When does 2024-25 NBA training camp start? Key dates, teams & more

With the Paris Olympics officially over, the NBA offseason is at its peak, with the new season scheduled for tip-off on Oct. 22. Players and personnel are set to report roughly a month before for training camp. Let's look at the key dates for the upcoming preparation for the 2024-25 NBA season.

According to the schedule released by the league on Aug. 15, the last two NBA champions, the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets, are the first two teams who will report for training camp on Sept. 25. However, they are expected to be available the day prior for their media day.

The Celtics and Nuggets are not being given a disadvantage by the league. They are set to fly to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for two preseason games on Oct. 4 and 6. They will be joined by Shaquille O'Neal and other NBA legends, as well as special celebrity guests and musical acts.

The rest of the league, specifically the 28 other teams, are set to have their media day on Sept. 30. The first day of training camp for them will be the next day, Oct. 1 with the first batch of preseason games also scheduled for Oct. 4.

The preseason will end on Oct. 18 and the 2024-25 NBA is set to officially start on Oct. 22 with two games on Opening Night. The Boston Celtics will receive their championship rings and raise banner No. 18 before their game against the New York Knicks.

On the other hand, the LA Lakers are going to welcome the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.

In addition to training camp and preseason games, the league will also celebrate the newest inductees to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Oct. 12 and 13. Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Michael Cooper and Walter Davis will headline the players, while the late Jerry West will be enshrined as a contributor.

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The Boston Celtics are primed to defend their NBA championship

After 14 years, the Boston Celtics are back on the mountaintop after beating the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals in five games. The Celtics also got the record for most championships by a franchise in history.

Despite the shocking news of the team being up for sale, the Celtics have retained their core players this offseason. They brought back Luke Korney, Xavier Tillman, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, Drew Peterson and JD Davison. They also added rookie Baylor Scheierman and forward Anton Watson to a two-way deal.

The Celtics front office also rewarded Derrick White and Jayson Tatum with massive contract extensions. Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis were also locked into new deals last year, so they are primed to defend their title this season.