Periodista egresada de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). Le gusta escribir sobre política e historias humanas que puedan transformar vidas. Actualmente cursa un master...
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Washington.- Luka Doncic’s transfer to the Los Angeles Lakers shook the foundations of the NBA and marked the start of a 2025 as unpredictable as it was intense, a year in which the Oklahoma City Thunder defied the league’s anti-dynasty logic and in which Adam Silver turned his gaze towards Europe with the ambition of promoting a new competition on the old continent.
It was the early hours of February 2nd when all the alarms went off. Shams Charania, one of the most reliable sources in American basketball, reported that the Dallas Mavericks were trading their star, Luka Doncic, to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
The almost inexplicable transfer led many to think it was a joke or even that Charania’s phone had been ‘hacked’. Doncic was in bed, about to fall asleep, when he received the news.
Months later, in November, Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont succumbed to pressure and removed general manager Nico Harrison, identified as the main architect of a catastrophic operation that fans never forgave.
Following Doncic’s departure to the Lakers, the ‘Mavs’ pulled off a major surprise by winning the ‘draft’ lottery with only a 1.8% chance, sparking all sorts of speculation. Harrison chose Cooper Flagg, one of the greatest prodigies of college basketball who is generating high expectations.
The year 2025 also crowned a new NBA champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, chosen as ‘MVP’ of the regular season and the Finals.
A young franchise, built from the draft, that has managed to retain its main pieces -Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren- and lay the foundations for a long-term project, defying the strict financial rules that hinder the formation of dynasties in the league.
In the last seven years, seven different teams have been crowned champions, a fact that the NBA boasts about and that has prevented a new dominant team from emerging to succeed the Golden State Warriors.
After being proclaimed league champions, the Thunder started the new season in a smashing way, matching the best start in Warriors history, with a record of 24 wins and only one loss.
The Knicks, First Title in 52 Years
The New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau after falling in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, a move that baffled many, as he had led the franchise to its highest levels in 25 years.
Even more so when the Knicks didn’t have a clear replacement. After an intense search process, they opted for Mike Brown, then without a team after his dismissal from the Sacramento Kings at the beginning of the season.
The risky move has already paid off: this December, the Knicks were crowned in the NBA Cup after defeating the San Antonio Spurs, ending a long journey through the desert and conquering their first title in 52 years, since the 1973 ring.
Last Cup in Las Vegas?
The introduction of the NBA Cup has been a resounding success, but the league announced in September adjustments to the format for the upcoming editions. Starting in 2026, the semifinals – like the quarterfinals – will be played on the courts of the best-ranked teams.
The neutral venue will only be maintained for the final, although the NBA is considering whether to keep it in Las Vegas or move it to another venue, such as one of the NCAA university pavilions.
Landing in Europe
The image was historic: the NBA and FIBA, hand in hand, announced in New York negotiations to create a new league in Europe, notable for the great absence of the Euroleague.
Many questions remain to be answered, from the schedule to the teams that will participate in the new league, but the project is serious enough that FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis, traveled to New York to meet with the NBA governors.
“We believe that now is the time,” declared NBA commissioner Adam Silver, when announcing his intentions last March.
Lakers and Celtics, staggering sales
The sale of the Portland Trail Blazers for more than $4 billion to businessman Tom Dundon was the latest in a series of deals that shook the NBA in 2025, a year in which the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics changed hands for staggering figures amid a true gold rush.
In March, Bill Chisholm of Symphony Technology Group acquired the Celtics for a record valuation of $6.1 billion, but in June the Buss family outpaced him by selling the Lakers for a stratospheric $10 billion to Mark Walter of TWG Global.
As if all this weren’t enough, 2025 will also be marked by Kevin Durant landing with the Houston Rockets and Jimmy Butler with the Golden State Warriors. In addition, the FBI arrested player Terry Rozier (Miami Heat) and coach Chauncey Billups (Portland Trail Blazers), accused respectively of illegal gambling and participating in rigged poker games linked to organized crime.
Periodista egresada de la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). Le gusta escribir sobre política e historias humanas que puedan transformar vidas. Actualmente cursa un master en Comunicación Política y Marketing Digital.
