Dec 21, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks show the NBA Cup earlier than a sport in opposition to the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Discussion board. Necessary Credit score: Benny Sieu-Imagn Pictures
With NBA free company signings slowing down and the Summer time League choosing up steam, the league dropped the groupings for the third annual NBA Cup this 12 months, and the distributions of the groups this 12 months are fairly numerous.
Every convention has one “group of loss of life” and one weaker group, so let’s break down these teams method too early within the 12 months.
Japanese Convention
Group B: Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia
The East has method much less depth than the West, however Group B has 4 groups that might simply make it into bracket play.
Boston might be with out its star participant, Jayson Tatum, and might be making an attempt to piece collectively its roster with the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Vacation. This may be a battle for the Celtics early within the season, however I really like what Joe Mazzulla can construct as a coach, and I feel the core of Anfernee Simons, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown continues to be considered one of, if not the, finest cores within the East.
Detroit and Orlando are proper behind Boston, however with one other 12 months of improvement and the addition of the sharp-shooting guard Desmond Bane, each of those groups could possibly be poised for breakout years. If Cade Cunningham might be the most effective participant on this group, I may simply see the Pistons stealing Group B.
Filling out the group are the Sixers and the Nets.
Is Joel Embiid going to be wholesome?
Will Tyrese Maxey dwell as much as his star potential?
Will V.J. Edgecombe be the lacking piece for this 76ers core?
Simply method too many questions out of this squad.
And the Nets are there too …
Winner: Detroit Pistons
Sleeper: Philadelphia 76ers
Group A: Cleveland, Indiana, Atlanta, Toronto, and Washington
The Pacers are the reigning Japanese Convention champions, however how will they fare with out the guts and soul of their staff? Tyrese Haliburton will miss all the 2025–26 season, and I can’t see them replicating their magic from final season with out him. The Cavs would be the favorites for this group, as they return most of their core that simply gained 60-plus regular-season video games.
Cleveland may be the favourite, however Atlanta all the time appears to have their quantity. I really like their offseason additions of Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Orlando has been getting all of the media consideration after including Desmond Banehowever the additions to the younger core of Trae Younger, Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher make this staff my favourite darkish horse within the East.
Washington is method too younger and unpolished to do a lot within the NBA Cup, and I’m not likely certain Toronto goes in the proper path, so I might in all probability rely them out of rivalry in 2025.
Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers
Sleeper: Atlanta Hawks
Group C: Milwaukee, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Charlotte
This group sort of stinks.
New York is by far the favourite right here. The Knicks are returning most of their unit that was simply within the Japanese Convention finals and likewise made a few savvy veteran additions as properly.
Myles Turner was a pleasant pickup for the Bucks, and Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be essentially the most dominant participant within the league, however I don’t actually assume they will match most groups which have any quantity of firepower.
Chicago, Miami and Charlotte. P-U. Simply three dangerous groups.
Winner: New York Knicks
Sleeper: Milwaukee Bucks
Western Convention
Group C: Houston, Denver, Golden State, Portland, and San Antonio
Not like Group C within the East, this fivesome is wonderful.
For those who instructed me that every one 5 of those groups made the playoffs subsequent 12 months, I genuinely wouldn’t be stunned. Houston was already a shock two-seed final 12 months within the West, they usually added a top-10 participant within the historical past of the NBA in Kevin Durant. That ain’t too dangerous.
Denver determined they nonetheless wished to attempt to compete once they have the most effective participant within the NBA by shifting Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson—a type of strikes that appears like such a no brainer for Denver. Only a nice transfer that simply improves the ground of this staff.
Stephen Curry. Jimmy Butler. In what is basically a one-game sequence, these are two dudes you don’t need to see.
Then the again finish of this group continues to be so deep. Portland made an awesome veteran addition to what was one of many high defenses within the second half of the 12 months by including Jrue Vacation. The Spurs already had Victor Wembanyama and likewise added the second total choose, Dylan Harper. I’m unsure if the Spurs might be good but, however they are going to as soon as once more be must-watch TV.
Winner: Houston Rockets
Sleeper: Portland Path Blazers
Group A: Oklahoma Metropolis, Minnesota, Sacramento, Phoenix, Utah
OK, this group has nothing within the backside half. It may simply have the three worst groups within the West. Nevertheless, a Western Convention finals rematch between Oklahoma Metropolis and Minnesota is strictly what NBA followers are on the lookout for. I feel whoever wins that matchup comes out of this group.
Additionally, for the reason that backside half of this group has the least quantity of depth, I feel the loser of OKC and Minnesota would possibly have the ability to get sufficient level differential to nonetheless win the wild card within the West.
Sacramento and Phoenix may be fairly robust to observe this season, however I’m form of intrigued by Utah. Danny Ainge is taking a whole lot of bizarre dangers, and I don’t love his trades of John Collins and Collin Sexton. But I nonetheless assume this staff would possibly shock individuals a little bit bit this 12 months.
Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves
Sleeper: Utah Jazz
Group B: L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans
I don’t assume this might be LeBron’s remaining season, however I’m unsure he has greater than two to a few seasons left within the tank. Regardless of being 40 years previous, I like him and Luka Dončić so much in Group B. I feel they match up very properly with this entire group.
The Clippers might need their first full season of wholesome Kawhi Leonard, and that’s harmful. They’re simply the highest menace for the Lakers, however I simply assume they’re a matchup the Lakers can exploit—a a lot older staff that gained’t have the ability to run them out of the gymnasium.
Memphis seems prefer it needs to dip its toes within the thought of a rebuild. Then we head over to Dallas, who lucked their method into Cooper Flagg. What wholesome teammates will he have for the NBA Cup? Beats me.
I do know I simply made enjoyable of the Mavericks for his or her accidents, so this may be hypocritical, however I kinda assume the Pelicans are the largest sleeper staff within the NBA. A very wholesome Pelicans staff can win 50 video games. Zion Williamson is lastly stepping into form, and when he’s really performed, he has been a top-10 participant within the league. They’ve a bunch of enjoyable items round Zion as properly. Don’t sleep on New Orleans.
Winner: Los Angeles Lakers
Sleeper: New Orleans Pelicans
