There’s nonetheless greater than seven weeks remaining within the NBA offseason. It’s already been a wild summer time headlined by the Houston Rockets buying and selling for Kevin Durant, the Denver Nuggets beefing up their supporting forged round Nikola Jokic, and the Orlando Magic making an all-in push to compete within the East. A giant commerce — possibly even a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster — might nonetheless be within the playing cards earlier than coaching camps open, however for now it feels just like the league image for the 2025-26 season has already taken form.
Some groups will drop off due to accidents. Different groups noticed their rivals zoom previous them with bolder strikes this summer time. It’s not possible to precisely predict the NBA standings in August when the season all the time delivers surprises, but it surely’s already attainable to determine the groups doubtlessly in for a irritating 12 months.
Listed below are six groups that must be worse than they had been final season when the brand new season begins.
The Lakers had been improbable final 12 months after the Luka Doncic commerce, ending the common season 18-10 with him within the lineup to seize the No. 3 seed within the Western Convention. LA was subsequently smacked within the first-round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and set out this offseason to discover a starting-caliber massive man and add extra wing depth. The Lakers are bringing in Deandre Ayton to start out within the center, Jake LaRavia so as to add some youth and offensive firepower to the ahead group, and Marcus Good to see if he has something left within the tank as a fringe defender. LeBron James seems like he’ll be again with the Lakers whether or not he’s glad about it or not, and the instantly slim Luka Doncic will get a full season to be on the controls. The optimist’s case for the Lakers begins with Doncic re-certifying himself as a top-5 participant on this planet, and trusting in J.J. Redick’s potential to patch over among the holes within the roster building. I’m nonetheless very frightened concerning the perimeter protection right here: Doncic and Austin Reaves are going to be focused defensively, and there’s not an apparent point-of-attack stopper on the roster. Good appears just a little too washed for that function at this stage, Jarred Vanderbilt might do it however hurts their spacing, and Gabe Vincent has largely been a disappointment since arriving in LA. It’s attainable Luka vaults the offense to a close to top-5 degree all by himself, however there’s not a ton of capturing right here and the defensive personnel remains to be a bit scary even when Redick had them performing nicely final season. The Lakers completed tied with the Nuggets and Clippers and forward of the Wolves within the standings final season. I see the Lakers as extra of a No. 5 or No. 6 seed this 12 months, and that might in the end quantity to a small step again.
In the intervening time, the Bucks have the very best participant within the Japanese Convention. With the Celtics and Pacers poised to take a step again due to accidents subsequent 12 months, Milwaukee might conceivably experience Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominance to get again into the Japanese Convention competition combine after three straight first-round exits. Sadly, this feels just like the weakest Bucks roster round Giannis getting into the season because the finish of the Jason Kidd period in 2017-18. Damian Lillard had his points defensively, however he was nonetheless an superior offensive guard for the Bucks who put up the kind of manufacturing that’s virtually not possible to copy. Milwaukee doesn’t have anybody even near Lillard’s degree within the backcourt this season, with Cole Anthony, Ryan Rollins, and Kevin Porter Jr. slated to get many of the reps at level guard. I’m not even very assured that newly signed heart Myles Turner will probably be an enormous improve on the departed Brook Lopez. Bucks followers gained’t wish to hear this, however I’m additionally not satisfied Giannis spends all of subsequent season in Milwaukee. Shams Charania reported once more this week that the celebrity ahead continues to guage his future. It’s clear that Giannis would ideally like to remain in Milwaukee, however the scenario is simply so dire that it looks like he’ll be losing one among his last prime seasons on a hopeless group. I can’t discuss myself into Bucks optimism even with Giannis because the top-3 participant within the sport. If he leaves, this can shortly be among the many worst groups within the league.
