2025-26 NBA Season Preview: Roster Gaps, Franchise Concerns, and Title Contenders
The NBA Finals may be months away, but it's never too early to start considering potential roster gaps or franchise concerns. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a championship win, are looking to repeat, but how will they handle the pressure of being defending champions? The Houston Rockets have added Kevin Durant to their roster, but will he mesh well with their young talent? Injuries plagued the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, so what obstacles will the top contenders have to overcome to secure a title in 2025-26?
The Thunder are in a strong position to defend their title, boasting a roster with remarkable continuity and a core of young, ascending talent led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, they will face the challenge of being the team to beat in the league, with opponents giving their best against them every night.
The Denver Nuggets have addressed their depth concerns but need to improve their defense to be a serious contender. Aaron Gordon's health will be crucial in their defensive improvement, as he needs to stay healthy and play at his best for the team to make strides on that end of the floor.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, despite their young core, need to stay healthy to make a deep playoff run. Donovan Mitchell's durability will be key, especially with the offensive load he and Darius Garland will have to carry. Health on the wing is also a concern for the Cavaliers, with players like Dean Wade and De'Andre Hunter having injury histories.
The New York Knicks, under new coach Mike Brown, will need to address their defensive issues and find the right balance in using Mitchell Robinson, their rim protector. Robinson's health and performance will be crucial in shoring up the Knicks' defense and improving their overall play.
The Houston Rockets will rely on Kevin Durant to provide scoring, but they need consistent offensive production from their backcourt players like Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson. Perimeter marksmanship will be a key factor for the Rockets, with Dorian Finney-Smith expected to contribute in that area.
The Orlando Magic, who struggled with 3-point shooting last season, have added Desmond Bane to address that issue. However, they are thin on the perimeter and will need their young players to step up and contribute more this season to compete in the Eastern Conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers have bolstered their frontcourt with the addition of Deandre Ayton but need to ensure his durability and performance in meaningful games. The Lakers' center options are limited, and they will rely on Ayton to anchor their defense and provide a scoring threat in the paint.
The LA Clippers have revamped their perimeter rotation with the additions of Bradley Beal and Chris Paul but lack defensive prowess outside of Kawhi Leonard. John Collins will be under pressure to elevate his defensive energy and provide a two-way presence on the court. The Clippers may face tradeoffs between offense and defense due to their roster composition.