By: VINCENT MENDOZA / CO-NEWS EDITOR
The 2024-2025 NBA season is just over halfway completed, with All-Star Weekend is right around the corner. Looking into the current standings, the 4th and 10th seeds in the Western Conference are separated by just four games, creating much anticipation for the post-All-Star playoff race.
4. Denver Nuggets (28-19)
The Denver Nuggets have met the expectations of analysts and fans alike, taking a visible step back compared to last season. Despite three-time MVP Nikola Jokić leading the Nuggets to the fourth best offensive rating and third most points per game, scoring roughly 121 per contest, their defensive woes and lack of depth have been their two major faults.
Denver is the sixth worst team in opponents’ points per game, allowing opposing teams to score above 116 a night, while ranking just outside the bottom 10 in defensive rating.
Come playoff time, coaches tighten up rotations, allowing for a maximum of 10 players to touch the court. Although the Nuggets already have their eight-man lineup solidified, they will more than likely be burnt out by the first round. Outside of the Nuggets starting lineup, guards Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and forward Peyton Watson are the only other productive players on the roster.
Gordon, who has already missed 21 games due to right calf strains, does not have a reliable backup at his position. The same can be said for Jokić, who stands 14th in usage rate at 30%. As a result of the league’s new second apron CBA agreement, Denver wasn’t able to resign pivotal role players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown, both of which assisted the Nuggets in their 2023 championship victory.
If healthy, Denver can compete with anyone in the West. However, it will be more of a battle than in years past. Defense wins championships and without a strong defensive identity, the Nuggets could fall short against elite offenses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (26-19)
The Los Angeles Lakers, led by first-year head coach JJ Redick, a 40-year-old LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are in an interesting position heading into the All-Star break. Despite the Lakers possessing a negative net rating, an average offensive rating and bottom 10 defensive rating, the city of Purple and Gold finds itself seven games above .500.
James, Davis and Austin Reaves have all played well individually, but everything else has failed to come together as planned. Sixth-year forward Rui Hachimura, rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht and 21-year-old guard Max Christie have all stepped up at times when the Lakers needed it. However, lack of urgency to make major moves this past offseason is catching up with them.
The Lakers just traded away D’Angelo Russell, a player they could’ve chosen to move away from during the offseason. In return, Los Angeles received Shake Milton and Dorian-Finney Smith, neither of which move the needle into true championship contention. The Lakers also have no reliable frontcourt depth, causing defensive collapses issues when Davis isn’t on the floor.
Prior to their 117-96 victory against the Boston Celtics, Davis bluntly stated his desire for the team to trade for another big man in an interview with Shams Charania of ESPN:
“I think we need another big (man),” Davis said. “I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been a four and having a big out there. We know it worked when we won a championship with JaVale (McGee) and Dwight (Howard), them at the five and I’m at the four.”
Ultimately, the ceiling for the Lakers is a Western Conference Semifinals appearance and their floor is a play-in exit. Since Los Angeles’ NBA Finals victory back in October of 2020, they have failed to maximize Davis’ prime and the last of LeBron’s greatness, a disappointment for the organization and basketball fans around the world.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (27-20)
The Clippers’ new state-of-the-art Intuit Dome arena has brought some new life into this team. After letting Paul George walk in free agency and extending an injury-prone Kawhi Leonard during the 2023-24 season, many believed the Clippers would be under .500 or hovering right around it. This team had different ideas.
Former MVP and three-time scoring champ James Harden has been the leader this team so desperately needed. In 43 games played, the Beard is averaging 22 points, six rebounds and over eight assists a night, remaining one of the league’s premier playmakers while still putting up points consistently.
Norman Powell has been the perfect replacement for George’s offensive production, leading the Clippers in points per game, scoring 24 points a night on high efficiency. Zubac, standing as the longest tenured player on the roster, is putting up 15 points and 12.5 boards a night, both of which are career highs. Forwards Amir Coffey and Derrick Jones Jr, as well as guard Kevin Porter Jr. have also proved to be reliable pieces for head coach Tyronn Lue.
The Los Angeles Clippers have exceeded the expectations of many. If they can remain a top five defensive team, clean up their offense and get a healthy Kawhi the remainder of the season, they have a chance at upsetting more favorable matchups in the playoffs.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (26-21)
Just 20 days before the tip-off of this season, the Minnesota Timberwolves dealt Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Thus far, the results have been satisfactory.
Similar to the Denver Nuggets, the reasoning behind this decision was influenced by the new CBA agreement. With Towns off the books, the Timberwolves would be able to re-sign last year’s Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid or take a different direction if they choose to do so. Although the financial freedom is a positive, Minnesota has felt the repercussions of losing one of the greatest shooting big men of all time.
Superstar guard Anthony Edwards ranks top five in the association in three point attempts and makes per game, while leading the league in total threes made. Edwards, a player who has displayed athletic prowess since stepping foot in the league, is now forced to attempt more 25-footers than anyone else.
Offensively, Randle and DiVincenzo have both struggled throughout the course of this season but have started to find their rhythm as of late.
Despite Minnesota’s offensive struggles, their defense has continued to be elite. The Timberwolves’ defense, led by four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, places top five in defensive rating and opponents’ points per game, allowing under 108 per contest.
