It is officially Media Day in the NBA, which means training camps for all 30 teams have begun and the 2026-27 regular season is right around the corner. This also means it's time to take a look at each team in the league and figure out where they stand in ClutchPoints' 2026-27 NBA Power Rankings entering the new year.
In just three weeks, the New York Knicks will officially be defending NBA champions and hoist their championship banner into the rafters of Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will do so in front of LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers, a team with high hopes of dethroning their Eastern Conference rivals and making history of their own over the course of the 2026-27 season.
And also on Opening Night, we will see none other than the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs renew their rivalry that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. These are two young teams in the West with very high title aspirations, yet like the 76ers, Knicks, and others across the league, they all face some key questions before the 82-game season begins.
From injury concerns to lineup changes to personnel adjustments to other essential questions looming large, we examined all 30 teams heading into training camp and not only kicked off a new batch of power rankings but also asked and attempted to answer the biggest questions facing every team this year.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
BIGGEST QUESTION: Can Jalen Williams remain available and on the court?
We could sit here all day asking questions about the Thunder even though they find themselves at No. 1 overall in the preseason power rankings. Questions about Chet Holmgren and his overall impact loom large, as do potential issues surrounding the departures of Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Luguentz Dort.
For a team that is currently on the clock in terms of their financial situation due to their three young stars being on max contracts, the biggest question entering the 2026-27 season for this group revolves around none other than Jalen Williams.
When the Thunder lost in the Western Conference Finals to the Spurs, they fell as the defending champions without Williams on the floor. Although Ajay Mitchell's absence was also greatly felt by this group, Williams is the key to the Thunder's success.
Between his two-way abilities and the pressure he takes off Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to have to do everything, Williams ended up being the difference in Oklahoma City falling in seven games to Victor Wembanyama's bunch. If he is healthy and can remain on the floor, like he did during his first few years in the league, the Thunder will be able to once again enter the postseason as title favorites.
However, Oklahoma City's only chance of competing for and potentially winning another title is if Williams is 100% healthy and ready to go come time for the postseason. After all, he holds the keys to the Thunder's depth in terms of allowing Chet Holmgren to play alongside another big man. Without Williams, especially now that Dort is gone, this team is undersized and exposed on the wing.
2. New York Knicks
BIGGEST QUESTION: Do the Knicks have enough in their frontcourt?
Nothing has changed about the Knicks' championship starting group led by Jalen Brunson. Key bench players like Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Clarkson are also back. The one significant difference for this group is that Mitchell Robinson departed in free agency since owner James Dolan didn't want to exceed the second apron.
Instead, the Knicks' front office was forced to be cognizant of its financial standing, leading them to replace Robinson with an elite veteran rebounder in Andre Drummond. While this is a really strong replacement for the Knicks to have behind Karl-Anthony Towns, he is the only other big man currently under contract alongside Towns.
One can assume the Knicks will either make a trade for another bench center or give Drew Eubanks or James Wiseman a roster spot in training camp, but overall, losing Robinson and Ariel Hukporti suddenly raises an eyebrow if Towns or Drummond are unavailable.
In what has become a crowded and much better Eastern Conference, can the defending champions afford to play small and run the risk of Josh Hart being exhausted late in the year? There shouldn't be any concerns about this team other than their frontcourt depth at this time.
It seems very likely that the Knicks will find a way to flip either Pacome Dadiet or Miles McBride for a key, athletic frontcourt talent to pair with Towns and Drummond, which would immediately solve their biggest question entering the new season.
3. San Antonio Spurs
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Dylan Harper continue coming off the bench?
Aside from the easy question about Wembanyama remaining healthy for the Spurs, especially late in the year, there are also big question marks surrounding head coach Mitch Johnson entering his second season.
No, it's not those question marks regarding Johnson being in danger of losing his job or being on the hot seat, as he will be the Spurs' head coach for many years to come. But the fact of the matter is that Johnson did get outcoached by Mike Brown and his staff in the NBA Finals. Specifically, Johnson inflicted a lot of the damage himself to the Spurs with how he handled rookie Dylan Harper.
The second-overall pick from last year's draft had an unbelievable end to the 2025-26 regular season, and his success carried over into the playoffs, where he was the second-best player at times for San Antonio alongside Wemby. There are now lofty title expectations for this team after their Finals run, and Harper himself carries high ambitions into the 2026-27 season.
Whether he can truly take that next step and become a young star in the Western Conference is contingent on not only how Johnson utilizes his minutes but also whether he continues to come off the bench. It is obviously hard at times to juggle Harper, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle since they are all really talented guards, but the fact of the matter is that Harper's production and value to this franchise are too immense for him to be sitting late in games.
As the 2026-27 season progresses, the question of Harper continuing to come off the bench, a role he will hold entering the season, will loom large for Johnson and his staff.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
BIGGEST QUESTION: Who will end up sacrificing the most?
Joel Embiid himself is obviously a question mark for the 76ers. Even with LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe in the starting lineup, Embiid's availability and health will clearly be the difference in this team's title chances. However, we will go in a different direction and ask another question about this year's Sixers, specifically about one of these stars taking a step back.
