The NBA has officially unveiled its full 2024-25 regular-season schedule, and it promises to be a thrilling season filled with familiar faces returning to new arenas and high-stakes matchups. This year’s schedule features several headline-grabbing player reunions and team shifts that are sure to keep fans at the edge of their seats.
Reunions and First Encounters
Perhaps one of the most anticipated games will involve Klay Thompson, the sharpshooter who spent 13 years with the Golden State Warriors. Now slated to play against his former team, the anticipation is palpable. "Who knows what the actual numbers or official offers were, if there even was one by the end," noted an insider. "But you can bet Thompson feels like the Warriors pushed him out the door."
Adding to the intrigue around the Warriors, the team has heavily invested in Jordan Poole and Draymond Green, signing them to a combined $240 million deal. This sizable investment indicates the Warriors are committed to staying competitive in the wake of Thompson’s departure.
Another notable face-off will be Paul George playing against the Clippers, the team that declined to offer him a max contract. Elsewhere, James Harden will face his former Philadelphia 76ers squad after negotiating his way out of the team. Harden's last encounter with the 76ers saw him contributing 16 points and 14 assists in a one-point win for the Clippers.
Changes Following Disappointments
The 76ers are coming off a disappointing end to their previous season, where they fell in the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics. In the aftermath of the loss, head coach Doc Rivers was shown the door and replaced by Nick Nurse. Despite the change in leadership, Nurse could not guide the team past the first round, adding more pressure on the franchise.
An earlier date to circle on the calendar is November 22, when Ben Simmons is set to play in Philadelphia, a city that has seen its fair share of basketball drama involving the former No. 1 pick.
Transactions and New Beginnings
The NBA offseason has also seen a flurry of trades and signings that have reshaped several teams. Obi Toppin, for instance, was traded from the New York Knicks to the Indiana Pacers and then secured a $60 million deal with his new team. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks made a strategic decision by drafting Zaccharie Risacher over Alex Sarr, reflecting their vision for the future.
Isaiah Hartenstein's $87 million deal with the Thunder marked another notable transaction, especially as the Thunder traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. Observers have noted, "Giddey needs the ball in his hands to be his best and he was never going to get that opportunity in Oklahoma City with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm."
Further altering their roster, the New York Knicks traded five first-round picks and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets for Mikal Bridges. This move underscores the Knicks' ambition to bolster their lineup for a deeper playoff run. In another noteworthy trade, R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley were sent to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby. Barrett did not waste time making an impact, scoring 20 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out four assists in his return to Madison Square Garden. Quickley also contributed significantly, adding 12 points in the same game.
New Seasons, New Challenges
Elsewhere in the league, the Sacramento Kings have realigned their roster, bringing in DeMar DeRozan. The deal saw Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond moving to the Kings without the team giving up a single first-round draft pick – a noteworthy maneuver in today’s asset-conscious NBA environment.
Kyrie Irving's return to Brooklyn on March 24 will be another epic showdown. Similarly, Russell Westbrook is set to play against the Lakers, following his assertive exit from the team. According to one sports analyst, "Westbrook goes full tilt every time he steps on any court, and this won't be the first time he's played the Lakers since he was traded. But my guess is there will always be a little extra vinegar in the tank when he plays in front of the Lakers fans from here on out."
As the NBA gears up for another captivating season, fans can look forward to high-octane games filled with personal vendettas and emerging storylines that define professional basketball. This upcoming season is poised to be a can’t-miss affair, with the stakes higher and the narratives richer than ever before.