Will the Lakers and Warriors be among the contenders in the 2025-26 season?
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Here are the five words that every NBA team, player and fan looks forward to hearing every summer: Training camp starts this month.
Finally, the time is near.
It was either a long offseason or a short one, depending on how a specific team finished a year ago or handled its business in the NBA Draft and free agency. A measured amount of optimism follows all 30 teams, yet soon enough, reality will settle in as the regular season strips away layers to reveal the truth about each team.
There’s much to anticipate in 2025-26: The emergence of new stars, the ability of the old guard to squeeze yet another season of brilliance, and a chance for Oklahoma City to repeat in a league that placed roadblocks on past champs with those ambitions.
And as always, expect a surprise or three from players and teams that’ll defy all conventional wisdom and projections and do better than expected. Like: How many crystal ballers around this time last year saw the Indiana Pacers not only reaching the 2025 NBA Finals, but forcing a seventh game?
Let’s assess each team coming off summer and heading into camp:
Atlanta Hawks
There’s reason for optimism for the first time since the club reached the conference finals in 2021. The pieces are in place for a playoff appearance at the very least. Trae Young, the league’s most accomplished passer of the last few years, has weapons: Jalen Johnson returns from injury, plus Kristaps Porziņģis on the screen and roll, and Zaccharie Risacher, who rapidly improved to finish off his rookie season. Atlanta’s fate will ultimately be decided by defense, and there’s much to like with reigning steals leader Dyson Daniels joined by Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
NBA TV takes a closer look Atlanta’s active offseason and where it could land in the fluid Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics
This has “bridge year” scribbled all over the roster and the immediate future outlook, as the Celtics, champs in 2024, wait patiently for Jayson Tatum to recover from Achilles surgery, which could shelve him until next fall. They prepared for such by shedding salary in an effort to reset for 2026-27, shipping Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, and should have flexibility next summer when Boston will surely reload. That’s not to suggest the Celtics will free-fall this season with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. This will be a crucial year to see how newcomer Anfernee Simons fits, now and also beyond, when Boston is ready to contend again.
Brooklyn Nets
Where Brooklyn at? Well, pretty much where it was last season: searching for an identity and a way to emerge as a team with a solid future. This transition is proving tricky, as the rebuilding Nets are still devoid of a potential All-Star unless Michael Porter Jr. blossoms now that he’s away from Denver. The Nets are still debating whether Cam Thomas fits; he’ll be on the roster for this season at least. Otherwise, the Nets will throw their five No. 1 picks — Danny Wolf, Drake Powell, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf and Egor Dёmin — against the wall and see who sticks.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are ready to play (mind the pun here) ball again, with LaMelo Ball refreshed and ready to rebound from an injury-ravaged 2024-25. Aside from whether he can stay healthy, which has been problematic lately, the Hornets are missing the talent level required to make playoff noise. Perhaps that’s a bit ambitious, but they can at least tease for the future. We’ll see how Ball meshes with Collin Sexton and Tre Mann and whether Kon Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick, will swish consistently when left open and served up by Ball. Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller should continue producing, but Ball (and his durability) will set the tone.
Chicago Bulls
Is this team still spinning its wheels? It appears so, unless a handful of youngsters suddenly go next level. Coby White did just that last season and dropped signs that a future All-Star appearance wouldn’t be out of the question. Actually, if Matas Buzelis surges in his sophomore season, that will be the surest sign that Chicago has at least another rising young talent on the roster. Tre Jones should help and maybe Isaac Okoro will, too. Josh Giddey returns, which helps, but this team seems another year away from being … another year away.
Cleveland Cavaliers
This is the first time in the post-LeBron James era that the Cavaliers are strong favorites in the East. Not only did they finish with the best record last season, return a rotation that’s virtually intact, and don’t have any impact player 30 or older, but the competition is weakened with the Celtics and Pacers dealing with potential season-long injuries to their stars. The Cavs need to hold it down while Darius Garland and Max Strus deal with foot injuries to start the season, but otherwise, all is good with Donovan Mitchell and company.
Dallas Mavericks
It’s far too premature to shout “Luka Who?” Yes, the scab from the controversial trade is still fleshy, sore and, in the minds of some fans, permanent. In a best-case scenario regarding this team’s biggest question marks — Kyrie Irving’s healthy return and No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg’s ability to impact right away — Dallas will be a factor in the West. Oh, one more concern: Anthony Davis and his chances of enjoying a limp-free season. That’s a lot of shrugs regarding the Mavericks here in their first full season without Dončić. Maybe one too many?
Seth Davis, Brendan Haywood and Damon Stoudamire discuss Copper Flagg’s versatility and team-first approach.
