NBA Insiders: What to Watch as the 2024-25 Regular Season Winds Down
As we approach the thrilling conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the excitement is palpable. With the regular season set to wrap up on April 13, teams are laser-focused on securing their spots in the postseason. While the Oklahoma City Thunder have already locked in the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, the battle for the No. 2 seed is heating up. Over in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks have already punched their tickets to the playoffs.
With so much at stake, our NBA insiders Brian Windhorst, Bobby Marks, Tim MacMahon, Zach Kram, and Jamal Collier are here to break down the key storylines to watch in these final weeks. From contract incentives to the race for the No. 1 draft pick, there’s no shortage of drama as the season winds down.
Contract Incentives: Who’s Cashing In?
Contract incentives are always a fascinating subplot as the season comes to a close. This year, 53 players, including stars like Kevin Durant, Derrick White, Aaron Gordon, and Dejounte Murray, had various incentives in their contracts. These range from All-Star selections to specific statistical achievements. Durant, White, and Jae’Sean Tate have already met their criteria, earning a combined $2 million. White also snagged an extra $500,000 for playing in at least 70 games.
Looking ahead, ESPN projects that only five players are on track to earn their bonuses: Dillon Brooks, Jonathan Isaac, Cameron Johnson, Chris Paul, and Julius Randle. Brooks will earn $1 million if the Houston Rockets clinch a playoff spot. Johnson is on track to earn $562,000 if his true shooting percentage stays above 60%, currently at 63.2%. Paul is one win away from a $262,000 bonus, with additional bonuses for net rating and true shooting potentially netting him another $523,000. Randle’s $1.4 million bonus hinges on the Timberwolves reaching the first round, as they are currently in the play-in but just a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 seed.
Isaac’s bonus is perhaps the most intriguing. He stands to earn an extra $2.6 million for appearing in 70 regular-season games for the Orlando Magic. Given his injury history, this seemed unlikely at the start of the season, but he’s played in 65 games so far, on pace for his most since 2018-19.
Memphis Grizzlies: A Team with Much to Prove
The Memphis Grizzlies have found themselves in the spotlight after making a bold move by firing head coach Taylor Jenkins with less than three weeks left in the season. This decision has brought two major factors into play. First, the Grizzlies are taking a gamble by appointing interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, a high-intensity coach with success overseas but no NBA playoff experience. This move could be inspired by general manager Zach Kleiman’s belief in Iisalo’s high-tempo offense, which deviates from NBA norms. If this gamble pays off, it could propel Memphis into a strong postseason run.
Second, the team’s stars, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, have seen their minutes, shots, and points decrease this season. While the Grizzlies’ offensive efficiency has improved, questions about Morant’s future in Memphis have surfaced, especially with his eligibility for a contract extension this summer. Kleiman has dismissed these rumors, but the Grizzlies’ underperformance remains a concern. After being the No. 2 seed in the West in early February, they’ve been slipping in the standings, losing momentum as the playoffs approach. It’s time for Memphis to prove themselves when it matters most.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race: A Battle for Position
In the Eastern Conference, the race for the fourth through sixth seeds is heating up, with the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks all vying for position. The Bucks have been dealt a blow with Damian Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clots in his right calf. While there’s optimism he’ll return this season, the Bucks have already dropped six of their last ten games, falling to the No. 6 seed.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have been on fire since the All-Star break, going 13-8, with Tyrese Haliburton playing at an All-NBA level. The Pistons are also surging, aiming to host a first-round matchup in their first playoff appearance since 2019. If the Bucks remain in the No. 6 seed, they could face the Knicks in a star-studded first-round matchup, with the winner likely facing the Celtics in the second round. Meanwhile, the Cavs would have a clearer path to the conference finals with less-experienced teams in their way.
The Tank Race: Who Needs Cooper Flagg the Most?
The Utah Jazz have been in tank mode, hoping to secure the best lottery odds for a shot at Cooper Flagg. Unlike the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, who are early in their rebuilds, or the Charlotte Hornets, who have a potential dynamic duo in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, the Jazz are in dire need of a young star. Flagg would be a perfect fit in Utah, forming a dominant defensive front line with Walker Kessler and partnering with Lauri Markkanen.
Western Conference: Who Will Secure the No. 2 Seed?
In the Western Conference, the race for the No. 2 seed is Houston’s to lose. The Rockets have a two-game cushion over the Nuggets, with the tiebreaker to be decided on the final day of the regular season in Houston. The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers are within striking distance, sitting 4½ and 3½ games back, respectively. Two of the Rockets’ remaining eight games are on the road against the Lakers, adding to the intrigue.
Players to Watch: Meeting the 65-Game Criteria
As the season winds down, several stars are on the cusp of meeting the 65-game criteria for postseason honors. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Anthony Edwards have already met the criteria. Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible for MVP consideration, while Jackson could sign a super max extension if named All-NBA or Defensive Player of the Year.
However, some previous award winners are still short of the criteria, including Nikola Jokic (64 games), Evan Mobley (64), LeBron James (63), Jalen Brunson (61), Stephen Curry (62), Giannis Antetokounmpo (62), Kevin Durant (62), Domantas Sabonis (61), Jaylen Brown (59), and Draymond Green (59). To qualify, a player must appear in at least 20 minutes per game, with two games allowed between 15 to 20 minutes.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
