A look at NBA contenders heading into 2024

Enes Freedom told Fox News Digital he was "just in shock this even is a debate."

The NBA season is a quarter of the way in the books and things are starting to take shape. 

The Eastern Conference looks to have three teams that can contend for the right to play in the NBA Finals, while the Western Conference has some new blood at the top. 

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, and the 76ers' Joel Embiid talk during their game, Nov. 27, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors are all out of the top 6, while the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder are two of the top three teams in the West. 

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Let’s dive into the 12 teams that would currently be locked in for an NBA playoff spot if it started today and what to look for as the calendar turns to 2024. 

Boston Celtics: Keep Kristaps Porzingis healthy

The Celtics have been in the Eastern Conference Finals five of the last seven years and made it to the NBA Finals in 2022. And yet, the success has yet to lead to a championship. 

Boston has not won a title since 2008 but made moves in the offseason in hopes of taking the final step. 

Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis on Dec. 28, 2023 in Boston. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Kristaps Porzingis will need to stay healthy – something the big man has been unable to do throughout his career – in order for the Celtics to remain at the top of the Eastern Conference and get over the hump in June. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Improve the defense 

Milwaukee needed to make a move after losing as a one-seed in the first round