The Biggest NBA Storylines to Follow in 2025
From veteran legends chasing glory to rising stars in the league, these are the NBA stories you'll want to keep your eye on in 2025.
As the 2024-25 NBA season nears its midpoint, teams and players are starting to find their identities. Some have exceeded expectations (we’re looking at you, Cleveland and Oklahoma City), while others are scrambling to find their footing (Lakers and 76ers).
Franchises with in-their-prime superstars are feeling the pressure to win a ring…or another one. Meanwhile, we’re amid a changing of the guard. Young talents have shaken up the league’s hierarchy, yet long-established superstars who are looking to cement their legacies won’t surrender their throne without a fight.
Every game from here on out carries heightened stakes, and 2025 is shaping up to be a compelling year for the NBA. Here are the biggest narratives to follow in 2025.
Can Boston Go Back-to-Back?
The Celtics had been right there ever since Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown entered the league, and they finally got over the hump last season, giving Boston fans their first NBA championship in over a decade.
Behind the coaching of Joe Mazzula and front-office wizardry of Brad Stevens, the Celtics are laser-focused on becoming the NBA’s first repeat champions since the Warriors in 2017-18. But their road won’t be smooth.
Though the Celtics have looked like one of the league’s best teams so far this season, they need to carefully manage the workloads of Tatum and Brown, and it won’t be easy to make it out of the East. The upstart Cavs and new-look Knicks seem to be particularly formidable foes at this point of the season.
The Twilight of Legends
It’s the end of an era. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are all still playing at a high level, but Father Time is undefeated. LeBron will soon turn 40, while Curry and Durant (both 36) aren’t far behind.
With younger stars like Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominating headlines, it feels like the torch is being passed.
The aging legends’ best days are seemingly behind them, but they’ve still got some gas in the tank. They’re still among the league’s best players, and their competitive juices are still flowing. Meanwhile, their teams are fighting for relevance in the incredibly competitive Western Conference, leaving questions about whether this season will mark their last real shot at contention.
Can the Bucks Finally Solve Their Giannis-Dame Puzzle?
The blockbuster acquisition of Damian Lillard was supposed to push the Milwaukee Bucks back to the top. But Year 1 of the experiment was…not so good.
In January 2024, the Bucks fired coach Adrian Griffin even though they had the second-best record in the league. They’d hoped Doc Rivers would be an upgrade, but struggled amid injuries to both Giannis and Dame, and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
Finding chemistry between the two stars has been a challenge. They’ve looked better at times this season but have struggled at others, particularly when playing on the road. Though Giannis is looking unstoppable, there’ve been mutterings about him potentially being traded.
The pressure is on Milwaukee to figure things out before another disappointing postseason exit derails the franchise’s title window and Giannis gets fed up.
Ja Morant’s Redemption Arc
After a tumultuous chapter marked by off-court controversies, a lengthy suspension, and a right shoulder injury, Ja Morant is getting back into form. The Memphis Grizzlies star has returned with a chip on his shoulder (pun intended), leading his team back into contention for one of the top seeds in the loaded West.
Morant’s leadership will be under a microscope as Memphis tries to establish itself as a legitimate contender. For Ja, this season is about rebuilding his reputation and proving he’s still one of the league’s brightest stars. Leading his team on a playoff run would go a long way in both respects.
Wemby’s Continued Development
Victor Wembanyama entered the league last season with insanely high expectations… yet he somehow exceeded them. Now in his second year, the 7’4” French phenom has taken his game to another level.
Averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game, Wembanyama has become the face of the San Antonio Spurs and even a fringe MVP candidate.
The question for the Spurs is how quickly they can build a contender around their generational talent. Wembanyama’s durability will also be a focal point, as his workload is immense.
Whether San Antonio makes the playoffs this year or not, one thing is clear: Victor Wembanyama will play a key role in the NBA’s future.
Surprises on Surprises
This NBA season has felt less predictable than any other in recent memory. Teams like the Cavs, Thunder, and Houston Rockets are punching above their weight, while others with talented stars like the 76ers and Pelicans are struggling to even get into the playoff mix. A quick glance at the NBA standings highlights just how wild the race has been.
As we look ahead at playoff-position jockeying and the title chase, anything feels possible.
Sixers’ Struggles: Wasting Joel Embiid’s Prime?
Joel Embiid is the 2022-23 MVP. He’s coming off an Olympic gold medal. He’s one of the most dominant big men in NBA history.
But his Philadelphia 76ers have looked anything but dominant this season.
The key issue is that he’s been hampered by injuries. The former Kansas Jayhawk recently called his injuries “depressing.”
Embiid has had a few chapters in his career: the Upstart Years with Ben Simmons, the “good but not quite good enough” years with James Harden, and then…well, this one. For the 30-year-old big man, the stakes are high. Another underwhelming postseason performance will lead to speculation about his long-term future in Philadelphia. Can coach Nick Nurse find a way to right the ship?
The Thunder Are HERE…Right?
No longer the league’s best-kept secret, the Oklahoma City Thunder have officially put fans on notice. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level. Add in complementary standouts like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, along with some valuable role players, and you have a team capable of challenging anyone in the West.
The Thunder have climbed into the top tier of power rankings, but the real test will come in the playoffs. Can they handle the pressure of postseason basketball and take down a seasoned team like Denver or Dallas? The Thunder’s rapid ascent is one of the most exciting storylines in the league, but they still have something to prove.
The Bronny James Experiment
The Lakers made headlines by drafting Bronny James, creating the rarest of NBA storylines: a father-son duo on the same team. Take a second and think about how crazy that is. Father and son! On the same team!
Bronny is still adjusting to the professional game, and he’s spent time with the team’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. He probably won’t ever be a star in the NBA, but he’ll always have eyes on him. That’s the price you pay for being, well, LeBron James Jr.
For his dad, this season isn’t merely about chasing another ring–it’s also about mentoring his son and helping him carve out his own path.
Knicks’ Revamped Roster
The Wide-Open MVP Battle
Just like the NBA title chase, this season’s MVP race is anyone’s ballgame.
Nikola Jokić is once again putting up absurd numbers, while Giannis is dominating on both ends of the floor. Jokić has already won the award three times and Giannis twice – these guys are chasing all-time greatness.
However, this is far from a two-man race. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Jayson Tatum are also in the mix, and don’t sleep on dark horses like Wemby and Donovan Mitchell.
