The NBA playoffs is the ultimate test for the top teams that have dominated the standings, as well as for up-and-coming contenders wanting momentum for next season. But the postseason will have implications for top players and coaches that stretch into the offseason and beyond.
It will shape how teams approach their next moves during the summer and into next season. For example, the Mavericks' decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February had its roots in Dallas' run to the NBA Finals in 2024.
That's why it's worth keeping an eye on key figures over the course of the playoffs.