The countdown is nearly over. After a grueling four-month hiatus, the NBA is back, and the first tip-off is just around the corner. If you’ve been sleeping on the offseason buzz, here’s your guide to why every team matters this season, broken down into groups based on their shared fates, ambitions, and challenges. Let’s dive into the narratives that’ll define the 2025-26 campaign, from rebuilds to championship chases.

Western Conference

Group 1: OK, Maybe Next Season… When’s the Draft Again? (Suns, Kings, Jazz)

Phoenix Suns: Can Jalen Green finally unlock his full potential in a new environment? Will Maluach and Mark Williams become a legit rim threat – if they can stay on the court? The real question isn’t if Devin Booker will demand a trade, but when. Four years ago, this team was up 2-0 in the Finals. Since then, every move has felt cursed. Things can’t get much worse, so is there a flicker of hope on the horizon?

Sacramento Kings: Hope? Good luck finding any among Kings fans. The “Light the Beam” era feels like a distant memory. Reuniting DeRozan and LaVine inspires little confidence, given their less-than-stellar run together in Chicago. Is it time for a full reset in Sacramento?

Utah Jazz: Will Hardy keeps proving he’s coaching material for a contender, but can he work some magic in Utah? Lauri Markkanen is a hot trade target, but alongside Bailey and Kessler, the Jazz might finally be building something real. Don’t expect miracles, but underestimate them at your peril – opponents could get their teeth kicked in if they sleep on Utah.

Group 2: What Are We Even Doing? (Trail Blazers, Pelicans)

Portland Trail Blazers: Signing Damian Lillard was more about nostalgia than adding a game-changing veteran, especially since he’s sidelined for the year. Jrue Holiday might bring some late-career stability to this young core. Sharpe remains a tantalizing prospect, Avdija ended last season strong, and Scoot Henderson is poised for a leap post-injury. But fans are praying they don’t dig too deep a hole early. Play-in feels like a pipe dream unless luck and opponent injuries align.

New Orleans Pelicans: A bizarre draft raised eyebrows, and their hopes hinge on Jordan Poole and a supposedly leaner, healthier Zion Williamson. I’m not holding my breath, and neither should Pelicans fans. The first week of the season might crush their dreams before they even start. A fire sale and rebuild seem more likely than a play-in push, especially given their track record of questionable decisions.

Group 3: Play-In? Playoffs? (Spurs)

San Antonio Spurs: The team of the future – but they’ll need to wait a bit longer. Castle was a revelation last year, and this season adds super-talent Harper. Kornet and Olynyk bolster the frontcourt, but it all comes down to one man: Victor Wembanyama. Already a top-tier talent with limitless potential, his health is the X-factor. After playing just half a season last year, a healthier Wemby could push the Spurs toward the playoffs. They’ve got trade assets to make a splash, but with this young core, they might hold off and catapult toward the top next summer. The bigger question: how many healthy seasons does Wemby have?

Group 4: Playoffs? Not Everyone Gets a Direct Ticket (Grizzlies, Mavericks, Warriors, Timberwolves)

Memphis Grizzlies: Can they stay healthy when it matters most? They’ve dazzled in regular seasons past but fizzled in the playoffs. Flipping that script is their only path to avoiding another play-in scrap.

Dallas Mavericks: Trading Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg might look genius in hindsight, especially with the draft lottery gods smiling on them. Losing Irving for the season hurts, but this retooled roster could still surprise – though they’re not a lock for the playoffs.

Golden State Warriors: Adding Horford makes an already veteran-heavy roster even older. They’re a matchup nightmare, but can this group survive the West’s 82-game grind? Expect some vintage performances, but the regular season’s length might be their kryptonite.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Losing Alexander-Walker stings, Conley isn’t getting younger, and someone needs to step up alongside Edwards to keep their conference finals hopes alive. Instead of the expected leap forward, I fear a step back looms.

Group 5: Last Dance? (Rockets, Lakers, Clippers)

Houston Rockets: Calling this a “last dance” for Houston might sound wild, but adding Kevin Durant to a young core puts them on a different timeline. Losing VanVleet means the offense won’t flow as hoped, but Thompson and Sengun are ready for breakouts, and Reed Sheppard could justify his high draft slot. The Rockets are gambling big – will it pay off?

Los Angeles Lakers: Pairing Dončić with LeBron keeps the Lakers in the headlines, and their talent gives them an edge in most matchups. But LeBron’s absence to start the season (thanks to nagging injuries) puts pressure on Ayton to step up. Without a big contribution from him, June dreams are dead on arrival.

Los Angeles Clippers: A deeper rotation can’t hide their age. Beal and CP3 can shine in smaller roles, but Harden’s playoff fade and Kawhi’s perennial health questions loom large. This roster’s window is closing fast – can they make one last run?

Group 6: Championship or Bust (Thunder, Nuggets)

Denver Nuggets: Last year, they hung tough against OKC’s youth despite a thin bench. Adding Brown, Valančiūnas, and Hardaway Jr. bolsters their depth, and while some debate whether Cameron Johnson is an upgrade over MPJ (Sofascore says slight improvement), he’s more consistent. A conference finals rematch with OKC feels inevitable, and I’m torn on who’d win.

