The burning NBA questions at All-Star break and into offseason

With the NBA at its break, The Post’s hoops writers examine the key questions from the first half and forecast the rest of the season (and offseason). Here’s a look:

1. The MVP right now should go to …

Stefan Bondy: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder. There’s a strong argument for Nikola Jokic, who is carrying a worse team on his back while averaging a triple-double. But SGA leads the league in scoring with outrageous efficiency, missed just one game and is the best player on the best team.

Brian Lewis: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokic is a close second, but the rise of SGA is complete, and he’s carrying West-leading OKC with him.

Mike Vaccaro: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s a testament to how great SGA has been that he is the only reason Jokic won’t cruise to another MVP.

2. The team to watch out for in the second half is …

Bondy: The Lakers. Hate to be Captain Obvious, but adding Luka Doncic makes a difference. Also watch out for a post-break surge from the Timberwolves and Suns.

Lewis: The Celtics. Boston trails Cleveland by 5 ½ games in the East but has the third-softest remaining schedule and is primed for a run.

Vaccaro: the Celtics. They’ve had some hiccups in the first half, but once they start to sniff the playoffs, they’ll reach another level.

3. The team that will drop off in the second half is …

Bondy the Mavericks. Hate to be Captain Obvious, but losing Luka Doncic makes a difference. Anthony Davis is already out multiple weeks with an injury, and I never believe in a team with Kyrie Irving as the No. 1.

Lewis: the 76ers. They’re all about the Process, and with the first-round pick they dealt to OKC top-six protected, they could shut down Joel Embiid and embrace the tank. Again.

Vaccaro: the Cavaliers, only because it’s hard to imagine them playing at an .811 pace across all 82.

4. The Knicks’ chances of making a deep playoff run come down to …

Bondy: health, specifically OG Anunoby’s and Karl-Anthony Towns’, while figuring out a way to stop Boston’s pick-and-roll. The Celtics could be the second-round matchup, and the Knicks have looked like they don’t belong on the same court in head-to-heads.

Lewis: luck in the bracket. They’ve lost all five meetings with Boston, Cleveland and (West foe) OKC by a combined 91 points.

Vaccaro: defense. They are almost certain to find the Celtics waiting for them in the second round. They need to be guarding by then.

5. The rest of the Nets’ season is about …

Bondy: Losing as many games as possible. They have a good coach so it won’t be as easy as it sounds.

Lewis: Plotting a course of action. They have to decide who is a keeper and who isn’t, and whether to use their cap space in the summer or punt it to 2026.

Vaccaro: Keeping their eyes on the prize. Is squeezing into the play-in worth getting bounced out of the lottery?

6. A player who isn’t an All-Star this season but who will be next season is …

Bondy: Zion Williamson. He’s been an All-Star prior so this is cheating, but I’m impressed by his slimmed-down physique, and next season — following a trade — will be when it finally comes together.

Lewis: Amen Thompson. Picking Luka Doncic feels like cheating, so we’ll go with Thompson, who is just 22 and still trending up.

Vaccaro: Tyrese Maxey. And for a number of years after that, too.

7. The LeBron-Luka Lakers will …

Bondy: Lose to the Nuggets or the Thunder in the playoffs. They’re very good but LeBron is 40 years old. I repeat, 40 years old.

Lewis: Be fascinating. No, they won’t be the best team, but watching LeBron and Luka adjust to each other will be must-see.

Vaccaro: Win two rounds of playoffs and lose the conference finals in what should be an epic seven games.

8. The result of the NBA Finals will be …

Bondy: Celtics over the Thunder. OKC is very close, but Boston still owns the most talented roster.

Lewis: Yet more green. Watch the Celtics overcome Cleveland to come out of the East, then beat SGA and the Thunder in the Finals.

Vaccaro: Thunder over the Celtics in 7. OKC is one of the few teams that match up favorably with the defending champs. Barely.

9. The next NBA star to be traded will be …

Bondy: Zion Williamson. The Pelicans have been going nowhere for a long time and kicked off an earnest rebuild by dumping Brandon Ingram. Also, watch out for Kevin Durant.

Lewis: Kevin Durant. Let’s be honest, who really thinks KD and the Suns can work long term now that he knows they tried to trade him?

Vaccaro: Giannis Antetokounmpo, after another fruitless postseason. Giannis delivered Milwaukee its title. Now it’s time for him to chase another.

10. The NBA’s biggest offseason storyline will be …

Bondy: The draft lottery. Last year was a dud of a draft — Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr aren’t difference makers — but Cooper Flagg is a future star. Plus, free agency will be a snoozefest.

Lewis: All the stars who could get moved. Durant? Giannis? Trae? Dame Lillard? All? None? In this new era — get your bag, then force your move — this is how it works.

Vaccaro: Who wins the lottery. Cooper Flagg is that good, and that intriguing a prospect.