The 79th NBA Season Concluded With a Historic Finals Showdown and Major Roster Shifts
In short: The 2024–25 NBA season marked a transformative year for the league, defined by a dramatic seven-game Finals series, the retirement of several veteran stars, and a flurry of high-profile trades. From the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship run to the shifting landscapes of franchise rosters, the league experienced significant evolution.
The 79th NBA season spanned from October 22, 2024, to June 22, 2025. The campaign featured the second annual Emirates NBA Cup, which saw the Milwaukee Bucks emerge victorious over the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the season progressed toward the playoffs, the intensity culminated in a Finals series between the Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder secured the title in seven games, marking the first time a Finals series reached a seventh game since 2016 and the 20th such occurrence in league history. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was recognized for his performance, earning the Finals MVP award.
Off the court, the league saw a wave of departures as several notable players retired. This group included Derrick Rose, who was the 2011 league MVP, and Ish Smith, who holds the record for playing for 13 different franchises over his 14-year career. Other veterans hanging up their jerseys included Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward, Joe Harris, AJ Griffin, Danny Green, and Rudy Gay. These retirements signaled a generational shift, even as the league welcomed new talent, such as Zaccharie Risacher, who was selected first overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024 draft.
The offseason and regular season were also marked by aggressive roster management. Major contracts were signed, such as Paul George’s $212 million deal with the 76ers and Isaiah Hartenstein’s $87 million agreement with the Thunder. Meanwhile, complex multi-team trades reshaped the competitive balance. Significant moves included the acquisition of Jimmy Butler by the Golden State Warriors in a five-team trade and a blockbuster deal that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. These transactions, alongside numerous contract extensions for stars like Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, underscored the league's ongoing pursuit of competitive parity and strategic realignment.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2024–25 NBA season
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