As the new NBA season kicks off, a fascinating trend emerges highlighting the strength of the Eastern Conference compared to the West. On October 23, the Boston Celtics raised their 18th championship banner at the TD Garden, marking the official start of the 2024-2025 NBA season. Throughout the offseason, the league witnessed substantial roster changes through drafts, trades, and signings that have reshaped team dynamics.
Among the franchises, the defending champion Celtics remain the top favorite to win again, closely followed by established powerhouses like the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, rising teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks show significant signs of rejuvenation, while once-dominant squads such as the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors are using trades and signings to bolster their competitiveness. Overall, the NBA is demonstrating a competitive landscape characterized by a more dominant Eastern Conference as compared to a struggling Western Conference.
Focusing on the East, the keywords that define this season are “reinforcement” and “championship contention.” Many top-ranking teams in the Eastern Conference made significant moves over the offseason. Notably, former Clippers star Paul George has signed with the 76ers, while the Knicks acquired All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves, marking them as pivotal trades of the offseason.
The 76ers have been particularly active in free agency, not only securing George but also signing players like Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, and Juhann Begarin. Key players from last season, including Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Kyle Lowry, were retained. With only a few losses, such as Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, and Buddy Hield, the team has significantly improved its roster. Although George recently faced a knee injury and Joel Embiid will be absent for the first week due to injury, the 76ers’ bench depth is expected to help them secure a top-three finish in the East. As Embiid and George gain rest, their health will be crucial for the team’s playoff aspirations.
The Knicks’ acquisition of Towns upgrades their core lineup, which now features Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Towns, complemented by the reliable “Iron Man” Josh Hart. With starting center Mitchell Robinson sidelined due to injury, Towns is anticipated to see ample time as the starting center this season.
However, the early performances in both the preseason and the regular-season opener have raised concerns. Towns, who has not played center for two years, struggled significantly in this role, particularly with pick-and-roll defense, which contributed to the Knicks’ disappointing performance. Moreover, following the loss of Dante DiVincenzo, the Knicks’ offensive flow appears disrupted, with Anunoby and Bridges lacking ball-handling skills. Head coach Tom Thibodeau will need to fine-tune various details to maximize the team’s defensive and offensive capabilities. While the Knicks show promise, they will face challenges in the playoffs due to diminished margin for error, making a push for the Eastern Conference finals a daunting task.
Beyond these two teams, the Celtics and the Bucks, both traditional contenders, opted for stability during the offseason. Celtics star Jayson Tatum focused on improving his shooting skills, which should offer the team more offensive options. Even with Kristaps Porzingis’ ongoing injury issues, the Celtics, if they can maintain their roster’s health in the playoffs, remain the frontrunners for the championship.
In contrast, the Western Conference paints a different picture, where the story is one of decline among traditional powerhouses and a brighter outlook for up-and-coming young players. The Timberwolves’ trade of Towns relieved some salary cap pressure but left the team with an unbalanced roster. The Denver Nuggets, previously in the championship conversation, experienced critical losses that weakened their once-robust starting lineup, likely removing them from contention for the conference finals. The Lakers, under rookie head coach JJ Redick, have had limited excitement, primarily revolving around rookie sharpshooter Ryan Appel.
Teams like the Suns, Mavericks, and Thunder illustrate the remaining West’s highlights. The Suns’ decision to hire championship-winning coach Mike Budenholzer is anticipated to bring out the best in their star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Additionally, rookie Ryan Dunn is rapidly improving and is expected to play a crucial role alongside the stars.
The Mavericks bolstered their roster by bringing in veteran Klay Thompson. Though Thompson has faced injuries over the past two seasons, he could thrive with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving drawing defensive attention, even if his role is primarily to hit open threes. The Mavericks are banking on Thompson’s championship experience to push them further in the West.
The Thunder represent a rising young core, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander maturing and potentially disruptive in the upcoming season. For the Spurs, recovering from a two-year rebuild, they have gathered a wealth of young talent. They also signed veteran guard Chris Paul to provide experienced mentorship to prospects like Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan, and Devin Vassell. The Warriors, moving on from Thompson, are also leaning into younger players such as Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. to find new hope alongside star Stephen Curry.
As the new season progresses, both San Antonio and Golden State will focus on reestablishing themselves in the playoff picture.
