The NBA playoffs represent the most critical phase for leading teams seeking to solidify their dominance and emerging contenders aiming to build momentum for the upcoming season. The postseason outcomes will significantly influence the trajectories of prominent players and coaches, extending well into the offseason and beyond.
These playoffs will shape team strategies for the summer and the next season. A past example is the Mavericks` trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February, a decision stemming from Dallas`s journey to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Therefore, monitoring key individuals throughout the playoffs is crucial. For players like Doncic, a strong postseason showing is essential to validate their status. For certain veterans and rising stars, substantial contracts are at stake. And for several coaches, their performance could determine their job security.
As the play-in tournament precedes the playoffs, let`s examine 25 significant figures and the potential impact of this postseason on their futures.
Sections:
Stars with something to prove
Top youngsters aiming for the next step
Pivotal veterans who could define a deep run
Money on the line for these key players
Coaches at the center of attention
Stars with something to prove
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
What to watch for: The Mavericks` choice to trade Doncic, a rare move for a superstar in his prime, is significant. They justified it by claiming Anthony Davis offered a better chance at championships, shortly after Doncic led them to the Finals. This postseason is essentially Doncic`s quest for vindication.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
What to watch for: Despite the Pacers reaching the 2024 Eastern Conference finals, Haliburton`s performance was somewhat subdued due to a midseason hamstring injury, averaging less than his regular season stats. This season, he`s showing strong pre-playoff form, improving his scoring and assists since the All-Star break with better 3-point shooting.
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
What to watch for: Similar to Haliburton, Leonard appears healthy for the playoffs, averaging impressive stats since the All-Star break. His athleticism is back, but his history includes playoff series cut short by injury since 2021.
Injuries have prevented Leonard from completing a playoff series since 2021.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
What to watch for: Mitchell`s high playoff scoring average is notable, ranking among the all-time greats. However, unlike those ahead of him, he hasn`t reached the Finals. Leading a strong team as the East`s top seed, this is Mitchell`s opportunity to prove his playoff mettle.
With a stronger team and the East`s top seed, this is Mitchell`s chance to demonstrate his playoff prowess.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
What to watch for: Towns` addition significantly boosted the Knicks` offense. However, their struggles against top-tier teams raise defensive concerns. After a conference finals run with the Timberwolves as a power forward, Towns needs to anchor a solid playoff defense at center for the Knicks.
Towns must show he can anchor a capable playoff defense at center.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
What to watch for: The Hawks improved despite trading key scorers, but Young`s performance wasn`t the primary driver. His scoring and shooting percentage dipped. For Atlanta to advance from the play-in and compete in the first round, they need the impactful Young from their 2021 conference finals run.
If Atlanta is to get out of the play-in and be competitive, they need the Young from 2021.
Rising stars aiming for the next step
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
What to watch for: Cunningham`s standout season, leading the Pistons back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, is a major storyline. An All-Star and likely All-NBA player, he now faces his first playoff experience against the Knicks.
Cunningham will now get his first taste of the postseason.
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
What to watch for: The Cavaliers` decision to maintain the Garland-Mitchell backcourt paid off with Garland`s All-Star season and the team`s top seed. The playoffs pose a tougher challenge for Garland, especially defensively against teams like Boston. He needs to elevate his offensive impact compared to his injury-affected 2023-24 playoffs.
Garland must make defenses pay at the other end.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
What to watch for: An injury hampered Holmgren`s second NBA season, but he`s crucial for the Thunder`s Finals aspirations. His offense improved towards the end of the regular season. He will be a key offensive option when defenses focus on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Holmgren will be an important outlet when defenses focus on Gilgeous-Alexander.
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
What to watch for: The playoffs could be Thompson`s breakout. As a starter, he`s averaged impressive stats. Coach Udoka`s deployment of Thompson alongside Dillon Brooks will be interesting to watch on the Rockets, who drastically improved their seeding.
How Udoka deploys Thompson alongside Dillon Brooks will be worth watching.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
What to watch for: While Banchero played well in his playoff debut, Wagner was inconsistent in last year`s first-round loss. He needs to maintain his improved season averages to help Orlando compete.
