NBA Cup Draw 2025

The draw for the 2025 NBA Cup was announced last week, and the groups are as follows: 

West A 

Minnesota (49-33)

Oklahoma City (68-14)

Phoenix (36-46)

Sacramento (40-42)

Utah (17-65)

Minnesota and Oklahoma City are the cream of the crop in the West’s A Group. The Timberwolves re-signed both Julius Randle and Naz Reid to extensions this offseason, though they did lose Nickeil Alexander-Walker via a sign and trade with the Hawks. The Thunder reached extensions with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, locking up their core long term. The Suns are in kind of a soft rebuild now with Jalen Green and Devin Booker and having obtained Dillon Brooks also from the Houston Rockets in the trade for Kevin Durant. Sacramento has question marks and the Jazz are obviously building for the future with cornerstone Ace Bailey just drafted in June.

West B

Dallas (39-43)

Los Angeles Clippers (50-32)

Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)

Memphis Grizzlies (48-34)

New Orleans Pelicans (21-61)

This group has some exciting matchups, particularly with the Mavericks, Lakers, and Clippers, and the Pelicans if healthy. The Grizzlies are also an intriguing team for 2025-26. They traded their starting shooting guard Desmond Bane away to the Magic but did receive a veteran 3 and D player back in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who will provide leadership for the likes of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. The Pelicans added Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney in the offseason and health permitting could be a force.

West C 

Denver (50-32)

Golden State (48-34)

Houston (52-30)

Portland (36-46)

San Antonio (34-48)

This could very well be the most competitive group of all, with the Nuggets, Warriors, and Rockets providing some competitive matchups. The acquisition of Kevin Durant by the Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks further catapults the Rockets into the upper tier of teams in the league. The best rebounding team in the NBA gets arguably the game’s best scorer. The Nuggets traded for Cam Johnson, sending Michael Porter Jr. to the Nets. The deal gives the Nuggets better defense and versatility on the wing. The Warriors lost their big man mainstay Looney to the Pelicans in free agency, but there are rumors that they may bring in Al Horford, who will give them an additional veteran and a floor stretcher who plays good defense. Things are looking beyond upward for the Spurs, with Dylan Harper now added to Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox. The Trail Blazers have good young talent with Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Donovan Clingan.

East A 

Atlanta (40-42)

Cleveland (64-18)

Indiana (50-32)

Toronto (32-50)

Washington (18-64)

The Pacers, struck by the torn achilles of Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 of the Finals, lost Myles Turner in a sign and trade to the Bucks. Haliburton’s injury will mean an increased role for Bennedict Mathurin and TJ McConnell, and more on the plate of Pascal Siakam in terms of scoring. The Cavaliers lost bench spark Ty Jerome to the Grizzlies in free agency. This group could come down to the Cavaliers and the Hawks, who made big acquisitions in getting Alexander-Walker and also Kristaps Porzingis in a trade. On paper, the Hawks are one of the most dangerous teams in the league. The Raptors are an intriguing team with Brandon Ingram in the fold at forward added to Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl. Washington has a quality core of young guys (Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly) and veterans now with C.J. McCollum, Marcus Smart, and Khris Middleton.

East B 

Boston (61-21)

Brooklyn (26-56) 

Detroit (44-38)

Orlando (41-41)

Philadelphia (24-58)

With Jayson Tatum out with his achilles injury and Anfernee Simons in, the Celtics will look revamped for 2025-26 as they also shipped Jrue Holiday in the Simons’ deal. This will also be a competitive group between the Celtics, Pistons, and Magic. The Magic are better heading into 2025-26, and the 76ers, if healthy, will be a force still. With Porter Jr., the Nets are better offensive but lose some defensive prowess.

East C 

Charlotte (19-63)

Chicago (39-43)

Miami (37-45)

Milwaukee (48-34)

New York (51-31)

The Bucks acquired Turner, lost Brook Lopez (to the Clippers via free agency) and released Damian Lillard. It will be tough for them to remain very competitive in the conference. The Heat traded for the Clippers’ Norman Powell, a great trade for them as they gave up Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson. The Knicks, having signed Jordan Clarkson, have greatly strengthened their bench thus far in the summer. This will be another competitive group, between the Knicks and Heat, two old late 1990s rivals. The Bulls are a young team building with Coby White and Josh Giddey, and the Hornets are doing to the same with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.