NBA 2025-26: Five teams that will take a leap in quality
Two franchises from the East and three from the West are preparing to improve in a big way in the NBA season that begins on October 21.
After crossing off days on the calendar one after another, we dive headlong into the start month of NBA season. We know confirmations, we suspect disappointments and we venture surprises. On this occasion, we choose five teams that can take a step forward in the 2025-26 season.
Attention prediction lovers. The crystal ball is on the table.
Let’s move forward.
They signed again: Bismack Biyombo, De’Aaron Fox (extension), Jordan McLaughlin
New players: Luke Kornet (free agent), Kelly Olynyk (trade), Lindy Waters III (free agent)
Draft: Dylan Harper (second pick), Carter Bryant (fourteenth pick)
Departures: Malaki Branham (trade), Sandro Mamukelashvili (free agent), Chris Paul (free agent), Blake Wesley (free agent)
Unsigned free agents: Charles Bassey
Last season record: 34-48 (13th in the West, did not make the playoffs)
The confirmation of Mitch Johnson as coach, and Gregg Popovich as ‘The Boss’, organizes the lockers on the bench Saint Anthony. But we are talking here about a potential takeoff of the Alamo franchise, with the largest number of chips put in Victor Wembanyama, already recovered from the thrombosis that sidelined him last season.
Wemby had a hectic summer, between out-of-context movements with Buddhist monks (it reminded me of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar fighting Bruce Lee) to disciplining and training with Hakeem Olajuwon in individual practices. The first action seen by the French unicorn in preseason was in a match open to the public between the players themselves. Saint Anthony. He ran the court like Kevin Durant and finished in the paint with a two-handed dunk taken from Shaquille O’Neal’s manuals.
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Wemby’s plays that mark his spectacular time in the NBA
Take a look at some of superstar Victor Wembanyama’s most dazzling plays in his NBA career so far.
His third year, if it starts like this, causes chills. But the Spurs They are not just Wemby, and they reinforced themselves very well in the low season: Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynik They present depth and seriousness in the painting, and the novice Dylan Harperwhich for many could be unnecessary due to the presence of Stephen Castle and De’Aaron Foxhas an incredible future and can make a difference sooner rather than later. Also be careful with Carter Bryanta forward who can play as a four and who despite his youth can collaborate in the rotation.
Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan They are preparing to take a step forward this season. Without Chris Paulthe young people will be in power. Let no one be surprised if they reach the postseason and win, at least in the first round.
Believe me: you have what.
They signed again: Nobody
New players: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (sign and trade), N’Faly Dante (free agent), Luke Kennard (free agent), Kristaps Porziņģis (trade)
Draft: Asa Newell (23rd pick, acquired in a trade)
Departures: Kobe Bufkin (trade), Clint Capela (trade), Caris LeVert (free agent), Terance Mann (trade), Larry Nance Jr. (free agent), Georges Niang (trade), David Roddy (released)
Unsigned free agents: Garrison Mathews
Last season record: 40-42 (Eighth in the East, lost in the Play-In)
It is a new team, because the departures, among which that of Clint Capela stands out, contrast with interesting arrivals such as Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Quin Snyder’s team has been addicted to the Play-In in recent seasons, but they need to go a little further than that in order to retain a winning spirit like Trae Young. Fidelity is an important asset, but it must be helped so that it does not turn into frustration.
The Hawks They fly under the radar, but they already have the experience to turn the page towards better terrain, especially with an Eastern Conference that is open to new possibilities. Dyson Danielsmost improved player from last season, and Zaccharie Risacherpick one of the 2024 Draft, look like two projects that will silently boost the team. Jalen Johnson It is already a guarantee in the balance and Onyeka Okongwu It is preparing to be a reference under the boards.
A positive topic for atlanta will be on defense. Daniels’ already recognized ability is joined on the perimeter by Alexander-Walker, another specialist. The concern in the paint will be the loss of Capela and the health of Porzingis, an X factor to know how far this team can go. The Latvian intern, key to the Celtics’ title in 2024, played only 42 games last season.
Despite everything, I trust that the Hawks They will have enough to finally make a jump to the postseason.
They signed again: Paolo Banchero (extension), Moe Wagner
New players: Desmond Bane (trade), Tyus Jones (free agent)
Draft: Jase Richardson (25th pick), Noah Penda (32nd pick, acquired via trade)
Departures: Cole Anthony (trade), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (trade), Gary Harris (free agent), Caleb Houstan (free agent)
Unsigned free agents: Cory Joseph
Last season record: 41-41 (7th in the East, lost in the first round of the Playoffs)
The thing about magic has been progressive in recent years. They went from being enthusiastic young people to being competitive, they made the playoffs and did not make it past the first round by inches. With the arrival of Desmond BaneOrlando can start shooting fireworks with meaning.
Bane isn’t an NBA superstar, but he may be what they were looking for in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and didn’t find last season. A forward with experience, hunger and scoring ability to appear when other offensive sources dry up. The former Grizzlies has always been a reliable three-point shooter, a kryptonite that has plagued these lands in recent years. orlando They were, last season, a very good defensive team, but the attack was not on the same page. It will be the focus to improve.
