The NBA 2026/27 season is almost here. Training camps open September 29. Preseason begins October 3. Opening night is October 20. And the league looks completely different from last year.
LeBron James is in Philadelphia. Giannis Antetokounmpo is in Miami. Jaylen Brown is a 76er. Paul George is a Celtic. Peyton Watson is in Cleveland. The Knicks are the defending champions. The Spurs are projected to win the most games. And the Western Conference is stacked.
This is a team-first preview. Not player-focused. We are looking at the teams that will define the season.
Eastern Conference Contenders
Philadelphia 76ers
The biggest winners of the offseason. They signed LeBron James and traded for Jaylen Brown. Their starting lineup now features LeBron, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid. The USA Today projects them to win 62 games, the best record in the East.
But there is a catch. Four All-Star-caliber players need the ball. Someone has to sacrifice. If they figure it out, Philadelphia could be unstoppable. If they do not, it could be a disaster.
New York Knicks
The defending champions. They return 14 of 15 starters. They added Andre Drummond to replace Mitchell Robinson. ESPN projects them to win 53 games. They are the team to beat in the East until proven otherwise.
Miami Heat
The Giannis era begins in Miami. The Heat traded for the two-time MVP and added Klay Thompson. Bam Adebayo and Giannis form one of the best frontcourts in the league. ESPN projects them to win 49 games. That feels low. If Giannis stays healthy, Miami could be a top-three seed.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs made a significant move this offseason. They acquired Peyton Watson in a five-team sign-and-trade. Watson is a 6-foot-8 wing who averaged career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals while shooting 41% from three last season. He signed a four-year, $88 million contract.
The Cavs hope Watson can shore up a porous perimeter defense. He provides a substantial answer to their fifth starter role next to Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Watson’s defensive versatility alongside Mobley gives Cleveland one of the most formidable defensive frontcourts in the Eastern Conference.
ESPN gave the Cavaliers a B grade for their offseason. They are hard-capped at the first apron, meaning their total salary cannot exceed $209 million. As one analyst put it, “the reward is astronomical, as are the consequences for failure.”
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Boston Celtics
The Celtics traded Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. Paul George came to Boston in return. Now Jayson Tatum is the lone star. But Paul George might actually be a better fit for Tatum than Brown was.
Here is why. George is comfortable being a complementary player. Brown wanted to be 1A. George’s spot-up shooting could provide better spacing for Tatum’s drives and isolations. Derek Fisher said George “will be very comfortable being a complementary player to Jayson Tatum.” Bill Simmons said the Celtics “felt he might be a better fit at this point in Tatum’s career.”
George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season. Brown averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Brown is the better player right now. But George might be the better fit. That is the gamble Boston is making.
Western Conference Contenders
San Antonio Spurs
ESPN projects the Spurs to win 62 games, the most in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs added Tobias Harris. They have De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. This is a complete team. They reached the Finals last season. They want to finish the job.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder won 64 games last season. They are projected to win 60 this year. They lost some depth in trades. But Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still the MVP. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are still there. The Thunder are hungry after losing to the Spurs in the conference finals.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets signed DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal. He gives them a veteran presence alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. ESPN projects them to win 51 games. If they stay healthy, they could exceed that.
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Houston Rockets
The Rockets are expected to take another step forward. Fred VanVleet returns from injury. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard continue to develop. Kevin Durant is still elite. ESPN projects them to win 51 games.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves traded for LaMelo Ball. They signed Jonathan Kuminga. Anthony Edwards now has a new backcourt partner. ESPN projects them to win 50 games.
Teams on the Rise
Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton is back. The Pacers are projected to be the Eastern Conference dark horse. They added Ivica Zubac, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Larry Nance Jr. If Haliburton is healthy, the Pacers could surprise people.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors could be a factor if the Kawhi Leonard trade goes through. They are listed as high-upside Finals candidates by TSN.
Teams That Could Struggle
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons won 60 games last season. But repeating that feat will be difficult. Jalen Duren’s contract situation has put the team in a precarious position.
Duren is seeking more than $40 million annually. The Pistons are offering around $35 million. He made the All-NBA Third Team and was named an All-Star for the first time. But his playoff performance was disappointing. He averaged 10.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 14 games, down from 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in the regular season.
The Pistons have shown no interest in a sign-and-trade. But committing major money to both Duren and Ausar Thompson could push the team toward the second apron. An NBA.com analyst doubts Detroit can repeat their 60-win season, projecting a regression to around 50 wins.
Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe tore his meniscus and will miss six months. That is a big loss. The Blazers were projected to be a play-in team. Without Sharpe, they could fall further.
Los Angeles Lakers
ESPN lists the Lakers as the most disappointing team for 2026/27. They have Luka Doncic, but the roster around him is imperfect. If they do not win 50 games, questions will be asked.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are projected to win 35 games. That would be a significant drop-off. Stephen Curry is still there. But the supporting cast is questionable.
Key Storylines to Watch
Can the Knicks repeat as champions? Will the 76ers’ superteam work? How far can Giannis take Miami? Can Peyton Watson transform Cleveland’s defense? Will Paul George’s fit with Tatum be better than Brown’s? Can the Pistons resolve the Jalen Duren situation? Can the Spurs finish the job? Will the Thunder bounce back?
These are the questions that will define the NBA 2026/27 season.
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