NBA Preview: 2026-27
LeBron James kept things tight-lipped and kept everyone guessing on where he would play next. Choosing the Philadelphia 76ers, James added to an already supremely-talented starting group to form, health permitting, the game's most terrifying quintet. Miami Heat president Pat Riley, after years of attempting post-James to get his next superstar, finally landed his big Atlantic Ocean fish with the trade for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kawhi Leonard went back to Canada, infinitely strengthening the Raptors. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks maintained their title core, and have high-school-science-class team chemistry as they look to defend what in June was their first championship in 53 years. Here is a look at the top 10 teams in the Eastern Conference.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
New York Knicks
The Knicks bring back their core from their championship team, and have chemistry already that some of the other talented teams in the conference (76ers, Heat, Raptors) are working on. They also have a complete lineup that plays defense at a very high level and is versatile. Jalen Brunson fears no defense, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are spectacular two-way talents, Josh Hart at 6 feet, 4 inches rebounds like a center, and Karl-Anthony Towns can be the best player on the court on any given night.
Philadelphia 76ers
If healthy, there really is no reason for the 76ers not to come out of the East. With the addition of James, they now have someone who can handle the ball-handling duties as a true court surveyor. He will be on triple-double watch all season. Maxey is one of the game's top scorers, Jaylen Brown does so many things well, and Joel Embiid, if healthy, is next to the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic as the game’s top big. Health, though, is the question for the squad. James and Embiid figure to be load-managed throughout the season which will impact the team’s regular season record some, but a duo of Maxey and Brown along with the emerging youngster V.J. Edgecombe can keep this team near the top of the conference.
Miami Heat
The Heat, with a starting five of Davion Mitchell, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bam Adebayo, could have the league’s top defense in 2026-27. They also, unlike the 76ers and the Toronto Raptors, do not have any real load management concerns. The question is their depth. Backup guard Dru Smith and guard Pelle Larson (11.4 points per game in 2025-26) remain unproven. Starting two-guard Thompson and reserve guard Tim Hardaway Jr. provide ideal fits for Antetokounmpo. If the Heat want to make a statement, they can.
Indiana Pacers
With Tyrese Haliburton back, the Pacers have one of the NBA’s premier maestros to run their show. Aaron Nesmith provides “3 and D” on the wing, Pascal Siakam is a high-level forward who can play and guard multiple spots, and Ivica Zubac is a tough player who can rebound and block shots. The Pacers, like the Knicks, have terrific chemistry, and are led by a veteran head coach in Rick Carlisle who has long been one of the best in the game.
Toronto Raptors
With Kawhi back in Toronto and with an entire country backing him, saying that the Raptors will have one of the best defenses in the NBA is obvious. They will improve on last year’s fifth overall ranking, with Leonard and Scottie Barnes creating chaos for opposing wings. A lineup, which will probably be on the floor often, of Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Leonard, Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles is a nightmare for opposing offenses in terms of athletic ability, versatility, and switchability. They do have depth concerns on the interior though (Jakob Poeltl is their only true center), and really do not have a creator on their second unit.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers retained their core and added Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets, who gives you strong perimeter defense and effort. With Donovan Mitchell and James Harden still comprising two of the game’s best one-on-one players and the interior tandem of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, this team will be tough. The Raptors dealing for Leonard gives them the edge, though.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards, with a healthy Trae Young and now with Anthony Davis, have a scary tandem to lead a talented roster that includes top draft choice AJ Dybantsa and the likes of Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington (10.7 points per game in 2025-26 in nearly 28 minutes), and Bilal Coulibaly (11.7 in 26 minutes). Starting two-guard Kyshawn George averaged 14.8 points per game last season. This team, if healthy, cause some chaos in the East. Young may lead the NBA in assists.
