NBA win totals: Evaluating all 30 teams' projections
It's never too early to start thinking about the NBA. The Olympics and football dominate the headlines in August, but October will be here before you know it. Oddsmakers released their preseason win totals with the NBA transaction period mostly settled. Let's evaluate all 30 teams' win totals.
Western Conference
Thunder 56.5
The Thunder earned the West's No. 1 seed with 57 wins. Oklahoma City had a productive offseason, adding Alex Caruso to replace Josh Giddey and acquiring Isaiah Hartenstein to help the league's third-worst rebounding team.
The Thunder are ahead of schedule, and their young core should continue developing. But 57 wins might be hard to attain in a deeper Western Conference than last season.
Nuggets 52.5
The Nuggets have sacrificed quality players to stay under the dreaded second apron and avoid strict penalties. Bruce Brown ate the bullet last offseason. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's departure may sting even more this summer.
Denver still has Nikola Jokic, the NBA's best player, but its lackluster offseason is cause for concern.
Timberwolves 52.5
The Timberwolves' 56 wins last season were the second most in franchise history. Minnesota is running it back with the same core of Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Rudy Gobert after a Western Conference finals appearance.
Mavericks 50.5
The Mavs won 50 games and earned the fifth seed before a playoff run propelled them to the NBA Finals. Dallas added Klay Thompson to surround Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with more shooting. The Mavs will be in contention for the top seed as long as Doncic guides the ship.
Grizzlies 47.5
Don't forget about the Grizzlies! Oddsmakers certainly aren't, projecting them to finish fifth in the West after a disastrous 2023-24 season. Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and others should help Memphis return to the top of the West, where it was before last season's debacle.
Suns 46.5
The Suns have no choice but to run back their failed attempt at assembling a Big Three. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal played less than half of last year's regular-season games together.
With continuity, a new coach in Mike Budenholzer, and the addition of Tyus Jones, the Suns could improve on their 49 wins - even in a ridiculously competitive West.
Kings 46.5
The Kings missed the postseason in 2023-24 with 46 wins after having the NBA's best offense in 2022-23. Oddsmakers aren't projecting much improvement, which might say more about the West's depth than Sacramento's offseason. The Kings added DeMar DeRozan, who should help improve their offense.
Pelicans 45.5
What will the Pelicans do with Brandon Ingram as he approaches free agency in 2025? Will Zion Williamson follow up a healthy and productive season with another one? And is Daniel Theis a sufficient center?
The addition of Dejounte Murray should bolster a team that won 49 games last season, but the aforementioned questions are hanging over the franchise.
Lakers 43.5
The Lakers won 47 games last year and didn't sign a single free agent. Los Angeles was in the headlines all offseason for hiring JJ Redick and drafting Bronny James, but it didn't substantially improve its team. The Lakers are in for another fight to make the playoffs this season.
Warriors 43.5
The Warriors' dynasty officially ended when Thompson left in free agency. Golden State made slight but insignificant improvements to a team that won 46 games and missed the playoffs. It'll rely on its young core to take a leap.
Rockets 43.5
The Rockets won 41 games, which was only good enough for the West's 11-seed. They should be in the playoff mix if their group of veterans and young pieces improve.
Clippers 40.5
The Clippers opted for mediocrity rather than to pay Paul George. Despite making moves for solid starters to surround the seemingly never-healthy Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles' win total suggests it'll struggle to make the playoffs.
Spurs 35.5
The Spurs signed Chris Paul and landed Harrison Barnes to surround Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio's young pieces with veteran leaders.
San Antonio's good enough to drastically improve on its 22 wins from last season. But a 14-win leap seems excessive - especially when there's a chance the Spurs flip their veteran contracts at the deadline to try to land a better draft pick in a loaded 2025 class.
Jazz 27.5
The Jazz's season hinges on what happens with Lauri Markkanen. Will Utah trade him, keep him, or extend him? Even with him, it's projected to be one of the league's worst teams.
Blazers 22.5
Portland won 21 games last year and added Deni Avdija to its young core. Could things be worse than last year?
Eastern Conference
Celtics 58.5
The Celtics were the best team in basketball all season, but they also lucked out with an unusually weak and derailed Eastern Conference. Boston returned its entire core after winning 64 games, but its top competitors drastically improved.
With Kristaps Porzingis expected to miss the season's first few months and Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jayson Tatum coming off an Olympic run, it's fair to expect some early-season woes from the defending champs.
Knicks 52.5
The Knicks won 50 games despite a barrage of injuries. Bringing Julius Randle back from injury and adding Mikal Bridges makes New York a serious championship contender.
Sixers 51.5
The undisputed offseason winners landed All-Star wing Paul George and a solid collection of contributors to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers won 47 games last year, with Embiid missing 43 games.
While they'll likely rest Embiid frequently to ensure a healthy playoff run, it's hard to see anything short of at least a five-win increase from last season, assuming Embiid doesn't miss extended time.
Bucks 51.5
The Bucks' mundane offseason has some fans concerned about their aging roster. If Damian Lillard can have a better season than last alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will contend for the East in Doc Rivers' first full year walking the sidelines.
Cavaliers 48.5
The Cavs won 48 games with much of their core missing serious time. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley signed extensions this offseason, eliminating a potential distraction.
The Cavs return most of their team and have a presumed upgrade at coach in Kenny Atkinson. Cleveland should clear this win total with some luck from the injury gods.
Magic 47.5
The Magic had the league's third-best defense last year, carrying them to 47 wins and a playoff appearance. They improved their offense by signing Caldwell-Pope. Can they replicate last season's success in a better East?
Pacers 46.5
The Pacers won 47 games, and unique circumstances led to a conference finals appearance last May. Indiana didn't get any worse, but its competition got better.
Heat 44.5
The Heat lost Caleb Martin and made no tangible improvements to their team. Can a committed and healthy Jimmy Butler carry Miami up the East standings?
Hawks 36.5
Atlanta shipped off Murray but kept Trae Young. It doesn't have enough surrounding parts to contend for more than another play-in tournament appearance.
Raptors 30.5
Toronto's building around budding star Scottie Barnes and mostly mediocre young pieces. Coming off a 25-win season, it'll be another forgetful campaign.
Hornets 29.5
Vegas expects a solid jump from the Hornets after they won 21 games. Charlotte has valuable pieces, and LaMelo Ball will be back healthy.
Bulls 27.5
Chicago is finally starting to enter a rebuild and escape complacency. Zach LaVine is the next piece to trade, which should result in a lousy Bulls campaign.
Pistons 25.5
The Pistons had the NBA's worst record last campaign at 14-68. Cade Cunningham signed a massive extension this offseason, and they have a plethora of recent high draft picks. However, that's unlikely to lead to a 12-game win increase.
Wizards 21.5
The goal for the Wizards is clear: develop young talent and lose as many games as possible to get the best chance at earning the first overall pick to draft Cooper Flagg.
Twenty-two wins would've tied for the fifth-worst record last season. It's hard to imagine Washington being that good in this campaign.
Nets 19.5
The Nets brilliantly got their picks for the upcoming drafts and are in full tank mode. This putrid roster shouldn't come close to 20 wins.
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.