The NBA offseason has been a whirlwind of trades, free agency moves, and coaching changes, significantly reshaping the landscape for the upcoming 2025-26 season. With some major stars changing teams and others looking to solidify their contention, here’s an updated look at the league’s power rankings.
Western Conference Contenders: New Kings and Familiar Faces
The West continues to be a brutal battleground, with some surprising teams making significant leaps.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: The reigning champions are in a prime position to defend their title. With a young, ascending core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a deep roster, they’re built for sustained success. Their recent championship experience will only make them stronger.
2. Houston Rockets: In a stunning blockbuster move, the Rockets acquired Kevin Durant in a historic seven-team trade. This bold overhaul, which also brought in Clint Capela, instantly propels them into title contention. While Durant’s age and durability are concerns, his presence alongside their talented young core of Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason makes them a formidable threat.
3. Denver Nuggets: Led by the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets remain a perennial contender. While they pushed the Thunder to seven games in the playoffs, they’ll be looking to re-establish their dominance and will undoubtedly be a top challenger in the West.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves made shrewd moves to bolster their depth, potentially turning Karl-Anthony Towns into Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. With Anthony Edwards continuing to ascend, they have a strong foundation and the potential to make a deep playoff run.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers continue to be a team to watch, especially with LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the charge. While their offseason has seen some intriguing trade rumors (like for Donovan Mitchell) and a focus on defensive improvements, their success will hinge on finding the right pieces around their superstars and staying healthy.
Eastern Conference Shake-Up: Wide Open Race
The Eastern Conference appears more open than in recent years, with several teams making compelling cases for the top spot.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Despite a disappointing playoff exit due to injuries, the Cavaliers largely retained their core and remain a top contender in the East. The acquisition of Lonzo Ball provides much-needed playmaking and defensive prowess, and further development from Evan Mobley under new coach Kenny Atkinson could see them exceed expectations.
2. New York Knicks: The Knicks made significant additions in Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, improving their regular season depth. Their core that reached the Eastern Conference finals is still intact, and a potential coaching change could bring a fresh offensive approach. They are firmly in the mix for a top seed.
3. Orlando Magic: The Magic aggressively addressed their needs for ball-handling and shooting by acquiring Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones. With a healthy Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and continued growth from their young core, the Magic are poised to make a significant leap in the East.
4. Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers had a strong offseason, bringing in Paul George, Andre Drummond, and Caleb Martin to complement Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Maxey’s continued emergence as a star, coupled with Embiid’s MVP-level play, makes them a serious contender if they can stay healthy.
5. Boston Celtics: The defending champions kept their core together, but injuries to key players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum’s Achilles surgery will be major factors. While they still boast immense talent, their path to repeating will depend heavily on the health and recovery of their stars.
Teams to Watch and Dark Horses
Several other teams made moves that could position them for a strong season or surprise runs:
- Sacramento Kings: With Brandon Ingram potentially joining De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings could be a dark horse in the West, aiming to build on their recent playoff appearances.
- Memphis Grizzlies: Despite trading Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies locked up Jaren Jackson Jr. and will be looking for Ja Morant to lead a bounce-back season.
- Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks overhauled their roster, trading Dejounte Murray and acquiring the No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher. With Trae Young still at the helm, their success will depend on Risacher’s development and the contributions of new additions.
- Miami Heat: The Heat had a relatively quiet offseason, but with Jimmy Butler’s future uncertain and health concerns for key players, they face challenges in a competitive East. However, Bam Adebayo’s consistent All-NBA level play will keep them in the playoff hunt.
The 2025-26 NBA season promises to be an exciting one, with a more balanced landscape and several teams poised to make a significant impact after a busy offseason.