In that line, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagnerthe latter already super successful with Germany in terms of national teams, will experience their season of maturity at a leading level.
Jamahl Mosley It will have, in the 2025-26 academic year, its first time with demands greater than a warm-up. It is no longer enough to comply, now we must grow towards real competition that will begin in April. He magicIn addition to the offensive drawbacks, he must combat one of the biggest evils of recent years: injuries. Of Jalen Suggs to Banchero, with the passing of the Wagner brothers, the infirmary has always been overcrowded.
Cole Anthony left but arrived Tyus Jones and it is an upgrade on the perimeter. orlando It also aims at good internal competition, between Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagnerto find reliable companions in which Banchero can rest from time to time.
In an ocean of questions, uncertainty and concerns, the magic He hopes to take the next step. The time is now.
They signed again: Dante Exum, Daniel Gafford (extension), Kyrie Irving, Dwight Powell (exercised player option), PJ Washington (extension)
New players: D’Angelo Russell (free agent)
Draft: Cooper Flagg (1st pick)
Departures: Spencer Dinwiddie (free agent)
Unsigned free agents: None
Last season record: 39-43 (10th in the West, lost in the Play-In)
Last season’s position, with a Play-In defeat, is not consistent with the quality of this team. In fact, the precipitous drop in his chances had to do with the injuries of several members of the rotation, especially Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Davis, already recovered for the start of the season, and Irving, still recovering from his cruciate ligament injury, are Batman and Robin for this franchise, considering that Luka Doncic has been wearing the Los Angeles Lakers uniform for quite some time.
Despite everything, Nico Harrison smiled with the involuntary tanking of the 2024-25 academic year, because, thanks to the goddess of fortune, it arrived Cooper Flagg with number one. We are talking here about a luxury two-way player, with height, outside shooting, and defense. A potential mix of Andrei Kirilenko with Larry Bird. We’ll see if he can finally hit dallas everything it promises in the preview.
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Cooper Flagg is a natural competitor
The Mavericks player even competes against children in training camp.
The Mavericks They retained their core from last season and even had a significant improvement on the perimeter, where they took D’Angelo Russell and let Spencer Dinwiddie go. In addition to renewing Irving, they strengthened the perimeter with Dante Exum and spread in the painting PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell. Something like thinking a little about everything.
dallas He has a team to fight for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Two issues to follow closely will define the future of this team: a) Is Jason Kidd up to the challenge as a coach to fight for everything? b) Considering, in addition to Irving and Davis, Klay Thompson…Can this team make it to a potential postseason healthy?
There are unknowns and certainties. I trust that the Mavericks They are going to make an important leap in quality this season. The addition of Flagg, X Factor, could be the big difference in favor.
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What does Kevin Durant’s trade mean for the Rockets and Suns?
Tim Bontemps breaks down what the Rockets and Suns get from the Kevin Durant trade.
They signed again: Steven Adams (extension), Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jabari Smith Jr. (extension), Jae’Sean Tate, Fred VanVleet
New players: Clint Capela (trade), Kevin Durant (trade), Dorian Finney-Smith (free agent), Josh Okogie (free agent)
Draft: Nobody
Departures: Malaki Dillon Brooks (trade), N’Faly Dante (free agent), Jalen Green (trade), Jock Landale (released), Cam Whitmore (trade)
Unsigned free agents: None
Last season record: 52-30 (2nd in the West, lost in the first round of the Playoffs)
It’s a real shame the cruciate ligament injury Fred Van Vleetbecause with the arrival of Kevin Durantthe Rockets They were ready to be illustrious candidates for the Larry O’Brien trophy. Now, you go down a couple of steps, but don’t think it’s too many.
Between Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday The task will be distributed in the game assembly. That is the doubt. The rest appears to be under the control of Ime Udoka, who has depth and talent at all positions.
After seeing what he did in the EuroBasket, the Turkish thing Alperen Sengun It’s scary. We may be in the presence of the exact combination of Pau Gasol and Nikola Jokic. The arrival of Durant gives him the amount of stellar experience that a team that wants to fight for everything needs, above what Jalen Green showed in the playoffs, today in the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets They trust that KD’s arrival will allow them to improve offensive efficiency without sacrificing excellence without the ball, their strong point in the 2024-25 season.
Houston will, of course, have that beast of balance that is Amen Thompsonan all-rounder tailor-made for the modern NBA. Arrives Dorian Finney-Smitha player who promises to give more than what he did in the Los Angeles Lakers, and will also be Jabari Smith Jr. in the painted area, looking for a new takeoff jump in his career. Something else: the renewal of the New Zealander Steve Adams It happened in silence but it will be very important.
The Rockets They aim to be protagonists of the West. A first round of playoffs is no longer enough. The goal is the Conference Finals. With the question of whether or not VanVleet will ever return this season, they can do it. The experience gained matters a lot.