The Celtics’ 2025-26 season was over the second Jayson Tatum was recognized with a torn Achilles. Boston was proactive in trimming payroll from there, transport out Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis in trades whereas transferring on from Luke Kornet and Al Horford as free brokers. Boston nonetheless has some spectacular top-end expertise with Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard, however their entrance courtroom expertise is atrocious and there isn’t a lot depth anyplace on this roster. The Celtics have averaged 58.5 wins per season during the last 4 years, and it’s attainable they may not win half of that this 12 months. I’m guessing Boston will wish to prioritize maximizing its lottery odds within the second half of the season to attempt to land a youthful franchise star subsequent to Tatum. I might be shocked if this group will get a protected (top-6) playoff seed subsequent season even a weakened East.
The Warriors had been a pair video games under .500 once they traded for Jimmy Butler final season. Golden State closed the 12 months 23-7 with their new swingman within the lineup earlier than eliminating the No. 2 seed Rockets within the first spherical of the playoffs. Stephen Curry was knocked out of the following sequence in opposition to the Timberwolves with a hamstring pressure, and the Warriors’ season resulted in limp style. Golden State has accomplished completely nothing this offseason because it waits for Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free company to resolve itself. The Warriors don’t wish to tackle any long-term wage in these talks and reportedly nonetheless desire a first-rounder again. There are a pair offers on the market with Sacramento and Phoenix that might ultimately return depth items to the rotation, and permit the Warriors to hopefully transfer on with signing Al Horford in free company. There are pathways to upside for the Warriors: Brandin Podziemski might take an offensive leap, the rotation may very well be bolstered by the items coming again in a Kuminga commerce, or possibly Kuminga lastly takes a significant step ahead himself ought to he return. I’m simply frightened about how Curry and Butler maintain up over 82 video games, and if we’ll see extra decline from Draymond Inexperienced as he turns 36 years outdated in March. The Warriors really feel like a greater playoff group than a daily season group to me, so a decrease seed isn’t the tip of the world. This group is very reliant on outdated guys, and in contrast to the Clippers, their depth gained’t have the ability to carry them.
This one is self-explanatory, and it’s nonetheless heartbreaking. Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles ruined what would have been a basic Recreation 7 within the NBA Finals, and now he’s out for the entire upcoming 12 months, too. The Pacers are able to take a niche 12 months similar to the Celtics, and I’d be stunned if that is nonetheless a playoff group with out their engine within the lineup. By letting Myles Turner stroll in free company, the Pacers stayed extra versatile to construct a greater group round Haliburton when he returns. It’s a bummer that this wasted season is the final low-cost 12 months for Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard, as a result of each will probably be in for hefty raises. One benefit the Pacers have over the Celtics this 12 months is they really have some attention-grabbing gamers on the roster who will now get an even bigger alternative. Jarace Walker and Ben Mathurin had been each top-10 picks who haven’t lived as much as that draft standing but, but when they’ll develop in an even bigger function this 12 months, the Pacers will instantly look extra harmful when Haliburton will get again. Add former first-rounder Isaiah Jackson to that group as nicely. I’m nonetheless frightened concerning the Pacers’ long-term outlook at heart. Jay Huff, Jackson, and Walker can absorb minutes this season, however an exterior improve will seemingly be wanted ultimately. I’m guessing the Pacers are again within the lottery this 12 months, and that might not be such a foul factor for them long-term.
The Kings aren’t tanking with Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan on the roster, but it surely’s onerous to see a path to the playoffs both. Sacramento gained 40 video games final 12 months, and it looks like they’re nonetheless wanting up on the Spurs, Mavericks, and Grizzlies on the backside of the West’s playoffs image. The Path Blazers will consider they are often higher than Sacramento this 12 months too, and I’m shopping for it. Sacramento’s protection will probably be an enormous query mark, they nonetheless don’t have an actual level guard on this group, and Doug Christie stays unproven as a head coach. The Kings reportedly need Kuminga and I can see that deal taking place. I don’t consider a lot in Kuminga’s long-term potential at this level, and it simply looks like one other teardown is inevitable. The very last thing the Kings wish to do is tank once more after so many shedding seasons of their current historical past, however this group is delusional if it thinks it’s going anyplace within the Western Convention.
