NBA Power Rankings: Where do the Kings stand ahead of the 2024-25 regular season?

It’s been too long since we’ve gotten to say this: Who’s ready for some NBA basketball?

Last season, the Boston Celtics lifted their first Larry O’Brien trophy since 2009, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Now, we do it all over again Tuesday Night.

The Celtics and New York Knicks open the 2024-25 regular season at 4:30 p.m. PST. Then, the Minnesota Timberwolves face off against the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. to round out the doubleheader.

But before we get to the opening tip, let’s take a look at the where the NBA hierarchy stands ahead of the regular season.

Disclaimer: All projection props were accurate at the time of publishing this article. All opinions expressed are that of Sactown Sports writer Amil Fragoso, who you can follow here.

The Contenders

1. Boston Celtics

Over/Under: 58.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 64-18

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: Title hangover?

The 2023-24 NBA champions come into a new season with basically the same roster as last season. And after dominating the postseason, extending various key pieces, and facing some personal vendettas in The Olympics, one would expect Boston to come back with a vengeance.

So what’s stopping them? Injuries.

The Celtics will already be without Kristaps Porzingis for the first half of the 2024-25 season. Everyone else is healthy but can anyone expect that to be the case for 83 games?

After winning the Larry O’Brien, expect Boston to take a methodical approach to spring this time around. That means more rotations, and probably less games for the key players.

Betting on a 60-win season again is a hefty ask, even for the juggernaut Celtics.

 

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Over/Under: 57.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 57-25

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: When does Sam Presti cash in his trade chips?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

The darlings of last season now turn from hunter to hunted in 2024-25. That shouldn’t matter however, because Mark Daginault’s youthful squad is just getting started.

The Thunder had a coming-out party last season, ending as the one-seed in the western conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the NBA, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are budding stars, Lu Dort is a lockdown defender and the addition of Alex Caruso rounds out this squad to a tee.

OKC can score, shoot, defend and hustle. They have it all, except a real backup center (joking).

60 wins is absolutely in the cards for this squad, looking to make a real run in the postseason. But the question remains: What does Presti have up his sleeves?

Should this squad get off to a hot start, it might be time to commit to a real title push with a trade or two.

 

3. New York Knicks

Over/Under: 53.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 50-32

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: Are the new-look Knicks for real?

The Knicks are freaking back!

Leon Rose and Co. push their chips in this summer, adding Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to a starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby. Losing Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo hurts, but sometimes you have to subtract to add.

New York’s new starting lineup has the makings of NBA Finals contender. They can switch across the board, can score at all three levels, and embody team basketball under Tom Thiboeau.

But there’s a caveat: Can they stay healthy?

Both Anunoby and KAT have a well-documented injury history, missing 52 games combined last season. On top of that, New York’s bench is extremely thin, the cost of dealing for big stars.

It wouldn’t shock me if the Knicks hit their over. But with a real playoff run more important, maximizing health is the name of the game.

 

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

Over/Under: 51.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 56-26

Prediction: Over

*League Pass Favorite

Biggest Question: How elite can Anthony Edwards truly be?

The surprise Western Conference finalists return in 2024-25 with a grudge, especially after being ridiculed for the Towns trade.

But honestly: They might be even better without him.

Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo give Minnesota different looks and more reliable depth. The former can be a playmaking outlet to help free up others, while the latter can have 20 points on any given night.

Meanwhile, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert are defensive aces that work in the regular season. The postseason? Different story, especially Gobert.

But this is about the regular season, and this team can win a lot of games thanks to their versatility.

If Edwards takes another leap, expect the Timberwolves to be among the contenders in the spring.

 

5. Denver Nuggets

Over/Under: 50.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 57-25

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: Can The Joker get some help?

If not for Nikola Jokic, where would Denver be?

Yes, rhetoric, kind of. But seriously, the 2024-25 Nuggets are extremely thin, losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the summer. Christian Braun takes over his spot in the starters.

But besides that, this is basically the same team. And at some point, Jokic can’t play almost every game.

Now this projection could change, especially if Jamal Murray returns to 2023 playoff form. But until then, the over is a tall task for this grizzled playoff veteran.

 

6. Philadelphia 76ers

Over/Under: 49.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 47-35

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: What really matters to this team?

Daryl Morey and the 76ers may have won the offseason, making a heap of quality additions led by future hall-of-famer Paul George. Couple the additions with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, this is absolutely a title contender.

But do they care about the regular season? Or maybe more importantly, can they stay healthy to do so?

George is 35 years old and already banged up with a knee injury. We all know Embiid’s checkered past with health. Should both miss extended periods, can Maxey keep the roster afloat?

Maybe.

The 24-year-old budding star, alongside Kelly Oubre and others, can win games against lesser competition, especially in the East. For that reason, getting 50 wins is very doable.

But an outcome of going under is also possible if it means everyone is healthy in April. It’s kind of title or bust for this group.

 

7. Dallas Mavericks

Over/Under: 49.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 50-32

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Luka for MVP?

The Dallas Mavericks surprised everyone last postseason, going on a magical run to the NBA Finals, thanks in large part to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Although they didn’t finish the job, Was that a sign of things to come? Or, did they exceed expectations?

With Doncic playing an All-NBA level on a nightly basis, anything is possible.

Dallas does have weaknesses however. A heliocentric offense returns with its’ supporting cast that fits the mold. Aside from the two superstars, there’s not a lot of options on offense. Klay Thompson’s addition could at least add some three-point shooting, even if the preseason has gone badly.

This is really a bet on Doncic playing at an MVP level. Now 25 years old, the Slovenian Sensation is just entering his prime.

