The NBA has pulled back the curtain on its full 2024-25 regular-season schedule, and it’s set to be a season brimming with high-stakes drama and can’t-miss matchups. The league’s narrative will be dominated by familiar faces returning to their former stomping grounds, star-studded trades, and pivotal career milestones.
Klay Thompson’s Homecoming
Among the most anticipated games will be Klay Thompson's return to face the Golden State Warriors, the team with which he spent an illustrious 13 years. Thompson's departure left a trail of heartache among Warriors fans and, reportedly, a sense of being edged out from a place he considered home. "Who knows what the actual numbers or official offers were, if there even was one by the end, but you can bet Thompson feels like the Warriors pushed him out the door," sources within the league suggested.
In the meantime, the Warriors have continued to fortify their roster, investing heavily in Jordan Poole and Draymond Green with a combined $240 million deal, aiming to preserve their status as perennial contenders.
Paul George Against the Clippers
The new season will also see Paul George squaring off against the Los Angeles Clippers after the franchise opted not to offer him a max contract. George’s confrontation with his former team is expected to be a fierce one, filled with personal stakes and a hint of redemption.
James Harden Meets the 76ers
Adding to the drama, James Harden will meet the Philadelphia 76ers, the team he famously forced his way out of. Harden's last encounter with the 76ers ended in a nail-biting one-point victory for the Clippers, thanks in part to Harden's impressive 16 points and 14 assists. The 76ers, still reeling from their loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals and the subsequent dismissal of head coach Doc Rivers, will be under the microscope. Rivers' replacement, Nick Nurse, failed to advance the team past the first round, further amping up the pressure for the current season.
Ben Simmons, Obi Toppin, and Player Trades
Philadelphia will also see Ben Simmons return to play on November 22, another storyline loaded with emotional subtext. Meanwhile, Obi Toppin heads to Indiana from New York, securing a $60 million deal and a chance to reinvent himself.
The Thunder have also made significant moves, signing Isaiah Hartenstein to an $87 million contract and trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. Observers note that "Giddey needs the ball in his hands to be his best, and he was never going to get that opportunity in Oklahoma City with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm."
Knicks' Bold Moves
The New York Knicks have been aggressive, trading five first-round picks and Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets for Mikal Bridges. Additionally, they shipped R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby. Barrett made a memorable return to Madison Square Garden, posting 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Quickley chipped in 12 points.
Kings' Strategic Gains
The Sacramento Kings also made waves by acquiring DeMar DeRozan. The trade, which included Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond moving to the Kings, was notable for not costing the franchise a single first-round draft pick.
Returns That Spark Interest
Looking further down the schedule, Kyrie Irving will return to Brooklyn on March 24. Russell Westbrook will face the Lakers, a team from which he was traded, bringing with him an extra edge. As one sports analyst noted, "Westbrook goes full tilt every time he steps on any court, and this won't be the first time he's played the Lakers since he was traded. But my guess is there will always be a little extra vinegar in the tank when he plays in front of the Lakers fans from here on out."
The 2024-25 NBA season holds the promise of unending excitement, underlined by personal vendettas, strategic plays, and players looking to prove their critics wrong. As fans gear up, the narratives that have been set in motion will provide endless speculation and debate, ensuring that each game will be a chapter in what promises to be a riveting season.