Oklahoma City Thunder: One of the strongest repeat title contenders in years, OKC stormed to a chip in their first serious run. There’s no reason to expect a drop-off – only health or bad luck could derail them from another conference finals trip. With untested gems like Topić and a war chest of draft picks, their biggest issue might be the salary cap crunch looming next year after extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

>> NBA Western Conference Preview

Eastern Conference

Group 1: Two Years Away from Being Two Years Away (Bulls, Nets, Wizards, Hornets)

The Bulls, with two play-in exits, are the “best” of this grim bunch. That’s how bleak it is. There’s talent here – Giddey could spark Chicago’s offense, Knueppel might add flair for Charlotte, Cam Thomas and MPJ can drop big nights, and Tre Johnson could bring shooting and excitement to Washington’s backcourt. Anything beyond a flicker of hope would be a shock, but maybe one of them is only two years away.

Group 2: Play-In Hopefuls (Heat, Raptors)

Miami Heat: Similar to Toronto, they’ve got talent and ideas but little to show for it lately. Fontecchio could ignite Miami’s offense, but a brutal opening stretch (at Orlando, at Memphis, vs. Knicks) screams 0-3, deepening their preseason woes (0-6). Play-in is their ceiling.

Toronto Raptors: A decent preseason and a solid starting five give some optimism, but even on a weaker East, they’re likely capped at a play-in berth.

Group 3: A Gap Year? (Pacers, Celtics)

Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics: Injuries to Haliburton and Tatum put these recent conference champs at a crossroads. Many teams would tank and retool, but both still have talent to surprise with pace or three-point barrages. Boston’s White, Simons, Brown, and Pritchard will launch absurd three-point volumes (they had 60+ attempt games last year), and without Tatum, that’s their best shot at offense. Indiana leans on Nembhard and Mathurin, who’ve flashed as secondary sparks, but can they carry a full season alongside Siakam? With top coaches, expect maximum effort, but a deep playoff run feels like a long shot.

Group 4: Maybe, If Everything Clicks (Sixers, Magic, Pistons, Bucks, Hawks)

Philadelphia 76ers: The “healthy Embiid” narrative feels like the boy who cried wolf, but adding Edgecombe brings fresh energy. Maxey and the young backcourt should ease the load on George and Embiid, setting them up for a fresh playoff run. History says they won’t leave a mark, but a healthy squad could make Round 1 messy for someone.

Detroit Pistons: Last year showed their time is coming. They pushed the Knicks to the brink, losing by just three points in a series that could’ve flipped to 3-1 Detroit. Can Caris LeVert fit in? Will Duncan Robinson spark their shooting? Is Ausar Thompson ready for a breakout like his brother in Houston? Cunningham is primed for a career year – Detroit’s brighter days might be here.

Milwaukee Bucks: Their best days may be behind them, but never count out a Giannis-led squad. Adding Turner is a perfect fit next to Antetokounmpo, but dumping Lillard’s contract could haunt them financially. If their outside shooting clicks, they’re a playoff threat – otherwise, Giannis might be a trade target for teams like the Knicks or Rockets.

Orlando Magic: A 4-1 loss to Boston last year sounded lopsided, but they showed playoff potential. Their offense often stalled, but adding Desmond Bane fixes that. With the Pacers and Celtics stumbling, could this be Orlando’s chance to leap forward?

Atlanta Hawks: Since their 2021 flash, it’s been four lackluster seasons. Their big win was the 2024 draft lottery, landing Risacher. He’s yet to prove his No. 1 status, but Jalen Johnson’s return could spark a leap. Porzingis is a perfect pick-and-roll partner for Young, and Alexander-Walker bolsters perimeter defense. If KP stays healthy, Atlanta’s offense could vault them near the top – but the East’s summit belongs to others.

Group 5: Someone’s Gotta Rep the East in the Finals (Cavaliers, Knicks)

Cleveland Cavaliers: A stellar regular season fizzled in the playoffs, with injuries preventing them from matching Indiana. They’ve tweaked the roster without overreacting, adding Larry Nance Jr. and Lonzo Ball. Ball, finally back after two lost seasons, could show his unique skills in a good system—if he stays healthy. The Cavs are ready for another run at the top.

New York Knicks: Who’d have thought the Knicks would be East favorites? Mike Brown takes the helm, and fans hope he’ll manage minutes to keep stars fresh for the playoffs. Mitchell Robinson’s ready to start, sliding Towns into a stretch role he loves. Clarkson and Yabusele polish the rotation, and a more balanced workload could make the Knicks the East’s best bet to face the West’s juggernauts. Rumors swirl about a Giannis trade – will it distract or fuel this squad for a strong start?

>> NBA Eastern Conference Preview

Final Thoughts

I’m probably wrong on half these predictions. Injuries will crush some favorites, and bottom-dwellers will defy expectations. But enough ink’s been spilled – it’s time for basketball. There’s no better way to follow these storylines than on Sofascore. Let’s tip off!