Evaluating the power rankings of all NBA teams in anticipation of the 2025-26 season kickoff

Season preview: The 2025-26 NBA landscape has shifted dramatically after a whirlwind offseason, with blockbuster moves and big-name rumors changing every contour of the league. From Luka Dončić landing in Los Angeles to Desmond Bane being traded to Orlando, plus Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal reshuffling in Phoenix, the balance of power has a fresh texture. As a former pro who’s watched the ebbs and flows of roster moves and coaching changes up close, I’m breaking down the power rankings with a clear-eyed lens on season preview, team tiers, and playoff seeding outlook. Expect a healthy mix of skepticism and playoff-worthy optimism across 30 teams. For deeper context, you can explore the offseason power rankings and playoff projections referenced here. NBA Offseason Power Rankings and Playoff Bracket Projections provide useful companion reads.

NBA Power Rankings 2025-26 Season Preview: Title Contenders And Conference Balance

The league has leaned into a mix of veteran chemistry and youthful upside, creating a tiered landscape where a handful of teams are built to contend immediately while others are positioned for rapid development. The biggest takeaway: the title chase is wide open, but the path to consideration as a true title contender starts with a clean roster fit, defensive identity, and reliable star health. For more on how the summer reshaped rosters, see the global implications of team moves and the summer narratives surrounding Kuminga.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder enter as the league’s most complete team, combining elite floor-raising talent with a flexible, basketball-smart supporting cast. Their extensions for key young stars signal a continued ascent. Season preview places them squarely in the title-contender conversation.
• The Denver Nuggets, fresh off a dynamic offseason that added versatile pieces, remain a primary title threat. They’ve balanced star power with depth, making the conference balance more favorable than in years past.
• Los Angeles Lakers have reimagined their ceiling with Luka Dončić on board, pairing him with a mix of shooters and two-way wings to chase a deep playoff run. The roster moves also aim to preserve the necessary guard play and defensive tenacity.
• Los Angeles Clippers have assembled a multi-pronged, high-IQ rotation with intriguing two-way balance, creating matchup problems for most playoff opponents. The question remains health and chemistry over a grind-heavy season.
• Cleveland Cavaliers bring a cohesive core and a chance to capitalize on a healthier, more prepared season for Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland. The coaching and continuity angle could push them into top-tier contention.
• Injuries and development risk up and down the league—teams like Boston and others will need to navigate major questions around star health and roster fatigue. The balance of power is delicate and dynamic, with no guarantees for any single club.

Tier 1: Title Contenders And The Conference Balance

• Oklahoma City Thunder — The consensus favorite entering the season, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading a deep, versatile lineup that thrives in high-leverage moments. Their championship window is real, and the supporting cast has the mix to sustain it. Front office strategy and offseason power moves reinforce their status as a sustained threat.
• Denver Nuggets — The champs aren’t resting on their laurels; the added mobility and scoring punch around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray keeps them dangerous in a balanced conference. Their depth keeps them firmly in the top tier.
• Los Angeles Lakers — With Luka Dončić joining the fold, the Lakers leap into serious title contention. The fit with LeBron James (where feasible) and the surrounding shooters will shape a high-variance but compelling ceiling. LeBron-era narratives offer context here.
• Los Angeles Clippers — A veteran, deep rotation makes them a knockout in a playoff series. The health question lingers, but the star power and woven defensive schemes create a robust path to a deep run.
• Cleveland Cavaliers — A core that can elevate in big moments and a coach who can maximize strengths could keep them in the East’s top tier. The Mobley-Garland-Mitchell trifecta offers legitimate title-pursuit potential if the road is smooth.

Tier 2: Playoff Seeders And Potential Breakout Candidates

• Golden State Warriors — Still a threat when Curry, Green, and a rising supporting cast are clicking; the offseason didn’t overhaul them, but small improvements could push them up the bracket. Summer moves and team stability matter here.
• New York Knicks — A coaching transition plus a healthier supporting cast could unlock a higher ceiling. Depth and balance on both ends are critical for sustaining a top-six seed in a loaded conference.
• Miami Heat — With a stabilized rotation and improved shooting, they could accelerate their defensive identity into meaningful playoff positioning. The season is shaped by execution and health.
• Portland Trail Blazers — A defensively anchored identity with a veteran edge and a few breakout candidates could push them into the play-in or even seed higher than expected.
• Philadelphia 76ers — The star trio remains potent, but durability will determine whether they slip or climb in a crowded East.

Tier 3: Rebuilders And Lottery Watch

• Brooklyn Nets — With a veteran core guided by promising young players and a large draft asset base, this season is about growth and long-term alignment.
• Utah Jazz — Youth movement continues; minutes for the next wave will shape their baseline for the next couple of seasons.
• Toronto Raptors — A mix of veterans and developing wings could yield a competitive but staggered trajectory toward a higher ceiling.
• Sacramento Kings — The core is capable of competitive basketball, but the path to meaningful playoff impact will rely on growth from supporting players and consistency.

Roster Moves Analysis: How Offseason Acquisitions Impact The Contenders

Team-building in this cycle leaned into a blend of star power and smart depth, with several moves reshaping title odds and roster flexibility. The biggest shakeups include Luka Dončić’s arrival in Los Angeles, Desmond Bane’s move to Orlando, and a dramatic reshaping in Phoenix as Durant and Beal transitions occurred. Milwaukee leaned into short-term flexibility by buying out Damian Lillard and reallocating that cap space to add Myles Turner, while Cameron Johnson joined Denver to give the Nuggets more shooting and floor-spacing gravity. These decisions ripple across the league and will influence coaching schemes and lineups all season. For a broader lens on these shifts, see the linked analyses on team rankings and front office decisions. Front Office Rankings and Playoffs Schedule.

• Luka Dončić’s move to the Lakers adds a dynamic scoring engine that can both create and space the floor for shooters around him.
• Desmond Bane’s trade to Orlando immediately gives the Magic shooting and off-ball gravity they desperately lacked, while also diversifying their offense.
• Durant’s exit from Phoenix and Beal’s buyout shift the Suns toward a reset, forcing them to lean on young talent and a redefined role for Booker.
• Milwaukee’s decision to move Dame’s contract creates cap room and positional flexibility, while Turner provides a defensive anchor at the rim.
• Cameron Johnson’s arrival in Denver adds another floor-spacer to a roster already loaded with ball movers and scorers.

Coaching Changes And Strategic Shifts Reshaping The East And West

Coaching dynamics will matter as much as player talent this season. A fresh voice or a system tweak can unlock players who were teetering on the edge of breakout. Expect new rotations, emphasis on pace-and-space, and a recalibration of defensive schemes as teams chase better balance across conferences. The goal for many clubs is consistent night-to-night execution, not just flashy margins. For deeper context on organizational strategy, check the front office landscape and roster-building philosophies linked above.

• Expect some rotational churn as clubs test younger players alongside veteran contributors.
• Defensive schemes may tighten or expand based on the opponent and injury status, affecting both regular-season decision-making and playoff readiness.
• Coaching changes can create immediate boosts in energy and accountability, even if it takes time to translate into wins.