Wagner has taken a step forward this season and needs to maintain that.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
What to watch for: The Thunder need more from Williams, their second scorer, compared to last season`s second-round loss. His improved All-Star season, with increased offensive involvement, suggests a stronger playoff performance.
Williams has responded with his first All-Star campaign, boding well for a stronger playoff run.
Pivotal veterans who could define a deep run
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
What to watch for: Brown`s playoff capabilities are proven after winning Finals MVP in 2024. The concern is his knee health. His scoring dipped in March, possibly due to his knee issue.
The question is strictly one of health for Brown.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
What to watch for: Moving Green to center has improved the Warriors. While not the same rim protector, his position in switchable lineups has boosted their turnover rate. Maintaining this in the playoffs is crucial for Golden State`s contention.
Can Golden State keep that defensive level up in the playoffs?
Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks
What to watch for: The Bucks traded for Kuzma hoping for an upgrade from his Wizards tenure. While his 3-point shooting improved, his overall impact hasn`t fully met expectations, especially with Lillard`s absence. Milwaukee might need more from Kuzma to advance in the playoffs.
Milwaukee may need more from Kuzma to win a playoff series.
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
What to watch for: Murray has been a playoff standout in past Nuggets` runs, performing at an All-NBA level in the playoffs despite not being one in the regular season. However, he struggled in last year`s conference semis loss. His performance significantly impacts the Nuggets` success.
Murray`s performance is key to the Nuggets` playoff success.
Money on the line for these key players
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
What to watch for: Giddey, acquired by the Bulls, is a restricted free agent this summer. His strong second half of the season has boosted his value. Leading Chicago from the play-in and performing well in the playoffs would further solidify his market value.
Giddey can prove his value by leading Chicago in the playoffs.
James Harden, LA Clippers
What to watch for: Harden`s contract includes a player option. A strong postseason could increase his leverage. He`s had his best scoring season since 2020-21 and made the All-Star team, partly due to the Clippers` overperformance.
Harden can increase his contract leverage with a strong postseason.
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
What to watch for: This contract year hasn`t gone as Kuminga hoped. He lost his starting role and his scoring declined. Butler`s addition has complicated his fit with the Warriors, and his playoff rotation role is uncertain. He needs to find chances to showcase his value.
Kuminga needs to find opportunities to prove his value.
Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves
What to watch for: Randle`s player option decision is significant. In a reduced role with the Timberwolves, his stats have decreased. A strong playoff run could offset this, though his past playoff shooting struggles in New York are a concern.
Randle`s playoff performance will influence his player option decision.
Coaches at the center of attention
David Adelman, Denver Nuggets
What to watch for: Adelman unexpectedly became head coach after Malone`s dismissal. Despite a good start, the playoffs are a different challenge. His unprecedented inexperience as a playoff head coach for a championship contender is noteworthy.
Adelman`s inexperience as playoff head coach is a key storyline.
Tuomas Iisalo, Memphis Grizzlies
What to watch for: Iisalo, like Adelman, is inexperienced, having coached the final games after replacing Jenkins. While Adelman has assistant coaching experience, the play-in will be Iisalo`s first NBA postseason experience after a European coaching career.
The play-in will be Iisalo`s first NBA postseason experience.
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
What to watch for: Last season`s championship validated Mazzulla`s approach. This year, Boston amplified their 3-point shooting, setting an NBA record. Their playoff outcome will be heavily linked to this style, for better or worse.
The Celtics` playoff results will reflect on their 3-point heavy style.
JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
What to watch for: Compared to Adelman and Iisalo, Redick is more seasoned, having coached a full season. Leading a team with Doncic and James is a major step for the first-time head coach. He has built a strong defensive culture and rotation. Now he faces the playoff challenge.
Redick faces the challenge of managing a playoff run.
Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
What to watch for: Udoka has transformed the Rockets into a top defense in two seasons. Another deep playoff run, after leading the Celtics to the 2023 Finals, would solidify his top-coach status. However, he has more playoff experience than most of his key players.
Udoka`s playoff experience is greater than most of his Rockets stars.
