Three of the NBA’s Biggest Surprises Heading Into the All-Star Break

As always, the NBA season is full of surprises. Disappointing teams, overachieving underdogs, and shocking trades keep fans tuned into the association during a long 82-game regular season. This season has been no different; in fact, happenings around the league have made this one of the most hectic regular seasons in recent history. Heading into the all-star break this weekend, here are the league’s three biggest surprises thus far in the 2024-25 NBA season.

3. The Success of the Houston Rockets, Fueled by Young Talent

Despite having recently slipped to fourth in the Western Conference standings, the Houston Rockets have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this season, having been top three in the conference for most of the year. Led by young stars Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green, the Rockets sit 13 games over .500, ahead of teams like the Timberwolves, Kings, Warriors, and Suns. Although they looked like overpays at the time, veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have been exactly what the Rockets’ young core needed. With other young players like Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard currently developing, the Rockets have a bright future ahead of them. Currently in the thick of the Western Conference playoff standings, the Rockets are hopeful to continue their surprising season by winning their first playoff series since the 2019-20 season. The Portland Trail Blazers amassing 23 wins already, having only finished with 21 all of last year, makes them an honorable mention as an overachieving team.

2. The Collapse of the Philadelphia 76ers

While many did not expect the acquisition of Paul George to earn the 76ers a title, no one could have expected the team to sit 11th in the Eastern Conference heading into the all-star break. Not even in a position to enter the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Sixers sit 14 games below .500 with a record of 20-34. Tyrese Maxey has done his best to hold the fort in the absence of George, Joel Embiid, and overachieving rookie Jared McCain, who have all missed significant time due to injury, but his many scoring outbursts and 27.6 points per game average haven’t helped Philly add much to the win column. If it’s any consolation, the Sixers have found a great bargain signing in French big man Guerschon Yabusele, who returned to the league for the first time since the 2018-19 season. The Orlando Magic are an honorable mention as another disappointing team; however, taking into consideration injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, in addition to the fact that they sit considerably higher up in the standings than the Sixers, Philly proves to be the bigger disappointment thus far.

1. The Luka Dončić Trade

Luka Dončić being traded to the Lakers for a package headlined by Anthony Davis was by far the most surprising transaction to take place. Shockingly, the Mavericks decided to give up on their future in hopes of winning a title with aging superstars Davis and Kyrie Irving. This marked the first time since 1975 that a player with a career average as high as 28.6 points per game had been traded, with that player being Luka Dončić this year and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. For those wondering, Kareem went on to three more MVP awards and five more NBA Championships after being traded from the Bucks to the Lakers. As a result, the Bucks went on a 50-year title drought before breaking the spell finally in 2021. Having not learned from Milwaukee’s mistake, the Dallas Mavericks are almost guaranteed to end up on the wrong side of history, as the Lakers look to reap the benefits of shrewd negotiating once again. The De’Aaron Fox trade makes for an honorable mention but is nowhere near the magnitude of the Dončić/Davis swap.

As all-star festivities are set to take place this weekend, there are still many more surprises left in store for the 2024-25 season. Whether it comes from a second-half outburst, a season-ending injury, or a brand new NBA Champion, there is still so much to look forward to as the regular season closes. With many teams in contention, the playoffs are set to be as competitive as ever, with young teams and new faces eager to pounce. No matter which way you look at it, the second half and playoffs will put the cherry on top of an already astonishing NBA season.