Denver Nuggets
This team came a win away from eliminating the eventual champion Thunder and perhaps improved in the offseason. That’s one way to assess the Nuggets as they try to salvage whatever Kia MVP-quality seasons are left in Nikola Jokić and grab another championship while they can. Applaud them for making such an attempt by subtracting Michael Porter Jr and adding Cam Johnson, who’s just as good offensively and better defensively. The Nuggets hope Tim Hardaway Jr. can compensate for the loss of Porter’s deep shooting, that Bruce Brown can return to the solid player he was during their championship run. Adding Jonas Valančiūnas keeps Denver from floundering whenever Jokić takes a breather.
NBA TV analyzes Denver’s roster after it picked up Jonas Valančiūnas in a trade with Sacramento.
Detroit Pistons
Last season’s success will surely plateau this time if only because massive back-to-back leaps are mathematically improbable. Cade Cunningham will keep the Pistons in the hunt for a top-six finish and automatic playoff spot. The core of the unit returns, or at least until Detroit decides what, if anything, to do with Malik Beasley. Just in case, Duncan Robinson was added for 3-point insurance and Caris LeVert will help off the bench.
Golden State Warriors
There’s anticipation for the first full season with Jimmy Butler III and Stephen Curry, and the organization agrees that this is the final push in Curry’s prime. Whether that results in a realistic title run (or a playoff cameo) rests with plenty of factors, among them what will be the final verdict on Jonathan Kuminga’s future. Otherwise, the margin for error here is slim, and if anything sinister happens to the health of Curry, Butler or Draymond Green, all deep into their careers, it’s over.
Houston Rockets
After a solid offseason, perhaps the best in the league, the Rockets are ready to rattle the West. Kevin Durant gives them consistent scoring and, even better, a certified No. 1 option when the game gets tight. Dorian Finney-Smith should be more consistent than Dillon Brooks, which means defense shouldn’t be an issue for Houston. Durant’s history suggests his addition will be problem-free and a comfy fit with Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun. A top-three finish in the West is doable.
Kevin Durant’s trade to the Rockets seems like the cleanest of fits, setting up Houston to build on a strong 2024-25 campaign.
Indiana Pacers
Much like the Celtics, the Pacers are mainly trying to keep everything together until their star, in this case Tyrese Haliburton, returns from a one-year injury furlough. Even more, without Myles Turner, the Pacers seemingly aren’t prepared to defend their conference title. Therefore, a respectable season would be to make the playoffs and see growth from their young core; Jay Huff, who’ll replace Turner’s skill set, is included in that group.
LA Clippers
Gotta hand it to GM Lawrence Frank, who constantly finds ways to retool this team and keep hope alive here in what’s left of the Kawhi Leonard era. The latest is taking a swing and bringing in Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez and Chris Paul. The result is a very veteran group, which raises concern about stamina and health. Should this team make the playoffs, all that experience will be a big plus.
Los Angeles Lakers
The transition from LeBron James to Dončić is ongoing (if not complete) as the Lakers attempt to rebuild around Dončić rather than a 40-year-old. They added Marcus Smart for defense and sass, Jake LaRavia for a youthful injection, and Deandre Ayton for help in the paint. If James holds up once again, the Lakers should make it interesting at the very least come springtime.
Marcus Smart is one of several new faces to join the Lakers this offseason.
Memphis Grizzlies
Did they peak a few seasons ago, before Ja Morant had his troubles? Perhaps, and it’s hard to imagine the Grizzlies getting better in the very competitive West without Desmond Bane, now in Orlando. They’re anxious to see what Ty Jerome can do with a larger role than he had in Cleveland. And yes, of course, Morant needs to stay healthy and recapture the magic of the past if this team has postseason plans.
Miami Heat
The first order of business here in the post-Jimmy Butler era is to jump-start Bam Adebayo, who regressed last season, and put him back on an All-Star pace. Everything else is secondary for a team with postseason ambitions. Tyler Herro can’t do it alone. The addition of Norman Powell (21.8 points per game with the Clippers last season) will help with the scoring chores. Miami is also hoping to see improvement by center Kel’el Ware and whether swingman Davion Mitchell can handle increased minutes at the point.
Milwaukee Bucks
They’re either getting creative or reckless in their attempt to salvage the MVP-quality stretch of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s career, depending on your view. The strategy of stretching Damian Lillard’s salary to sign Myles Turner gives Antetokounmpo some assurance, given that Lillard wasn’t playing this season anyway. Still, this team’s most persistent issue — the lack of a potential young star — is problematic now and in the near future. However, with the Pacers and Celtics dealing with injuries, the Bucks should be a top-four team.
Myles Turner sought to ‘remain competitive’ by heading to Milwaukee for the upcoming season alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The core of a team that reached the West finals returns, which is mainly good but also questionable. Meaning, the Wolves didn’t improve enough to frighten Oklahoma City, and perhaps not even Denver. Anthony Edwards is starry enough to keep them as a contender, though, especially if he takes a Kia MVP turn. Otherwise, much depends on who’s the point guard by season’s end — an aging Mike Conley, or raw Rob Dillingham?
