The 2024-25 NBA Regular Season is less than two months away. For basketball fans that means shoes will be hitting the hardwood very soon. In the very loaded Eastern Conference, there are a number of players that will have the eyes of the basketball world on them. With that level of attention comes the pressure to get your team to the playoffs and win a championship. For superstar players, this level of pressure can either make or break them.
4 Eastern Conference Players Under Pressure This Season
Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers had their best offseason in the Joel Embiid era. They were able to sign Paul George to a four-year deal and created one of the best-scoring trios in the association. In addition, George coming to Philly should take the scoring load off of Embiid and give him a reliable two-way piece who can manage his defensive responsibilities. While his workload may decrease, the pressure to stay healthy and get the Sixers to their first NBA Finals since 2001 will increase. Furthermore, Embiid has never made the conference finals, and with the most talented roster of his career, even more pressure will be on him.
Embiid is currently playing with Team USA Men’s Basketball in the 2024 Olympic Games. The eyes of the world are on him, and he is learning how to play with a lot of talent around him. Learning how to sacrifice for the betterment of the team and trusting his teammates to make the right play. If he can do that and continue to improve his playmaking skills, the Sixers will be in a great position to make it to the NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum
In October, the Boston Celtics will start the new season as defending champions. A status they have not had since 2008, and the majority of the pressure will fall on Jayson Tatum. As a result, of signing his new multi-year deal over the summer Tatum is now the highest-paid player on Boston’s roster. His responsibility will increase in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from a leg injury and will miss a portion of the upcoming season.
That is a big loss for the Celtics because he is the third scorer on a loaded Celtics team. If Tatum can improve his playmaking skills, Boston will be able to survive the early season gauntlet until Porzingis returns. Boston should be in a great position for a top seed in the Eastern Conference and to defend their NBA title.
Donovan Mitchell
Last season, and throughout the offseason, it was rumored that Donovan Mitchell would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for a contender. However, Mitchell decided to re-sign with the Cavaliers and keep Cleveland’s title contention hopes alive. The pressure will be on him to help Cleveland get back to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Mitchell is one of the league’s best scorers. However, he will need to trust his teammates if Cleveland wants to have a deep playoff run. Sharing the scoring load with his teammates should keep Mitchell healthy and put Cleveland in a great position for a top-five seed in the Eastern Conference. If that does not happen, while he is under contract with the Cavaliers Mitchell will face a lot of questions. Especially around whether he can be a primary weapon for a championship contender.
Jimmy Butler
The Miami Heat were a perennial title contender a few years ago. However, since their last NBA Finals appearance in 2023, the league has changed. Additionally, Miami has not been able to land any big-time free agents. As a result, the pressure on Jimmy Butler has increased exponentially.
During the offseason Butler and the Heat went back and forth on whether he would stay or be traded. With just one year left on his deal, Butler is set to become a 2025 free agent. Butler needs to be a key piece in a postseason run for the Heat. But also prove his value to other NBA teams. To justify the multi-year contract that he will want to be paid in the 2025-26 NBA season.
If Butler can be a key cog in reviving the Miami Heat’s championship hopes, he will have multiple teams lining up for his services next year.
