2024 NBA Predictions: Steph, Bron, or KD: Who’s Winning One Last Ring?
It’s no secret that the landscape of pro basketball has undergone a major generational shift over the past few years. It feels like yesterday when NBA betting odds and fans were going crazy over the 2015-16 NBA finals epic between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
Don’t act cool here. We know that as soon as I mentioned that matchup, memories of Lebron James chasing down Andre Iguodala with 1:56 to play in the fourth quarter of the series’ seventh game came rushing back. There’s a reason that play has its own name: “The Block.”
Chills man, literal chills just remembering.
Nowadays, players like LeBron, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, a pivotal piece of that post-15/16 Warriors team that went on to win back-to-back titles in the following years, look like they’re flirting with retirement more than anything else.
Yes, they’re still playing incredibly; don’t get it twisted.
Hell, those cats are the reason NBA betting predictions continue giving teams like the Lakers and Warriors the benefit of the doubt.
Still, we see new faces hitting the courts daily, teams getting stronger with surprising trades, and other squads continuing to get wrecked over time (holla at your boy Detroit and Washington). Contenders have become pretenders, and pretenders have gone on to be contenders. So, where does that leave Bron, Steph, and KD?
We can’t hide that the incredible careers of these three legends are ending. These guys don’t need to prove anything anymore. They are first-ballot Hall of Famers. But, until they hang up their sneakers, there will always be a hunger to achieve everything.
Understanding they’ll fight ‘til the end to win that ring and finish their careers in the best way possible, here’s our take and consequential NBA pick on who will win one last ring before retiring.
3 NBA Stars Who Can Win One Last Ring Before Calling It a Career
3. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
With Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, one of our favorite trades this offseason, the Warriors have been facing some restructuring in their game. Curry is still the leader for GS and one of the best shooters in the league. But without his “splash brother” Klay and another high-level shooter to complement him, the team’s offense is bound to become even more Curry-dependent.
Given Andrew Wiggins has been picking up the slack, and Jonathan Kuminga has stepped up big time after continuous doubts about whether he would take to becoming a leading man in Steve Kerr’s lineup or not.
But Curry is still the Warriors’ primary go-to weapon, a key component of their current 8-2 record.
STEPH MF CURRY.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 11, 2024
They still have defensive stars like Draymond Green, but until a true second star on offense emerges, this could limit the team’s long-term potential this season and NBA title odds contention plans, especially with the level of competition in the Western Conference.
2. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
As said in a previous piece about LeBron’s 22nd year in the league and the Lakers: “Long Live the King, Until Further Notice at Least.
LeBron is maintaining his game at the highest level, already posting three triple-doubles in the season. Now, with the added incentive of his son Bronny being drafted by the Lakers, even though he’ll be spending most of his time in the G-league, there’s yet another reason for LeBron to strive for one more ring.
BACK-TO-BACK TRIPLE-DOUBLES FOR LEBRON 👑
FRIDAY VS. PHILLY: 21 PTS | 12 REB | 13 AST
TONIGHT VS. TORONTO: 19 PTS | 10 REB | 16 AST pic.twitter.com/xguz26uICX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 11, 2024
The Lakers have been adding young talents and specialized players to their roster to build around Bron and Anthony Davis. This balance of experience and youth could give them a good chance to compete, especially if AD can still be healthy and the team develops good chemistry.
The Lakers look like a strong contender in the conference, but key factors, including physical wear and LeBron and AD’s need to keep their best shape, could cost LA big time down the line.
Still, until proven wrong, our NBA predictions today magic eight ball says, trust the King.
1. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
Give us a better all-around scorer than Durant in recent times. We dare you.
Entering this season, there’s a reason why KD takes the #1 spot on our list. Durant has the best surrounding cast to help him get a title with the Suns. Don’t let the +1600 odds to win the 2024-25 NBA Title fool you; with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, KD might just be up to something in Phoenix.
This trio has shown its capacity to score from any angle, thus allowing Durant to play without any pressure to carry the offense like on other teams he’s been on. (Sup Brooklyn, you good?)
Kevin Durant so far this season:
27.6 PPG
6.6 RPG
3.4 APG
1.4 BPG
55.3 FG%
42.9 3P%
83.6 FT%
8-1 RecordThis calf strain is just a small setback; he’ll come back at exactly the same level because that’s what he does🐐 pic.twitter.com/fT11UzuZKD
— Soul (@SoulT_35) November 11, 2024
If Phoenix can avoid injuries and continue empowering its multi-style playing structure, the Suns should be good to make a deep postseason run.
The balance that the Beal/Booker/Durant trio brings to the Suns makes the team, at least at this point of the season, one of the more promising NBA future betting lines for a title run this 2024-25 season.
NBA Futures: A Legacy-Defining Moment Awaits
With how the season is going thus far, Durant has the advantage of winning one last ring before considering retiring.
Thanks to Booker, Beal, and Durant, the Suns have a well-structured team and multiple offensive options to lean on. As previously said, this combo gives them the power of scoring and versatility to adapt their game to different rivals, which is a great vantage point when hitting the court in the West and wanting to live to ball another day.
On the flip side, James and Curry will always be strong contenders, but with a rockier path. The Lakers have good chemistry and a balance between experience and youth that could pay off greatly, but the team depends on LeBron and AD to stay healthy at all costs.
Lastly, as far as Curry goes, Thompson’s absence could end up being his ultimate downfall when it matters most. But this is Steph we’re talking about. At 36, he’s hitting shots some of the league’s most recent stars couldn’t even fathom.
It wouldn’t be a shock if his current +3300 odds to win 2024-25 regular-season MVP take a substantial spike as the season progresses.
In a nutshell, while these three stars have a chance, let’s call a spade a spade. KD is better positioned to add a last ring to his legacy.
