The 2024-25 NBA season is well underway, and with a month of games in the books, it’s time to evaluate how well teams are executing their key strategies.
From championship contenders to rebuilding franchises, every team had their own set of objectives heading into the season. While some teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the ground running, others are struggling to implement their offseason plans. Let’s take a closer look at how 10 of the league’s most talked-about teams are performing based on their early-season priorities.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Grading the Plan to Coexist
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made it clear that their priority this season is to make their four best players — Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland — work together. Last season, the quartet’s on-court chemistry was inconsistent, but the Cavaliers are back on track with their net rating nearly identical to the 2022-23 season when the team was a force in the East. With Garland healthy and the addition of new head coach Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland has succeeded in blending strong production from both the starters and reserves. It’s clear that the Cavaliers’ offense and defense are in a solid groove early on, and with Mitchell handling point guard duties in the backcourt, Cleveland’s future is looking bright. Grade: A
Dallas Mavericks: Defensive Progress, Offensive Struggles
After a busy offseason, the Dallas Mavericks have made an interesting move to shore up their defense, notably replacing Derrick Jones Jr. with Klay Thompson. Coach Jason Kidd had high hopes for Thompson’s defensive impact, and while the Mavericks have shown improvement in their defensive rating, they still struggle on the offensive side. Luka Doncic has been performing below his MVP-level expectations, and Dallas’ shooting woes outside of Kyrie Irving have held them back. Their defense, however, is a silver lining, ranking sixth in the league, and P.J. Washington has shown he can handle top scorers. If the Mavs can get their offense back on track, they should be a formidable playoff contender. Grade: B
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Denver Nuggets: Adjusting After Caldwell-Pope’s Departure
The Denver Nuggets entered the season with one key question: how would they replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a vital two-way player for the team during their 2023 title run? The answer, at least so far, seems to be Christian Braun and Julian Strawther, who have stepped up admirably in the early going. Denver’s starting five has been stellar, with a league-best net rating, and the team has won five straight games after a rough start. The real concern for the Nuggets is their reliance on Nikola Jokic, who has been performing at an MVP level. While the bench has stabilized, the absence of Aaron Gordon due to injury remains a significant hurdle. Grade: A-
Golden State Warriors: Depth on Display
Steve Kerr’s commitment to utilizing his full roster has paid off in spades so far this season. The Golden State Warriors have fielded a 12-man rotation, a feat no other NBA team has matched. Despite losing key players like De’Anthony Melton to injury, Kerr has managed to keep the squad balanced and deep, with every single player posting a positive net rating. While questions remain about whether this depth can hold up in the postseason, the Warriors’ success early on is a testament to Kerr’s coaching prowess. However, they may need to tighten things up later in the season as playoff intensity rises. Grade: A
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis’ MVP Push
Anthony Davis has emerged as one of the early-season MVP candidates, thanks to his stellar play and heightened usage rate under new Lakers coach JJ Redick. Davis has been a force on both ends of the floor, with impressive 2-point shooting and a career-high in free throw attempts. LeBron James has also been playing at an elite level, adding four straight triple-doubles, but Davis’ performance has been the standout. With a healthy Davis anchoring the defense and offense, the Lakers are looking like true championship contenders. Grade: A
Milwaukee Bucks: Adjusting to Lillard and Rivers
The Bucks entered the season with high hopes for their revamped roster, especially with the addition of Damian Lillard at point guard. Lillard’s individual play has been solid, but the team as a whole has struggled, particularly on defense. The Bucks rank 19th in defensive rating, a stark contrast to their former defensive prowess under Mike Budenholzer. With few quality wing defenders and Lillard’s defensive limitations, the Bucks are not quite where they hoped to be. Doc Rivers is still experimenting with rotations, but early results have been underwhelming. The Bucks are hoping to turn things around, but as of now, they’ve shown little evidence of title contention. Grade: D
Minnesota Timberwolves: Depth After Trade
The Timberwolves made waves this offseason by trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle in hopes of improving their depth. While the addition of DiVincenzo has helped with perimeter shooting, the Timberwolves’ starting five has struggled to find consistency, particularly with Mike Conley’s inefficient shooting. Despite this, the bench has been a strength, with Randle and DiVincenzo providing valuable contributions. The real question is whether the Timberwolves can get their starters to perform at a higher level as the season progresses. Grade: B
New York Knicks: Towns as the Center Solution
The New York Knicks were desperate for a center after Mitchell Robinson’s injury and Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure. Enter Karl-Anthony Towns, who was brought in to fill the void. However, the Knicks’ defense has faltered with Towns at the center position, as opponents are shooting an alarming 85.5% inside 5 feet when he’s the primary defender. Despite Towns’ offensive abilities, the Knicks have struggled defensively, particularly with corner 3s, which they’re allowing at the highest rate in the league. Towns’ defensive shortcomings are a real concern, and New York may need to make further adjustments if they want to contend for a playoff spot. Grade: C
Philadelphia 76ers: Embiid and George’s Health
The Philadelphia 76ers’ priority this season has been clear: they need Joel Embiid and Paul George to stay healthy for the playoffs. After a rough start to the season, with a 2-10 record, the 76ers are still managing to stay afloat in the weak Eastern Conference. The team is following its plan to rest Embiid and George during back-to-backs, hoping to avoid injuries that have plagued both players in the past. While the 76ers’ playoff hopes are still alive, their early-season struggles suggest that they might need to revisit their strategy if the losses keep piling up. Grade: B
San Antonio Spurs: Wemby’s Success Amidst Struggles
Victor Wembanyama has been everything the San Antonio Spurs hoped for, but the team has struggled to surround him with the right support. With Chris Paul brought in to mentor and assist Wembanyama, the early returns have been mixed. Wembanyama’s shot quality has improved, but he’s been forced into tougher shots as the Spurs lack a playmaker to ease his transition. Nevertheless, Wembanyama’s development, especially with his 3-point shooting and free throw accuracy, offers hope for the future. If he can continue to improve his long-range shooting, he could become a dominant offensive force. Grade: C
As the season progresses, these teams will continue to adjust and refine their strategies. While some have seen immediate success, others are still working through early-season challenges. It will be fascinating to see how these teams adapt as the playoff picture begins to take shape in the coming months.
