul George, Maxey – it’s a superteam. Will they live up to the hype?
• Oklahoma City Thunder: The youngest team in the league is also one of the scariest. With stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and rising talents like Jalen Williams, they’re set for another big year.
• Denver Nuggets: Jokić is still Jokić. But can they improve their postseason form and win another title?
• Dallas Mavericks: Luka, Kyrie, and Klay. That’s a ridiculous amount of shooting and offensive firepower. Watch out.
• Golden State Warriors: Curry can’t carry the load forever, can he? This may be the Warriors’ last dance.
• Los Angeles Lakers: The first NBA season of LeBron James Jr. aka Bronny James has kept media and fans completely enthralled since the young man's draft. Indeed, this is the first time a father and son share the floor - and play for the same team to boot.

Players to follow

Beyond the usual suspects like LeBron, Jokić, and Curry, keep an eye on Victor Wembanyama. His rookie season was impressive, but the expectations are sky-high for year two. Can he elevate the San Antonio Spurs back to greatness?

Also, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be an MVP candidate this season if the Thunder keep ascending. And let’s not forget Paul George – he’s now part of a Sixers squad that has ‘championship or bust’ written all over it. Anything less than a deep playoff run will be considered a failure in Philly.

Get ready!

As the 2024-2025 NBA season tips off, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be electric. Between the blockbuster trades, rising stars, and aging legends chasing one more ring, there will be no shortage of drama. So sit tight, pick your favorite team (or player), and get ready for what’s sure to be another unforgettable year in the number one basketball competition in the world.

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