As the 2024-25 NBA season hits its midway point, the league has delivered on its promise of drama, surprises, and emerging narratives. Aaron Rose has had his say.
From the rise of young superstars to the struggles of some legendary franchises, this season has been a showcase of contrasting fortunes. The Thunder and Cavaliers look unstoppable, while teams like the 76ers and Heat are stumbling through chaos. Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama is rewriting what it means to dominate as a sophomore, and the MVP race between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic has become must-watch basketball.
Whether it’s a race to the bottom for top draft prospects or the ripple effects of a stricter CBA, this season has given fans plenty to debate, dissect, and enjoy. Here are 10 key takeaways from this rollercoaster season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have the league’s best defense this year—and it’s not close. They’ve dominated their way to the best record in the West without Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein sharing the floor even once this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing like an MVP, while Jalen Williams has stepped up as an elite sidekick. Here’s the kicker: with a treasure trove of draft picks, they have the flexibility to add one more impact player. Forget “contender”—OKC is built to win it all now, and they might just be scratching the surface of their potential.
Cleveland has the NBA’s best offense and has looked unstoppable this season. With new head coach Kenny Atkinson, they’ve run it back and thrived. Donovan Mitchell is having a career year, Darius Garland is playing like an All-Star again, and Evan Mobley has taken a clear step forward. Jarrett Allen remains one of the league’s most reliable centers. It will be interesting to see how they fare in the playoffs, but so far, they’re proving to be legitimate contenders in the East.
This season hasn’t been kind to some of the league’s biggest names. LeBron James and the Lakers are treading water near the play-in tournament, battling inconsistency and an aging roster. Steph Curry and the Warriors have struggled to compete in the West, with their young players failing to contribute enough and a lack of depth exposing their flaws. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant’s Suns, despite their star power, have been exposed by a thin supporting cast. These future Hall of Famers continue to play at an elite level, but their teams’ shortcomings make a title run this year feel like a long shot.
Victor Wembanyama isn’t just living up to the hype—he’s obliterating it. Every game, the 7-foot-3 sophomore does something astonishing, blending guard-like skills with his towering frame. Averaging nearly 25 points, shooting 35% from three, and dominating defensively with close to 4 blocks per game, he’s the clear favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Whether it’s a game-saving block or a smooth step-back three, Wembanyama is rewriting what’s possible. The Spurs may not be contenders yet, but their franchise centerpiece already looks like one of the league’s most remarkable players.
The Miami Heat’s famed “Heat Culture” is unraveling. Jimmy Butler’s frustration has become public, and it’s turned into a messy, awkward situation for the franchise. Butler wants out, but moving his massive contract has been a challenge. The tension is palpable, and what was once a model for toughness and success now feels unstable. With no easy resolution in sight, the Heat’s season risks being defined by this drama instead of their on-court performance.
With Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper headlining the draft, teams like Washington, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Utah, Toronto, Portland, and New Orleans are primed for a race to the bottom. These franchises are positioning themselves to land one of these transformative prospects, and their struggles this season reflect it. Flagg’s two-way dominance and Harper’s scoring brilliance have made this draft class a strong one, ensuring a competitive tanking battle as the season progresses.
Several young teams are making major strides this season. Houston, boasting the third-best defense in the league, has emerged as a top team in the West. Orlando looks poised to be a tough playoff out once healthy, with Franz Wagner taking a huge step forward this year. Detroit, led by Cade Cunningham’s breakout season, is suddenly competitive again. These teams are proving their rebuilds are starting to pay off.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are putting up absurd numbers in the MVP race. Gilgeous-Alexander has taken his game to another level, leading the league in scoring thanks to his unstoppable step-back and guiding the Thunder to one of the league’s best records. Jokic, meanwhile, is stuffing the stat sheet nightly, almost single-handedly keeping the Nuggets in the West playoff picture. Both stars have compelling cases, and their duel could shape the season.
A weak Eastern Conference has kept Philly’s playoff hopes alive, but they’ve dug themselves a deep hole. Injuries and inconsistency have left the 76ers struggling to find a rhythm all season. Even if they sneak into the playoffs, they’ll likely face a brutal first-round matchup against one of the East’s top teams. It’s the latest chapter in a classic Philly mess, where bad luck and poor timing seem to define their year.
The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement has created tight financial restrictions, making mid-season trades harder than ever. Big contracts are almost impossible to move, and the result could be one of the quietest trade deadlines in years. The league’s attempt to ensure parity may have gone too far, as teams are boxed in with limited options. Fans hoping for blockbuster moves will likely need to temper their expectations this season.