5 NBA teams expected to face early struggles in the 2024-25 season feat. LA Lakers
The 2024 NBA Draft is behind us and several big name free agents have found new homes. A flurry of activity in the market over the past few months has seen NBA organizations solidy their rosters as they look to make a push for the playoffs. While some teams have added key pieces, others still have major holes in their lineups and/or coaching staffs.
We take a look at five teams that could face early struggles in the 2024-25 season.
5 NBA teams expected to face early struggles in the 2024-25 season feat. LA Lakers
#5. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors may seem like a surprise inclusion on this list considering they have reached the NBA finals six times over the last decade. Last season, however, Steve Kerr's team barely scraped its way into the play-in tournament with an underwhelming 46-36 record.
Draymond Green, 34, is a year older and his disciplinary issues on the court could once again be a problem. The loss of shooting guard Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks will also be a major issue.
While teams in the Western Conference continue to pad their already talented rosters, the Warriors failed to address many of their needs this offseason. The team does have talented players such as Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga in the lineup but still remains heavily reliant on Steph Curry going into the 2024-25 season.
#4. Brooklyn Nets
This is a very different Brooklyn Nets roster than the one that started the 2022-23 season a couple of years ago. All-Stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Iriving have both moved on. Mikal Bridges, who recently joined crosstown rivals the New York Knicks, was the latest high profile departure. That leaves the Nets with a handful of draft picks and a young crop of players to get them through the upcoming season.
Newly appointed head coach Jordi Fernandez has been assigned the challenging task of rebuilding this team and instilling some confidence in the players. The Nets are in full rebuild mode and expect this team to struggle early in the season.
#3. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers entered the 2023-24 season with high expectations but injuries and Tyronn Lue's failure to get his offense to click led to another disappointing first-round exit.
Nine-time All-Star Paul George decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, which leaves a massive hole in the roster.
Perhaps the biggest issue for the Clippers will be Kawhi Leonard's health. The two-time NBA champion withdrew from Team USA's Olympic team due to a knee injury. Over the last three seasons, the forward has managed just 120 games for the organization.
#2. LA Lakers
LeBron James and the LA Lakers are coming off another disappointing 47-35 season. After a first-round loss in the playoffs to the Denver Nuggets, the organization has been unsuccessful in bring in pieces to fortify a lineup that lacks chemistry.
The addition of James' son, Bronny James, has done little to instill confidence in a fanbase that has high expectations. First-round pick Dalton Knecht could develop into a top player, but is unlikely to make a major impact in his rookie year.
The biggest question mark surrounding the Lakers remains newly appointed head coach JJ Redick. The former Duke guard has no coaching experience in the NBA and it will be interesting to see whether he can get the best out of this lineup.
#1. Atlanta Hawks
The Trae Young-Dejounte Murray experiment failed to materialize the way the Atlanta Hawks had hoped. The talented backcourt averaged to combine for 48.2 points per game last season, but looked out of sorts as the Hawks struggled to a dismal 36-46 record to miss out on the playoffs.
The organization made the decision to trade Murray this offseason to the New Orleans Pelicans. There has been talk of a possible trade for Young as well, which only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the organization's direction and future.
Picking up French forward Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick in the NBA draft will provide a base for the future, but the Hawks are in desperate need of reinforcements before the season starts if they hope to have any chance of a playoff push.