New Orleans Pelicans
The skies seem gloomy for the Pelicans, who gambled heavily on Draft night and sent a valuable future first-rounder to Atlanta to get Derik Queen. That’s an interesting strategy for a team that qualifies as rebuilding in the very deep and rich West, even if Zion Williamson can manage a full season. They’re also banking on Jordan Poole to be consistent offensively and reliable defensively. Trey Murphy III seems ready to take the next step, though.
New York Knicks
Will a coaching change make a difference? The switch to Mike Brown needs to pay off quickly, or else. That’s because the Knicks are virtually unchanged otherwise, besides Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele coming off the bench. The Knicks are hoping for better results from Mikal Bridges if only to justify the cost of getting him before last season. All told, the Knicks seem qualified to make a legit run for the conference title, especially with the Celtics and Pacers dealing with injuries.
Oklahoma City Thunder
There weren’t many defending champions of the last decade who were prohibitive favorites to repeat, and OKC is now in that very select group. Not only did OKC flex its way through last season with a young group, but this summer the Thunder delivered long-term extensions for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. OKC is at least two seasons away from worrying about cap issues and it might add at least one more title by then.
After winning their 1st NBA title of the OKC era, the Thunder have plenty of reasons to believe they can keep this going.
Orlando Magic
This could be the season Orlando stamps itself as having arrived. All signals suggest the rebuilding era is over and it is time to enjoy the fruits. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are solid foundational pieces and Jalen Suggs returns from missing 47 games with injury. And like most rising teams, the Magic found a missing piece in Bane, who can supply badly-needed outside shooting. In the wide-open East, Orlando could grab a top-four seed.
Philadelphia 76ers
Is this team ready to implode or improve? The truth is somewhere regarding the Sixers and a roster makeup that can go north or south, mainly depending on the nightly availability of Joel Embiid. Too many things went wrong last season: Embiid’s health, Paul George’s midlife slump, the loss of rookie Jared McCain after a strong start, and little cohesion. The Sixers will run it back — not that they had much choice — and hope Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey can succeed together.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns finally caved to reality and pushed the reset button on their failed three-star experiment. Better late than never, at least. With Beal and Durant gone (and expectations walking out the door with them), the Suns can make peace and move forward, with incoming young talent, including center Mark Williams, pointing to a better future. It assumes that Devin Booker, even with his new, rich extension, will stick around to be a part of it.
Portland Trail Blazers
New ownership, new vision; maybe it was a coincidence, but the Blazers have “new” life after a robust summer on and off the court. Lillard is back, at least in spirit this season, and he’ll wait patiently while a young nucleus looks to take a next step in development. Yet, there’s still work to be done. Portland may reroute Holiday and Jerami Grant, if not by the trade deadline, then next summer.
Sacramento Kings
After a few years basking in the beam, the Kings appear ready for a reset already. Perhaps this was inevitable after trading De’Aaron Fox last season. Still, Sacramento must figure out how to surround Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan with the right mix, aside from newcomer Dennis Schröder, and make a playoff run. That’s a tough task in the unforgiving West.
San Antonio Spurs
The surge of the Spurs could arrive sooner than expected, now that San Antonio has a full season with Fox and, just as well, Victor Wembanyama. It’s a bonus that the Spurs lucked into the No. 2 pick and came away with Dylan Harper, but given a loaded backcourt, his minutes and production probably won’t make a huge difference right away. Instead, the Spurs hope for reasonable growth among their young core and help from additions Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet. If that happens, the playoffs will beckon.
Can the Spurs make it 3 consecutive Kia NBA Rookie of the Year winners? Dylan Harper has the DNA and the upside to make that happen.
Toronto Raptors
There’s a small chance the Raptors could qualify as a surprise team, given the weakened state of the East and a roster with obvious talent. Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl and Immanuel Quickley comprise a decent core. But how will those pieces mesh, and will this team play good enough defense to make noise about reaching the playoffs? Otherwise, Toronto will put more distance between the present and the 2019 championship team.
Utah Jazz
Another long season lies ahead for the Jazz, who at least acknowledged their fate and got started on the rebuild this summer, shipping out Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins. It’s all about the youngsters and their growth … as well as what the 2026 NBA Draft, which projects as rich, will bring. Utah should, and probably will, make a long-term commitment to center Walker Kessler, who escaped the summer red-tag sale and appears to be a keeper.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards suspect they’re on pace in this rebuild, turning the team over to young players and keeping the salary cap flexible enough to make a move or two next summer that could transform the franchise. The goal is for Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and others to be more consistent by the second half of the season and give Washington a better idea of what they can offer long-term. It’s all about being patient, setting the table for the future … and taking the lumps, for now.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.