NBA and Knicks predictions for 2024-25 season
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson celebrates after a basket during the first half of an NBA preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 13 at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Heather Khalifa
NBA HONORS AND PREDICTIONS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Usually, this award is equally given for the performance in a season and also for a body of work — and often to recognize a snub from a prior season. So by that math you’d say that Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are due, and they may be. But if the Knicks win close to 60 games and top the Celtics in the East standings, there could be a surprising name. The only second-round picks to ever win the award are Willis Reed and Nikola Jokic. Could there be a third? Maybe if you combine wins, numbers, leadership and a New York market. The pick: Jalen Brunson.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Could this be a year where we just scratch the top two picks off the list of candidates? Maybe, as Alex Sarr and Zachary Risacher look like long-term projects. UConn teammates Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle could be impact rookies and Reed Sheppard is worth consideration, but he’s got a lot of competition for shots and minutes in Houston right now. So we’ll go with the player who should start and could have a huge role for a winning team from day one. The pick: Zach Edey.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tom Thibodeau certainly could earn his third Coach of the Year award as he puts together an essentially new team, and with the focus on every step every night, a big winning season could put him there. But figure this goes to a coach who jumps into the spotlight for lifting a team to a new level. Minnesota could emerge atop the West this year, and their coach got just one first-place vote last season. The pick: Chris Finch.
EASTERN CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS
Boston Celtics
Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers
Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers
Orlando Magic
Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls
Atlanta Hawks
Detroit Pistons
Toronto Raptors
Charlotte Hornets
Nets
Washington Wizards
East champ: Celtics over Knicks. I’ll say this — the Knicks have matched the Celtics in the talent arms race, and now it’s a matter of health, luck and experience. Boston has had time to play together, and if they stay healthy, they are the choice by a narrow margin.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Memphis Grizzlies
Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors
New Orleans Pelicans
Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers
Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Clippers
San Antonio Spurs
Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz
West champ: Timberwolves over Mavericks. Age and injuries take a toll on the Clippers, Lakers and Warriors as the deep Timberwolves squad takes over this time.
NBA FINALS: Celtics over Timberwolves. Again, this means that Kristaps Porzingis is healthy and Al Horford has another solid year in him, but the deep and talented mix at the top is just too much to overcome this season.
KNICKS PREDICTIONS
BIGGEST ADDITION
It’s easy to say Karl-Anthony Towns for the price the Knicks paid for him, but in Mikal Bridges the Knicks got a much-needed elite wing defender to pair with OG Anunoby and a player who will fit easily on offense beside Brunson and Towns. The pick: Mikal Bridges.
MOST LIKELY TO PLAY 48 MINUTES
A month ago, he seemed bound for a second unit role. Now? He’s starting and with a limited second unit could be on the floor for the entire game — and maybe not get a shot off. The pick: Josh Hart.
ROOKIE TO CRACK THE ROTATION
While Cam Payne has played well in the preseason and earned the praise of Thibodeau, some in the organization believe the team would like to keep him in bubble wrap for the playoffs. That could open up point guard minutes, and Tyler Kolek has shown an aptitude to quickly adjust to the NBA game. The pick: Tyler Kolek.
MOST LIKELY TO BE TRADED
The Knicks have penciled Mitchell Robinson as out of action until December or January. And while his defensive prowess and offensive rebounding skill warm Thibodeau’s heart, there is nothing Thibodeau treasures more than availability. With a reasonable contract, Robinson could still hold value in a deal at the deadline. The pick: Mitchell Robinson.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
