Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) takes the ball down court docket as ahead LeBron James (23) appears on in opposition to the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Pictures The NBA is again in motion Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets.Â
Mockingly, these two groups had been concerned in a commerce that includes Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht and Charlotte huge man Mark Williams. After this commerce was made public, it was rescinded resulting from a problem with Williams’s bodily, and he might be rejoining the Hornets for the primary time on this matchup.
Whereas that entire debacle made for nice theater, the NBA is a league constructed on the spine of drama. With that in thoughts, these are the three storylines to observe earlier than the playoffs arrive.
1. Luka Doncic’s Match With Los Angeles Lakers
When the Dallas Mavericks made the gorgeous commerce with the Lakers surrounding Doncic and Anthony Davis, it was shortly understood that this was a transfer that units up Los Angeles for the longer term.
However the Lakers are at the moment the No. 5 seed within the Western Convention. They’ve a chance to make some noise within the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Watching how Doncic and LeBron James work collectively might be very fascinating. Two ball-dominant stars that play a considerably related type.Â
James has a participant choice after this season, and it looks like his future is a big query mark proper now. It’s exhausting to see him retiring and not using a huge farewell tour, however how he gels with Doncic and the way far the Lakers make it within the NBA Playoffs will probably decide his future.
2. Can Jimmy Butler Save the Golden State Warriors?
Feb 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Golden State Warriors ahead Jimmy Butler (10) reacts within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Discussion board. Necessary Credit score: Benny Sieu-Imagn Pictures The Warriors determined to maneuver mountains for Butler on the commerce deadline, seemingly ignoring the truth that they’re the tenth seed within the Western Convention.
Perhaps Butler can rejoin the Warriors rested, not simply from the All-Star break, however from his a number of suspensions from the Miami Warmth.Â
Stephen Curry appears previous. Draymond Inexperienced spent all of All-Star Weekend serving as an analyst. The Warriors want assist in the worst doable means, they usually’re banking on Butler to maintain them related within the playoff image for this season and past.
3. Will the Cleveland Cavaliers proceed to personal the Japanese Convention?
Dec 23, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson stands on the sideline within the first quarter in opposition to the Utah Jazz at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Necessary Credit score: David Richard-Imagn Pictures One of many largest surprises from the primary half of the NBA season was simply how simply the Cavs had been in a position to deal with actually anyone that stood of their means. They’re 44-10, 5.5 video games up on the Boston Celtics for the highest seed within the East.
New head coach Kenny Atkinson arrived in Cleveland with a bang. The Cavs doubled down on their early success on the deadline, buying De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang and a few second-round picks.
If the Cavs lock up the No. 1 seed within the East, they’re a power to be reckoned with come playoff time.
