Three Big Storylines as 2025 NBA Season Inches Closer to Playoff Time | Deadspin.com

The NBA is back in action Wednesday evening when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets. 

Ironically, these two teams were involved in a trade featuring Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht and Charlotte big man Mark Williams. After this trade was made public, it was rescinded due to an issue with Williams’s physical, and he will be rejoining the Hornets for the first time in this matchup.

While that whole debacle made for great theater, the NBA is a league built on the backbone of drama. With that in mind, these are the three storylines to monitor before the playoffs arrive.

1. Luka Doncic’s Fit With Los Angeles Lakers

When the Dallas Mavericks made the stunning trade with the Lakers surrounding Doncic and Anthony Davis, it was quickly understood that this was a move that sets up Los Angeles for the future.

But the Lakers are currently the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. They have an opportunity to make some noise in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Watching how Doncic and LeBron James work together will be very interesting. Two ball-dominant stars that play a somewhat similar style. 

James has a player option after this season, and it seems like his future is a gigantic question mark right now. It’s hard to see him retiring without a big farewell tour, but how he gels with Doncic and how far the Lakers make it in the NBA Playoffs will likely determine his future.

2. Can Jimmy Butler Save the Golden State Warriors?

The Warriors decided to move mountains for Butler at the trade deadline, seemingly ignoring the fact that they’re the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

Maybe Butler can rejoin the Warriors rested, not just from the All-Star break, but from his several suspensions from the Miami Heat. 

Stephen Curry looks old. Draymond Green spent all of All-Star Weekend serving as an analyst. The Warriors need help in the worst possible way, and they’re banking on Butler to keep them relevant in the playoff picture for this season and beyond.

3. Will the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to own the Eastern Conference?

One of the biggest surprises from the first half of the NBA season was just how easily the Cavs were able to handle literally anybody that stood in their way. They are 44-10, 5.5 games up on the Boston Celtics for the top seed in the East.

New head coach Kenny Atkinson arrived in Cleveland with a bang. The Cavs doubled down on their early success at the deadline, acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang and some second-round picks.

If the Cavs lock up the No. 1 seed in the East, they’re a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.