Boston Celtics
Losing Jaylen Brown, and dealing him to your division rival, was certainly a peculiar decision by Brad Stevens and the Celtics, as one would think that the former Finals MVP would yield more than a 36-year-old Paul George, who has played just 76 games in the past two seasons - 25 of which were due to a suspension last season. But
George is still one of the NBA’s toughest covers. Six times last season post-suspension, he scored 20 or more points - including games of 39, 28, and 26 - on a combined 35-of-63 shooting from the field. Jayson Tatum remains a top player in the NBA, and Payton Pritchard is a knock-down shooter who can handle the ball and who will space the floor. Derrick White adds perimeter defense, and Mitchell Robinson will be a strong rebounder for this team. They can ascend to the upper tier of the conference.
Detroit Pistons
While other teams out East made off-season improvements, the Pistons stayed relatively the same. Cade Cunningham is one of the best guards in the NBA who does it all offensively, and Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Joe at the two-guard spot are knock-down shooters. Ausar Thompson is an elite defender, and John Collins, signed to a three-year deal in July, is a capable forward. The key to this team is all-star center Jalen Duren, who averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 regular season, but seemed overwhelmed in the playoffs, finishing with 10 or more rebounds four times and 10 or more points just seven times. He is the X-factor to this team repeating such an impressive season in 2025-26 that saw them win 60 games.
Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Johnson has fast emerged as one of the most complete players in the NBA - 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists on 48.9% shooting in 2025-26. Dyson Daniels is a premier defender, as is Nickiel Alexander-Walker, who took a big offensive leap (20.8 points on 46.9%) in 2025-26. CJ McCollum is a smart veteran who can still shoot with the best. Lu Dort, acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder, adds to this team's defense and toughness. Onyeka Okongwu (15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds) is a tough athlete in the middle.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The San Antonio Spurs as the Western Conference finalists from a season ago will look to take their next leap, while the Oklahoma City Thunder look to reclaim their spot atop the conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves landed LaMelo Ball via trade, and his pairing with Anthony Edwards is a fascinating one - a back court full of personality and production. The Houston Rockets get their point guard, Fred VanVleet, back, something they missed last season. The Utah Jazz have undergone a facelift, and Los Angeles is now Luka's paradise. Here are the top teams in the Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs figure to learn from last year’s NBA Finals defeat - where they could not keep leads and seemed overwhelmed in the clutch - to make a return Finals trip in 2027. In a lot of ways, last season seemed part of the growing pains that a young, talented team needs to endure before finally breaking through - a la Jordan’s Bulls and the Shaq and Kobe Lakers. The addition of Tobias Harris gives them more veteran leadership alongside Harrison Barnes to mentor the young core - a perfect plan for any young and talented team. Head coach Mitch Johnson will explore a three-guard starting lineup to begin the season - with De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle - which will make their starting five electric. Though lack of size at the one, two, and three positions could be an issue with the three-guard set, having Victor Wembanyama in the middle may wash away those concerns.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder dealt Dort in a three-team deal in the offseason to the Atlanta Hawks, and re-upped Cason Wallace for five years at $139 million to fill that void. They retain most of their same roster from last season, with their perimeter defense and versatility being a nightmare for teams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the game’s premier efficient-scorer extraordinaire.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets get back a healthy Fred VanVleet, who will solidify their point guard position - something they did not have last season. Amen Thompson is the league’s top wing defender, and Kevin Durant, 38 years young, has shown no signs of slippage - 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists on 52% shooting last season. Alperen Sengun is a super-skilled big man, he just needs to play tougher. Marcus Smart, when healthy, still provides you with a perimeter pest defensively and veteran experience at age 32. Tari Eason is a good defender and is athletic and can run. Reed Sheppard can shoot the ball. Steven Adams, another vet, gives you toughness and rebounding off of the bench.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Lamelo Ball and Anthony Edwards give the NBA its most electric backcourt, and Chris Finch’s young and athletic starting five - Ball and Edwards 25, Jonathan Kuminga 24, Jaden McDaniels 26 - is complemented by the veteran four-time defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert patrolling the middle. They will be depending a lot on Terrence Shannon Jr. and Ayo Dosunmu, both of whom are 26 years old, to carry their bench. Dosunmu (14.8 points per game in 2025-26) is an athletic scorer.
