With NBA free company signings slowing down and the Summer season 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 various.
Every convention has one “group of dying” and one weaker group, so let’s break down these teams method too early within the 12 months.
Jap 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 shall be with out its star participant, Jayson Tatum, and shall be making an attempt to piece collectively its roster with the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Vacation. This could be a battle for the Celtics early within the season, however I 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, greatest cores within the East.
Detroit and Orlando are proper behind Boston, however with one other 12 months of growth and the addition of the sharp-shooting guard Desmond Bane, each of those groups might be poised for breakout years. If Cade Cunningham will be the perfect participant on this group, I might 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 reside 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
Could 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives to the basket towards Indiana Pacers ahead Aaron Nesmith (23) in the course of the first quarter of sport 5 of the second spherical for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Area. Necessary Credit score: Ken Blaze-Imagn Photos The Pacers are the reigning Jap Convention champions, however how will they fare with out the guts and soul of their crew? Tyrese Haliburton will miss your complete 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 received 60-plus regular-season video games.
Cleveland could be the favourite, however Atlanta at all times appears to have their quantity. I like their offseason additions of Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Orlando has been getting all of the media consideration after including Desmond Bane, however the additions to the younger core of Trae Younger, Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher make this crew 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 positive Toronto goes in the best course, 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
Feb 28, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New York Knicks heart Karl-Anthony Cities (32) reacts in the course of the second quarter towards the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Necessary Credit score: Petre Thomas-Imagn Photos This group type of stinks.
New York is by far the favourite right here. The Knicks are returning most of their unit that was simply within the Jap Convention finals and in addition made a few savvy veteran additions as properly.
Myles Turner was a pleasant pickup for the Bucks, and Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be probably the most dominant participant within the league, however I don’t actually suppose they will match most groups which have any quantity of firepower.
Chicago, Miami and Charlotte. P-U. Simply three unhealthy groups.
Winner: New York Knicks
Sleeper: Milwaukee Bucks
Western Convention
Group C: Houston, Denver, Golden State, Portland, and San Antonio
Dec 6, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets ahead Jabari Smith Jr. (10) talks to protect Fred VanVleet (5) throughout a Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder timeout within the second quarter at Toyota Middle. Necessary Credit score: Thomas Shea-Imagn Photos Not like Group C within the East, this fivesome is wonderful.
In case you advised me that each one 5 of those groups made the playoffs subsequent 12 months, I genuinely wouldn’t be shocked. 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 unhealthy.
Denver determined they nonetheless needed to try to compete after they have the perfect participant within the NBA by shifting Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson—a kind of strikes that looks like such a no brainer for Denver. Only a nice transfer that simply improves the ground of this crew.
Stephen Curry. Jimmy Butler. In what is basically a one-game collection, these are two dudes you don’t wish to see.
Then the again finish of this group continues to be so deep. Portland made an incredible veteran addition to what was one of many prime defenses within the second half of the 12 months by including Jrue Vacation. The Spurs already had Victor Wembanyama and in addition added the second general decide, Dylan Harper. I’m unsure if the Spurs shall be good but, however they may as soon as once more be must-watch TV.
Winner: Houston Rockets
Sleeper: Portland Path Blazers
Group A: Oklahoma Metropolis, Minnesota, Sacramento, Phoenix, Utah
Mar 9, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) holds his hand up celebrating making a 3 level shot towards the San Antonio Spurs within the first half at Goal Middle. OK, this group has nothing within the backside half. It might simply have the three worst groups within the West. Nevertheless, a Western Convention finals rematch between Oklahoma Metropolis and Minnesota is precisely what NBA followers are searching 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 be capable to get sufficient level differential to nonetheless win the wild card within the West.
Sacramento and Phoenix could be fairly robust to observe this season, however I’m type of intrigued by Utah. Danny Ainge is taking lots of bizarre dangers, and I don’t love his trades of John Collins and Collin Sexton. But I nonetheless suppose this crew would possibly shock folks somewhat bit this 12 months.
Winner: Minnesota Timberwolves
Sleeper: Utah Jazz
Group B: L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans
Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Utah Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen (23) in the course of the second quarter at Delta Middle. Necessary Credit score: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Photos I don’t suppose this shall be LeBron’s closing 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 loads in Group B. I feel they match up very properly with this complete group.
The Clippers may need their first full season of wholesome Kawhi Leonard, and that’s harmful. They’re simply the highest risk for the Lakers, however I simply suppose they’re a matchup the Lakers can exploit—a a lot older crew that received’t be capable to run them out of the health club.
Memphis seems prefer it needs to dip its toes within the concept 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 could be hypocritical, however I kinda suppose the Pelicans are the largest sleeper crew within the NBA. A really wholesome Pelicans crew can win 50 video games. Zion Williamson is lastly moving 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