The new season starts on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday (CEST). NBA go. What are the Germans doing? Who are the favorites? Sports show NBA expert Lovis Binder from the Instagram channel @diemitdendunks provides answers to the most important questions about the start of the season.
How many German players are actually playing in the NBA this season?
There will be eight Germans playing in the NBA, more than ever before. Three of them in Orlando alone, in addition to Franz and Moritz Wagner, there was also rookie Tristan da Silva. Dennis Schröder at the Brooklyn NetsIsaiah Hartenstein Oklahoma City ThunderDaniel Theis at the New Orleans Pelicans and Maxi Kleber at the Dallas Mavericks. And then there’s rookie Ariel Hukporti from them New York Knicks, However, the contract also applies to the training team.
Franz and Moritz Wagner will also play together for the Orlando Magic this season.
Which of these do you need to have on your list? Franz Wagner?
Franz Wagner will definitely be the German player with the greatest responsibility. But the most exciting thing for me is Isaiah Hartenstein. He has presented himself as Center extremely well developed and now plays in the Teamwhich was the best in the West last season. He has a chance to play an important role at Oklahoma. Unfortunately he broke his hand during preparation and will be out for the first few weeks.
He’s relatively unknown in Germany because he didn’t play in the World Cup or the Olympics. How is it that he became the highest-paid German in the NBA almost overnight, at least this season?
Hartenstein is one Centerwho pass, score and, above all, really good ones Defense can play. This profile is in demand in the NBA. The fact that he received such a high offer from one of the best teams in the league is also due to good timing. Oklahoma had the financial flexibility this summer to pay him $30 million next season. And Franz Wagner’s mega contract, which will bring him a total of at least 224 million over five years, only begins in the 2025/2026 season.
Is Hartenstein playing for the title? And what about the others?
In any case. OKC is one of the favorites. The Mavericks with glue you definitely have a good chance again. The New York Knicks also belong to the extended circle.
What about champion Boston Celtics? No NBA team has been able to defend the title in six years…
For me, Boston is the top favorite for the title. The team was held together and now has Championship-Experience.
And the Lakers? Are they shooting themselves in the foot with their PR stunt, dad LeBron and son Bronny?
I find it totally understandable that Lakers LeBron’s son was drafted. It wasn’t a big risk because they got Bronny with the 55th pick. They have done their superstar a favor and are getting even more attention. But the Lakers are not a title candidate, more of a contender Playoff-Places.
What were the other most exciting new additions in the summer?
Paul George is from the LA Clippers to the Philadelphia 76ers gone. The big question for him: Can he stay relatively injury-free? If so, that makes the 76ers a title contender. Chris Paul is one of them San Antonio Spurs changed and plays together with Victor Wembanyama. This will be super exciting, Paul as a very experienced player will be good for Wemby. Klay Thompson, veteran of the Golden State Warriorscouldn’t agree on a new contract with his club and left the Warriors for Dallas after 13 years.
Speaking of Dallas, will Luka Doncic finally win the MVP title?
I’d say he’s one of the three favorites, along with Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
And quiet for the rookies this time? Knowing the No. 1 pick in the draft, Zaccharie Risacher, falls into the bragging rights category, right?
The 2024 draft was rated by experts as one of the weakest in recent years. But sometimes the first few months prove you wrong, just wait and see.
Zaccharie Risacher will be drafted first overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2024.
Are there any changes to the season format, schedule, playoffs?
Everything the same. 30 teams, 82 games in the Regular Seasonin November/December there will be another in-season tournament, a kind of NBA Cup. The Allstar-Game East against West is on February 16th Playoffs start in April.
Where can you watch the new NBA season?
We report on the NBA every day at “The Ones with the Dunks” on Instagram, and there are a lot of highlights from the German players. If you want to watch games in full length, you need a subscription to “DAZN” or one NBA-League-Pass. Selected games are also available for free on “Ran”.