With roughly 35 games left to go, Minnesota will have more time to solve their problems offensively, but it will be difficult. In the month of February, the Timberwolves will face off against the top-seeded OKC Thunder and the second-seeded Houston Rockets, both of which possess top five defenses. If Minnesota can put the pieces together offensively, they have a solid chance to make it back to the Western Conference Finals, a setting not too foreign for this squad.
8. Dallas Mavericks (26-22)
The reigning Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks have had a rough first half of the season. After starting out 5-7, Dallas turned things around, winning 14 out of their next 17 games before heading into their WCF rematch on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With just under three minutes left in the second quarter, Dončić left the game following a non-contact calf injury. The Mavericks ended up losing this game 105-99, marking the beginning of their skid.
Since losing the superstar guard, the Mavericks have lost 12 of their last 19 games. Despite the losses, the Mavericks have been competitive, losing just three games by 15 points or more.
Dončić hasn’t been the only Maverick to go down with an injury. Sophomore center Dereck Lively II will also be sidelined a minimum of four weeks dealing with an ankle injury sustained on January 14.
Although injuries have hurt Dallas, other players have stepped up. Warriors legend and four-time champ Klay Thomspon has gotten comfortable in his new home, averaging 13.6 points on 40% from three. In the frontcourt, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have both stepped up in absences of Dončić and Lively II on both sides of the floor.
Veteran guard Kyrie Irving has continued to be a big contributor, averaging 24 points, five rebounds and five assists on approximately 50/40/90 splits. The absence of Dončić has also allowed backup guards Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy to see more time on the floor and gain more experience ahead of the playoffs.
With Dončić coming back very soon, the Mavericks have more than enough time to propel themselves standings and pick up where they left off.
9. Phoenix Suns (24-22)
The Phoenix Suns find themselves in one of the worst positions in the NBA. As of now, the big three of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker has been nothing short of a failure. For a team with three offensive juggernauts, it should be a guarantee that the team ranks top five in points per game and offensive rating. This has not been the case.
While Durant has displayed offensive excellence, averaging 27 points on 52/40/83 splits, Booker has regressed in efficiency, posting shooting splits comparable to his sophomore and junior seasons. Beal, who was recently removed from the starting lineup, is scoring just under 17 a game, a mark we haven’t seen from him in a decade.
As a team, Phoenix finds themselves towards the middle of the pack in points per game, putting up just under 113 a night, in addition to placing just inside the top 10 in offensive rating. Unfortunately, their defense hasn’t been any better.
The Valley allows opponents to score roughly 114 points per game, 18th amongst the league, with their defensive rating ranking sixth worst in the league. Before being benched and ultimately exiled from the lineup, center Jusuf Nurkić posted the worst defensive box plus/minus in the NBA. When Nurkić was on the court, he was six points worse than the average player. For reference, zero is average, plus or minus two is pretty good/bad, and five is really good/bad.
Although there are a large number of concerns surrounding this organization, there have been some bright spots on this roster. 2024 free agent acquisition Tyus Jones has filled his role perfectly. The veteran guard is scoring approximately 12 points and dishing out six assists per contest. Center Nick Richards, who has appeared in just five games for the Suns since being traded on January 15, is putting up 12 points and 11 boards a night while providing much-needed interior defense.
Although Phoenix has been heavily involved in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes, it is unlikely this trade will come to fruition. There were lingering reports hinting at a three-team trade between Phoenix, Miami, and Chicago but those rumors quickly got shut down after Beal stated he won’t waive his no trade clause for Chicago.
With little-to-no room to make roster changes ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, Phoenix is stuck in a difficult position. However, with the addition of Richards, as well as Durant, Booker, and other quality role players, there is still time for the Suns to climb the standings as they are just 3.5 games back from the 4th seed.
10. Sacramento Kings (24-23)
In an act of desperation, the Sacramento Kings traded for mid-range maestro and veteran forward DeMar DeRozan. Although the move hasn’t been necessarily bad, it hasn’t raised the Kings’ chances to make a postseason run.
Yes, Sacramento has gone 11-4 since promoting Doug Christie to head coach after firing Mike Brown. However, the front office looks like they are going to move in a different direction.
On January 28, ESPN’s Shams Charania stated “The Sacramento Kings are expected to open talks for a potential De'Aaron Fox trade ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline.”
Fox, who made an All-NBA team in the 2022-23, has many potential suitors with the San Antonio Spurs atop the list. If Fox does get dealt, especially to the Spurs who are just 2.5 games back from Sacramento, the chances of locking in a play-in seed are up in the air. Does trading Fox indicate more drastic changes ahead, or does it end with Fox?
On one hand, Sacramento can retain the pair of Malik Monk and Domantas Sabonis who have both excelled individually this season, along with other valuable players such as Keegan Murray and DeRozan. On the other hand, Monte McNair, general manager of the Kings, can trade everyone while their stock is high.
Just two seasons ago, the Sacramento Kings were “lighting the beam” and quickly becoming one of the league’s premier young teams. Fast forward to the current day, the Kings are hovering over .500 with a nearly identical roster.
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