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic continues to sit atop the league as its preeminent basketball player - no one has mastered the game like he has. The issue in Denver is that the front office has not done a whole lot to get him help. Jamal Murray raises his game in the playoffs and is coming off of a career season (25.4 points per game up from 21.4 in 2024-25) and is an efficient player, around 48%. Christian Braun at the two-guard is an athlete, Cam Johnson shoots it well and can defend, and Aaron Gordon is a rugged defender and athlete. DeMar DeRozan, 37 years old and 18th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, was brought in to provide a much-needed bench spark and some veteran wisdom. Tyus Jones, a good table-setter, backs up Murray. Marvin Bagley III backs up Jokic. Still, a lot of pressure on the three-time MVP to carry.
Utah Jazz
Will Hardy’s Jazz are remade, with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. providing a potent forward combination. Second overall draft pick Darryn Peterson at the two-guard will not have the pressure on him that most top picks do, and should thrive because of it. Keyonte George at the point guard spot is a near 24 point-per-game scorer from a season ago. Ace Bailey, the team’s fifth overall selection in 2025, comes off the bench. This will be one of the better offenses in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers
Speaking of offenses, the Luka Doncic-led Lakers should be fireworks. Austin Reaves joins Doncic in the backcourt, while Quentin Grimes is slated to start at the three. While Grimes is small for a starting three even by today’s measure (6 feet, 4 inches), he averaged 21.9 points on 46.9% shooting and 37.3% in a 28-game stretch with the 76ers two seasons ago. He is a great complement to Doncic’s conductor-like navigation. Walker Kessler, acquired via sign-and-trade with the Jazz (four years, $130 million) in July, is a seamless fit with Doncic. Big and athletic, Kessler is a double-double guy (14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds last season) who also gets you nearly two blocks (1.8) per game. Collin Sexton provides additional scoring off of the bench, and Sandro Mamukelashvili from Toronto was an underrated pick up as an athletic power forward who can stretch the floor. Again, another great fit for Doncic. Kevon Looney is the veteran presence in the middle off the bench.
Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard and Ja Morant is an intriguing starting backcourt for the Blazers under new head coach Micah Nori. There are obvious defensive questions there, but they should be explosive offensively. The defensive questions are somewhat quelled by starting small forward Toumani Camara, who is an elite defender. Deni Avdija is big and athletic (6 foot 8, 228 pounds) and is a well-rounded player. Donovan Clingan (12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds) is a big center (7 foot 2, 280 pounds) who can block shots. Jrue Holiday, currently dealing as of this writing with right-hand soreness, is still a solid defender who can score, even as he gets up in age. Robert Williams III, if healthy, is a presence in the middle with his athleticism, activity, defense, and rebounding.
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker leads the Suns, a team that from the one to the four (Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges) has a quality mix of shooting and two-way talent. Collin Gillespie averaged 12.7 off of the bench last season in 28.5 minutes, and Ryan Dunn at the reserve power forward spot is talented. The question for this team is the interior. Oso Ighodaro, recently signed to a $29 million deal, is 24, and Khaman Maluach is just 20. This figures to be an offense that will score points and push the pace, with active big men.
Dallas Mavericks
Things could go sideways for the Mavericks if they decide to deal Kyrie Irving, but for right now, he and star second-year wonder Cooper Flagg form a potent, wondrous duo. The front office brought over 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher from Atlanta, adding to this team’s potential if the 21-year-old (9.6 points per game on 45.5% shooting and 36.8% from 3-point range) can continue to improve with a fresh start. P.J. Washington stretches the floor. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford are active but need to stay healthy. Naji Marshall off the bench is a quality 3-point shooter. The duo of Irving and Flagg could carry this team for new head coach Dusty May.
PREDICTIONS
Eastern Conference Finals: 76ers over Knicks
Western Conference Finals: Spurs over Rockets
NBA Finals: 76ers over Spurs
Written: Monday, Oct. 19 - 10:13 p.m.
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