 

8. Phoenix Suns

Over/Under: 48.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 49-33

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: What does Mike Budholzer do for this squad?

New year, new coach for the Suns, as former NBA champion coach Mike Budenholzer comes to Phoenix. What will Bud have to offer; We’ll have to see.

PHX’s star core of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant remain the same. As does Jusuf Nurkic.

What’s different is the addition of a true point guard in Tyus Jones, an unrated playmaker in his own right.

Booker goes back to his original role as SG at the very least. It could be an offensive-minded group with those three guards and Durant on the court. Or, coach Bud could move Beal into a sixth-man role if his defense declines further.

Again, very interesting to see what this squad will do in Year 2 together.

For now, them caring about playoff positioning is a strong bet, hoping to get the chemistry right this time for a deep run.

 

9. Milwaukee Bucks

Over/Under: 49.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 49-33

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: Can Giannis & Dame carry this team?

Year 2 of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is make or break for the Bucks. Simple as that.

If the superstar pairing can find their mojo, so can the rest of the squad. That would require Lillard to revert back to his old self for an extended period, something that seems easier said than done at 34 years old. And without Khris Middleton in the fold (for now), this team is razor-thin on margins to stay afloat.

Even still, having Giannis is pretty much a guaranteed 40-win season; It’s the rest of the roster that will have to help him get to 50, and support him when the playoffs come.

But if he gets hurt? Forget about Milwaukee’s chances. Even Doc Rivers can’t fix a top-heavy team without their MVP candidate.

 

10. Miami Heat

Over/Under: 43.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 46-36

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Jimmy Butler revenge tour?

After the last half decade of almost yearly improbable runs, Heat Culture might finally be taking a step back.

Or is it?

Pat Riley deliberately lit a fire under Jimmy Butler’s ass over the summer. That left him with a sour taste in his mouth, especially after contract extension talks went nowhere.

Could a pissed-off Butler be the missing piece to Miami’s re-emergence?

Probably.

But, at 35-years-old what does he have left in the tank? An every-night star performance may be unrealistic, even for Jimmy.

Thankfully, Miami has other quality pieces around him. Bam Adebayo is the best one, fresh off a great performance in the Paris Olympics for Team USA.

Getting 44 wins should be easy work if just those two show up consistently.

 

In The Mix

11. Cleveland Cavaliers

Over/Under: 48.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 48-34

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Can Kenny Atkinson unlock the Allen-Mobley twin towers?

 

12. Memphis Grizzlies

Over/Under: 46.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 27-55

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Ja Morant comeback season?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

13. Indiana Pacers

Over/Under: 46.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 47-35

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Can Indiana take the leap with Haliburton at the helm?

 

14. Orlando Magic

Over/Under: 47.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 47-35

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Same thing as Indiana, only with Banchero

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

15. Sacramento Kings

Over/Under: 46.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 46-36

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Can Sacramento be average defensively?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

After an underperforming 2023-24 season, can the Kings get back to the playoffs?

Monte McNair’s big addition of DeMar DeRozan gives the Kings some much-needed stability at wing. The Los Angeles native has been a bucket-getter since joining the NBA; Don’t expect that to change now.

Sacramento’s philosophy is to outgun their opponents. A smart strategy if they can pull it off. 2022 was a prime example, scoring 120.7 points per game.

Can the Kings do that again in 2024? Absolutely.

However, you can’t win every game the same way. And unfortunately, Sacramento just simply can’t play defense on a consistent basis.

Should that change under coach Mike Brown, the team’s ceiling also improves. But until then, the Kings will be slightly flawed.

Should be an exciting season nevertheless, one where most games could be firefights.

 

16. Golden State Warriors

Over/Under: 43.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 46-36

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: Are the Warriors one big trade away from being contenders again?

 

17. Los Angeles Lakers

Over/Under: 42.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 47-35

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: Is this it for LeBron?

 

Still Trying To Figure It Out

18. New Orleans Pelicans

Over/Under: 45.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 49-33

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: What high-level center is getting traded for Brandon Ingram?

 

19. Houston Rockets

Over/Under: 42.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 41-41

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Are there too many mouths to feed?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

20. San Antonio Spurs

Over/Under: 35.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 22-60

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: What can we expect from Victor Wembamyama Year 2?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

21. Atlanta Hawks

Over/Under: 36.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 36-46

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: What’s the goal of this season?

 

22. Chicago Bulls

Over/Under: 28.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 39-43

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: When is Lavine and/or Vucevic getting shipped off?

 

The Bottom Dwellers

23. Los Angeles Clippers

Over/Under: 35.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 51-31

Prediction: HEAVY Under

Biggest Question: When’s Kawhi Leonard coming back?

 

24. Toronto Raptors

Over/Under: 28.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 25-57

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Can these promising prospects play together?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

25. Utah Jazz

Over/Under: 27.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 31-51

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: When will Danny Ainge pull the plug?

 

26. Charlotte Hornets

Over/Under: 31.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 21-61

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Can Lamelo Ball maximize his untapped potential long enough to stay on the court?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

27. Portland Trail Blazers

Over/Under: 20.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 21-61

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: One of these guards is going to be a star, right?

*NBA League Pass Favorite

 

28. Detroit Pistons

Over/Under: 25.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 14-68

Prediction: Over

Biggest Question: Is this The Year for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey?

 

29. Brooklyn Nets

Over/Under: 19.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 32-50

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: How many months until the draft?

 

The Washington Wizards

Over/Under: 19.5 Wins

Last Season’s Record: 15-67

Prediction: Under

Biggest Question: What’s the ceiling for Bilal Coulibaly?