7 teams that pose the biggest threat to a Boston Celtics repeat in 2024-25
By Seth Quinn
After winning the championship back in June, fans were worried the Boston Celtics would lose some players.
However, Brad Stevens has been on a mission, bringing back every single player from their championship roster so far except for Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett, and adding draft picks Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson.
That means the Cs are in prime position to repeat as champions next season as long as they can stay relatively healthy (Kristaps Porzingis is injured currently but should be back later in the season).
Other teams have also had great off-seasons, or are returning most of their key players, making them title threats.
In both the Eastern and Western Conference, here are seven teams capable of taking down the Celtics in a playoff series.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The top seed in the West last season, the Thunder have also had a great offseason, adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein and resigning other key role players.
They also have plenty of assets with all the draft picks Sam Presti has stockpiled over the years, and plenty of young players and depth to make a big swing if they feel like it.
The Thunder roster is inexperienced, but after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the one-five matchup last year, they should be hungry to make it farther than they did last season, and have a fighting chance to win against the Boston Celtics in a Finals series based on their extensive talent.
How OKC finishes out the season will likely be based on how well the rest of the team plays around superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, mainly Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.