The 2024-25 NBA regular season is approaching its climax, with teams focused on securing their playoff positions. With the regular season concluding on April 13, there`s still plenty to unfold.
While the Oklahoma City Thunder have secured the top seed in the Western Conference, the battle for the second seed remains intense. In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks have already clinched their playoff berths.
NBA insiders analyze the key storylines for the remaining weeks, from player contract incentives to the race for the top draft pick.
Contract Incentives to Track
This season, 53 players, including notable names like Kevin Durant and Derrick White, have contract incentives tied to various achievements, from All-Star selections to statistical milestones. Durant, White, and Jae`Sean Tate have already met their incentive criteria, earning a combined $2 million.
Projections suggest that Dillon Brooks, Jonathan Isaac, Cameron Johnson, Chris Paul, and Julius Randle are also on track to achieve regular-season bonuses.
Dillon Brooks stands to gain $1 million if the Houston Rockets reach the playoffs. Cameron Johnson could earn $562,000 if he maintains a true shooting percentage above 60%. Chris Paul is close to securing $262,000 with just one more win and has additional bonuses within reach. Julius Randle`s $1.4 million bonus hinges on the Timberwolves reaching the playoffs directly, avoiding the play-in.
Jonathan Isaac`s potential $2.6 million bonus for playing 70 games seemed improbable initially, given his injury history. However, he`s on pace to play his most games since the 2018-19 season.
Playoff Stakes for Contenders
The Memphis Grizzlies are under scrutiny after dismissing coach Taylor Jenkins late in the season. This decision introduces uncertainty as interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, known for his innovative offensive systems but lacking NBA playoff experience, takes over.
This coaching change raises questions about team dynamics, particularly how star players like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane will adapt, especially with decreased playing time and shot attempts this season. Despite improved offensive efficiency, there are questions about Morant`s long-term satisfaction in Memphis, especially as he approaches contract extension eligibility.
The Grizzlies, despite past regular-season success, have yet to translate it into deep playoff runs, facing challenges with injuries and off-court issues. They need to demonstrate their playoff mettle this year.
Eastern Conference Playoff Seeding
The race for the fourth to sixth seeds in the East, involving the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks, is heating up. Damian Lillard`s indefinite absence for the Bucks due to injury has shifted the landscape, causing them to drop in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have been a top-performing team post-All-Star break, and the Pistons are making a push for home-court advantage in the first round, aiming for their first playoff appearance since 2019. The Bucks` slide could set up a challenging first-round series against the Knicks, with a potential second-round matchup against the Celtics looming. This could open a smoother path to the conference finals for the Cavaliers.
Tanking Teams and the Draft Lottery
The Utah Jazz have strategically positioned themselves for a high draft pick after past seasons of late-season tanking yielded lower lottery positions. They are now likely to have favorable lottery odds.
Cooper Flagg, a highly touted prospect, would be a significant asset for any lottery team, but particularly for the Jazz, who are rebuilding after trading key players. Flagg could become a cornerstone player in Utah, complementing existing talent and enhancing their defensive presence.
Western Conference No. 2 Seed Race
The Houston Rockets are currently favored to secure the second seed in the West, a surprising development. They hold a two-game lead over the Denver Nuggets, with their head-to-head matchup on the final day of the season set to be decisive.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers remain contenders, trailing the Rockets, but Houston controls their destiny in the seeding race.
65-Game Criteria Watch
Many stars, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards, have already met the 65-game requirement for postseason awards eligibility. However, several former award winners, such as Nikola Jokic and LeBron James, are close but have not yet reached the threshold.
Players must participate for at least 20 minutes in a game for it to count towards the 65-game minimum, with slight allowances for games with 15 to 20 minutes of play time.
