The 2024 NBA season has officially reached its climax with the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks squaring off in the NBA Finals. While these two teams battle it out for the title, the other 28 teams are left reflecting on their performances and what went wrong. In this article, we’ll delve into the biggest regrets for each team in the Eastern Conference during this past season. From draft mishaps to coaching decisions, each franchise has had its share of missteps that they’ll hope to rectify in the future.

Atlanta Hawks: Drafting Kobe Bufkin 15th Overall

The Hawks selected Kobe Bufkin with the 15th pick in the first round, but the decision didn’t quite pay off as expected. Just a few picks later, other players who had stellar rookie seasons, such as Keyonte George and Cam Whitmore, were selected. The Hawks might regret not considering other options that could have provided immediate impact, especially since Bufkin’s performance has not lived up to his draft position.

Boston Celtics: Making Jaylen Brown the Highest-Paid Player

As one of the top teams this season, it’s hard to find a glaring regret for the Celtics. However, awarding Jaylen Brown the biggest contract in NBA history has raised some eyebrows. While Brown is undoubtedly talented, some question whether he’s worth the league’s largest salary, given he’s not widely considered a top-ten player. This decision could impact the team’s financial flexibility in future seasons.

Brooklyn Nets: Overvaluing Mikal Bridges

The Nets have placed significant faith in Mikal Bridges as their cornerstone. Despite offers of three or more first-round picks, Brooklyn refused to trade him, hoping he would develop into a star. While Bridges had an explosive start, he eventually cooled off, and it became apparent that he might not be the first option on a championship team. In hindsight, the Nets might have maximized their returns by trading him when his stock was at its highest.

Charlotte Hornets: Bringing Back Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges’ return brought more controversy than success for the Hornets. The off-court issues surrounding him became a significant distraction, and his presence didn’t translate to wins. Now that he’s set to become a free agent, the decision to bring him back might have caused more harm than good, without any meaningful benefit for the team.

Chicago Bulls: Not Blowing Up the Core

The Bulls opted to stick with their core despite a lackluster season. Instead of making a bold move and rebuilding, they clung to a roster that has consistently fallen short of expectations. As other teams around them improved, Chicago’s unwillingness to make drastic changes might haunt them as they aim to become more competitive.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Ignoring Donovan Mitchell’s Contract Situation

Donovan Mitchell is a key player for the Cavaliers, but with just one year left on his contract and hesitance to sign an extension, his future with the team remains uncertain. By not addressing this situation sooner, Cleveland risks losing him without a proper contingency plan. This uncertainty looms large as they look to build on their success this season.

Detroit Pistons: Hiring Monty Williams

The Pistons’ choice to bring in Monty Williams as head coach has been a divisive one. Williams’ lineup decisions, particularly his insistence on starting Killian Hayes over Jaden Ivey, frustrated fans throughout the season. With the Pistons struggling to find consistency, this hiring decision could be re-evaluated moving forward.

Indiana Pacers: Limiting T.J. McConnell’s Minutes

T.J. McConnell had an exceptional season, providing a spark off the bench and bringing defensive tenacity. However, he was rarely given extended minutes, even in the playoffs, where his contributions could have made a difference. The Pacers made it to the Conference Finals, but there were games where McConnell’s presence on the court could have shifted momentum in their favor.

Miami Heat: Failing to Land Damian Lillard

The Heat showed interest in Damian Lillard but didn’t make a serious effort to bring him on board. Lillard made it clear he wanted to play in Miami, yet the team failed to put together a compelling trade package. With Lillard eventually joining the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami missed out on a potential game-changer, settling instead for another season ending in an early playoff exit.

Milwaukee Bucks: Hiring Doc Rivers

Milwaukee’s decision to replace Adrian Griffin with Doc Rivers midseason did not yield the desired results. While Griffin had the Bucks off to a 30-13 start, they still opted for a coaching change. Under Rivers, however, the team’s performance dropped, and they ended the season with a losing record. Rivers’ reputation for falling short in the playoffs is well-known, making this an eyebrow-raising decision.

New York Knicks: Overworking Players in the Playoffs

The Knicks’ strategy of relying heavily on their starters backfired as multiple players, including Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, suffered injuries due to high minutes. Their physical style of play has its benefits, but it also took a toll, ultimately preventing them from making it to their first Conference Finals since 2000. The Knicks may need to adopt a more balanced rotation moving forward to prevent burnout.

Orlando Magic: Misusing Lottery Picks

Orlando had two lottery picks but didn’t maximize their potential by selecting Anthony Black and Jet Howard. While both players have promise, they didn’t make a significant impact this season. With a young and developing team, these picks could have been used on players who could contribute more immediately.

Philadelphia 76ers: Playing Joel Embiid Through Injury

Joel Embiid was in peak form early in the season, making a strong case for MVP. However, when he tweaked his knee in January, the Sixers chose to keep him on the court rather than give him time to heal. The injury worsened, leading to him missing two months. As a result, the team fell from the third seed to the play-in tournament, leaving many to question the wisdom of not prioritizing Embiid’s health.

Toronto Raptors: Holding Onto Gary Trent Jr. for Too Long

While the Raptors began their rebuild by trading Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, they held onto Gary Trent Jr., who will likely leave in free agency. The Raptors could have moved him at the trade deadline to acquire future assets, but by waiting, they may now lose him without any return.

Washington Wizards: Trading for Jordan Poole

The Wizards took a chance on Jordan Poole, hoping he would blossom as a scorer. Instead, Poole struggled throughout the season, displaying inefficient scoring and poor decision-making. The Wizards’ gamble on Poole didn’t pay off, and they’re now left with a player who hasn’t lived up to the expectations that came with his contract.