In this episode of RealGM Radio, NBA experts Wes Goldberg and Matt Moore break down the 2025 NBA contender tiers, diving into early-season surprises, elite teams, and breakout stars. From the Oklahoma City Thunder’s title defense to Victor Wembanyama’s meteoric leap, this deep dive explores how early trends shape the championship race. The duo also examines the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves, debating who truly belongs in the top tier. Later, they discuss under-the-radar teams like Houston, Milwaukee, and San Antonio, plus what’s gone wrong for squads like Orlando and Atlanta. Packed with sharp insights, stats, and smart banter, this is your must-listen guide to where every team stands in the NBA’s title chase. 00:00 – Intro: Breaking down the NBA contender tiers 01:25 – Early-season overreactions and meaningful trends 03:55 – OKC Thunder: defending champs or vulnerable? 06:12 – Thunder depth and star power discussion 08:25 – Tier Two: Denver Nuggets & Cleveland Cavaliers 11:40 – Denver’s defensive issues and Jokic’s dominance 14:15 – Can Cleveland’s defense carry them to the Finals? 14:41 – Tier Three: Warriors and Timberwolves analysis 16:45 – Golden State’s “Jimmy Butler era” & aging core 24:37 – Minnesota’s defense and trade deadline potential 28:52 – Tier Four: Spurs, Rockets, Bucks & Knicks 32:12 – Victor Wembanyama’s rise into NBA’s elite 39:53 – Houston’s struggles and the Fred VanVleet effect 45:09 – Giannis and the Bucks’ identity; Knicks’ hero-ball 49:21 – Mid-tier teams: Lakers, Clippers, Heat, Magic, etc. 59:51 – Miami’s fast-paced offense & elite conditioning 1:03:23 – Disappointments: Celtics, Hawks, Pelicans 1:06:39 – The Cooper Flagg problem in Dallas 1:13:00 – Lamelo Ball’s frustrations and Charlotte’s direction 1:15:51 – Utah & Washington’s surprising progress 1:17:31 – Trade deadline talk and rebuilding futures 1:19:15 – Outro: final thoughts on NBA tiers RealGM Radio is powered in part by North Station Media (CLNS). For advertising or media inquiries, contact info@clnsmedia.com 🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more NBA insights and analysis! Follow RealGM Twitter: https://x.com/RealGM Follow Wes Goldberg Twitter: https://x.com/wcgoldberg PrizePicks: PrizePicks is the best place to get real money sports action. With over 10 million members and billions of dollars in awarded winnings, PrizePicks has made daily fantasy sports accessible to all. You just pick MORE or LESS on at least two players for a shot to win up to 1000x your cash! Run Your Game all season long on PrizePicks. Download the app today and use code CLNS to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! Gametime: Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CLNS for $20 off your first purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices