Finals matchup, sleeper team and bankruptcy

The Post’s Stefan Bondy, Brian Lewis and Mike Vaccaro answer the most pressing questions as the NBA offers clues:

1. What is the key storyline for the 2024-25 season?

STEFAN BONDY: LeBron James. Until he retires, it’s always LeBron James. The new addition this season is his son Bronny, who either doesn’t seem ready for the NBA or looks like he never will be. But there’s no doubt they’ll be the first father-son duo ever to play an NBA game together.

BRIAN LEWIS: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry put on a show at the Paris Olympics and are the three greatest players of their era. But is their era coming to an end?

MIKE VACCARO: Right now, it’s hard to imagine that the Thunder aren’t the best team in the league. They were already great and getting better; This should be a team with 60+ wins and ready for the playoffs.

2. This team will be better than expected

BONDY: The pistons. They were a dumpster fire under Monty Williams, who trained like he wanted to get fired and pick up that lucrative contract on his couch. But they are talented enough to have Cade Cunningham at center if – and this is a big problem with Cunningham – he stays healthy.

LEWIS: Oklahoma City, if we judge by the playoffs. After pulling off a second-round upset last season, the Thunder will advance this time, perhaps even to the finals.

VACCARO: It feels like the world has jumped on the Nuggets after last year’s flameout. But they still have Jokic. And maybe, just maybe, Russell Westbrook will write a fitting final chapter here.

3. This team will be worse than expected

BONDY: The Sixers. Paul George is already injured. Joel Embiid has already decided to sit out a number of games. Tyrese Maxey can only stand up to them so far.

LEWIS: The Clippers. After winning 51 games last year, they are projected to have a 40.5 record. But they lost Paul George to the Sixers and Kawhi Leonard is already out indefinitely with a knee problem.

VACCARO: If the Sixers could ever keep their Big Three intact for eight months, they would be something to watch. It’s hard to imagine the big three remaining intact for eight months. Or eight weeks.

4. This player will appear this season

BONDY: Brandon Miller. The Hornets stink, but Miller is a future star. He just needs to find a way to get the ball away from LaMelo Ball.

LEWIS: Jalen Williams of Oklahoma City. Ja Morant is more of a comeback prospect and Victor Wembanyama is expected to be great, but the Thunder’s shooting guard will have a real breakthrough.

VACCARO: Darius Garland. It seems he is in a more stable position than ever, he is healthy again and he will thrive under the guiding hand of Kenny Atkinson.

5. This player will regress this season

BONDY: LeBron James. It’s not wise to bet against the second-best player of all time (MJ is No. 1), but Father Time is, as they say, undefeated. LeBron turns 40 in December and his supporting cast, aside from the injury-prone Anthony Davis, isn’t very good.

LEWIS: Kawhi Leonard. He’s out indefinitely with inflammation in his right knee, and since the Clippers have no legitimate championship aspirations, how many games will the oft-injured winger miss?

VACCARO: It started last year. But by the All-Star break, the Bucks may truly regret upending their team’s formula by moving on Damian Lillard.

6. If I were that coach, I would be worried about my status

BONDY: Quin Snyder. He’s entering his third season with the Hawks and the team has done nothing but disappoint. If they don’t make the playoffs this season, Snyder is in trouble.

LEWIS: Billy Donovan. Honestly, I thought he might be gone last year. But even the fact that the Bulls have finally begun a delayed rebuild won’t save the Long Island native this season.

VACCARO: The Clippers are threatened with a dumpster fire. And when that happens and the choice is between Tyronn Lue or James Harden, the coach always “wins.”

7. The biggest name moved at the trade deadline will be

BONDY: James Harden. You can always count on him to ask you out. The Clippers are already in chaos due to Kawhi Leonard’s knee injury, and Harden will be guaranteed a life without a ring until he leaves. The other big name could be Jimmy Butler.

LEWIS: Zach LaVine. Brandon Ingram seems like a reasonable name, but once LaVine plays another half-season with this five-year, $215 million albatross, he could be dealt at the deadline.

VACCARO: Julius Randle. He could be a perfect fit for Minnesota. Or it could go the other way. And if it goes the other way….

8. Don’t be surprised if this becomes a bit of a story this year

BONDY: Mike Malone is frustrated with the Nuggets. Rumor has it that the championship coach is clashing with GM Calvin Booth and the owners may have a big decision to make.

LEWIS: The flip side of the LeBron-KD-Steph story. Can the young trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic or Anthony Edwards break through and win an MVP… or a title?

VACCARO: We haven’t heard the last of dissatisfied ex-Knicks, and if the Knicks get off to a slow start – which is entirely possible – there will be plenty of supply coming from all corners of the league, starting here.

9. MVP Prediction

BONDY: Luka Doncic. It always feels like MVP is a cumulative award, and Doncic has been knocking on the door for a few seasons now. At 25 years old and with an appearance in the NBA Finals, it’s time for Doncic to get his MVP.

LEWIS: Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Doncic is a good choice after leading the Mavericks to the Finals last year, but it’s the Thunder superstar who will clinch the MVP title.

VACCARO: Luka Doncic. He already spends large parts of the season in this rarefied air. Expect him to take the final step he can after stumbling in the NBA Finals last year.

10. NBA Finals Prediction

BONDY: Celtics over Timberwolves. It’s hard to repeat, but Boston is designed for it with a core in the mid-20s. The T-Wolves take the next step toward the Finals with Anthony Edwards moving into the NBA’s top four.

LEWIS: Celtics over Thunder. Boston makes it to the NBA Finals again and repeats, this time teaching young Oklahoma City a lesson.

VACCARO: Thunder over Celtics. And if they do it, the Thunder will have constructed the greatest schedule in NBA history: 22 wins to 24 to 40 to 57 to a title. And they still have assets!