Donovan Mitchell Selects Thunder Or Wolves To Make The 2025 NBA Finals From The West

Donovan Mitchell is picking the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves to make the 2025 NBA Finals. During his appearance on the 'Million Dollaz Worth of Game' show, Mitchell expressed his confidence in these two teams:

“I would say it’s probably gon’ be Minnesota or OKC. I think Minnesota, they some dogs. I think they figured it out too about themselves. They made some trades and made some different acquisitions and all that, but they figured it out."

"OKC adding Alex Caruso, I don’t think people really understand what that does for that lineup. You’ve already got Wallace over there, you’ve got Lu Dort, Shai's not a bad defender himself. You add Alex Caruso to that lineup." (24:09)

Mitchell's confidence in these teams is well-founded based on their performance in the previous season. The Thunder finished first in the Western Conference with an impressive record of 57-25. They demonstrated their potential by reaching the second round of the playoffs, where they faced a tough series against the Dallas Mavericks .

The Timberwolves also had a remarkable season, finishing third in the Western Conference with a record of 56-26. They showed their prowess in the playoffs by sweeping the Phoenix Suns in the first round and then outlasting the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a thrilling seven-game series. However, their journey ended in the Western Conference Finals, where they were eliminated by the Mavericks.

Mitchell's prediction highlights the significant improvements both teams have made. The addition of Alex Caruso to the Thunder’s lineup brings defensive tenacity and experience, which complements their young and dynamic roster. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have developed a strong core and made strategic moves to enhance their competitiveness.

As the 2025 season unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see if Mitchell’s prediction comes true. The Thunder and the Timberwolves have the potential to make deep playoff runs, and it will be exciting to see if they can turn their promise into a Finals appearance.

Can The Cavaliers Challenge The Celtics?

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2024-25 season with cautious optimism, retaining key pieces of their roster while facing questions about their potential to rise as formidable contenders in the Eastern Conference. The team's continuity, marked by stability and the retention of star players, presents both a strength and a potential limitation.

A significant positive for the Cavaliers is keeping Donovan Mitchell , whose leadership and scoring ability provide a solid foundation. Mitchell’s presence ensures that the team has a reliable offensive weapon and a proven leader. Additionally, retaining Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen solidifies the core of the team. Garland’s playmaking skills and Allen’s defensive prowess are crucial for the team’s performance on both ends of the floor.

However, the roster remains largely unchanged from last season, raising doubts about their ability to significantly improve. Despite a respectable regular-season record, the Cavaliers fell short in the playoffs. The question now is whether maintaining a similar roster will yield better results or lead to stagnation. The addition of Max Strus adds new energy and shooting to the lineup, but whether this is enough to push the team to the next level remains uncertain.

The development of young players like Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro is another crucial factor. Mobley showed promise with solid performances but needs to continue his growth to become a more dominant force. Okoro, currently a restricted free agent, brings defensive intensity but must develop his offensive game to contribute more consistently.

Facing teams like the Boston Celtics , who boast a deep and versatile roster, the Cavaliers need to address their shortcomings. The Celtics have a blend of star power, depth, and versatility that presents a significant challenge. Cleveland must enhance their defensive schemes and improve their offensive consistency to compete effectively.

The Cavaliers possess a mix of stability and young talent that could propel them forward, but the lack of significant changes raises questions about their ability to break through to the next level.

Ensuring the continued development of their young stars and potentially making strategic mid-season moves could be key to their success. While Cleveland has the potential to be a tougher contender, the path to realizing that potential is filled with uncertainties. Their ability to challenge the Celtics and other top-tier teams will depend on both internal growth and strategic adjustments.

Related: Cleveland Cavaliers Current Starting Lineup And Bench: In The Middle Of Nowhere

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News . We really appreciate your support.