Last season, Maxey averaged 28.3 points per game and was the catalyst of the 76ers' offense. When he was on the court, Embiid averaged nearly 27 points per game. With the Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown finished sixth in the MVP voting as the league's fourth-highest scorer, and LeBron averaged nearly 21-6-7 with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Of these four, not even including Edgecombe, who will be the one to sacrifice the most? One could assume this will be a collective effort across the board, and everyone will adapt for Maxey to remain the prominent young star of the team, but what this team looks like over the course of the first month of the season could very well define the Eastern Conference for the entire 2026-27 season.
The 76ers definitely have the firepower on paper to beat anyone in the league, but you just never know what a team looks like together until they actually have a handful of games under their belt. That is the case here with the Sixers.
We all believe this team will be near the top of the East standing all year, but until we see how Maxey, Brown, Embiid, and James all play together, it's hard to definitively say that this team has what it takes to win it all.
5. Detroit Pistons
BIGGEST QUESTION: Jalen Duren…
The only remaining contract situation around the league looming large entering training camp is Jalen Duren's stalemate with the Detroit Pistons. Media Day and the start of training camp are here, and yet there is still no contract agreement for Duren, who has passed on a $200 million deal — which is what he wanted near the start of free agency.
At this point, it's clear Duren is extremely upset with the Pistons. He has tried to look at sign-and-trade opportunities throughout the summer only for Detroit to say that they don't want to give him up, and the young star center feels completely slighted by the organization.
Even if Duren and the Pistons can agree on some sort of deal other than his qualifying offer, it's fair to ask whether Duren actually wants to be there anymore. Both sides have completely mishandled this situation, and the dark cloud that has hung over the Pistons all offseason won't go anywhere when the season begins, whether Duren is on the roster or not.
Keep an eye on what happens over the course of the next week, as Duren's current qualifying offer deadline is October 1. The Pistons have not yet signaled whether they are willing to move this back and once again engage in conversations with Duren and his representation to try and end this feud.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
BIGGEST QUESTION: Can this team actually defend?
Outside of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers look very different entering the 2026-27 season and a new era in their franchise history. New faces like Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, and Kevon Looney have joined the team, giving the Lakers an abundance of depth and skill.
The Lakers should have no problem scoring against virtually any team in the league, especially with Doncic and Reaves coming off a season where they averaged a combined 56.8 points per game. However, can this team defend at a high enough level to make their scoring output impactful?
Last season, the Lakers ranked 19th in defensive rating and struggled keeping teams out of the paint. Neither Doncic nor Reaves are great defenders, and both Grimes and Sexton can struggle at times to keep their opponents on the perimeter. Williams and Thybulle are strong wing defenders, but they have dealt with injury concerns over the last year.
As good as Kessler can be as a rim protector, he alone can't elevate the Lakers' defense, and he is coming off shoulder surgery that resulted in him playing in just five games with the Utah Jazz last year. Maybe Los Angeles will be a lot better defensively than many tend to expect, but on paper, this team's major limitation appears to be on the defensive side of things.
Although they may be able to put up 120 or more points consistently, the Lakers may just end up giving up just as much every night.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will the Cavs have the worst bench in the league?
Max Strus is now with the LA Clippers. Dennis Schroder is with the Charlotte Hornets. Dean Wade and Keon Ellis both left the team in free agency. This leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers with Jaylon Tyson, Sam Merrill, newly added Mario Hezonja, and a bunch of young players on the bench.
Despite making a big offseason addition and fortifying their starting five with Peyton Watson, the Cavs may just have the weakest-looking bench entering the 2026-27 season because the vast majority of this secondary unit is unproven.
Tyson and Hezonja will be counted on early on in the season as essential secondary wing scorers, and it's safe to assume Craig Porter Jr. will be viewed as somewhat of a veteran on the bench since he's been with the Cavs a few years now. The problem is that Tyrese Proctor and rookie Meleek Thomas are unproven in the backcourt, and both Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Khalifa Diop are unproven in the frontcourt.
Maybe everything will be fine in Cleveland, and this bench will actually pull its weight, but entering the 2026-27 season, this is definitely the biggest concern for the Cavs.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
BIGGEST QUESTION: Do the Timberwolves lack frontcourt talent?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been near the top of the West hierarchy over the last few seasons, but they've been unable to get over the hump in the playoffs and break through to make the NBA Finals. As a result, the front office has made a ton of changes through the years, like swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and taking chances in trades.
Once again, a new version of the Timberwolves exists entering training camp, as Anthony Edwards finally has a star guard next to him in the form of LaMelo Ball. Minnesota's backcourt duo will be dynamic, especially with Ayo Dosunmu set to hold a key sixth-man-like role. Not to mention, Jaden McDaniels will step up and potentially have an All-Star season.
When looking at the Wolves' roster, the glaring weakness exists in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert. Randle is no longer there, and outside of McDaniels as a potential option to play some power forward, the Timberwolves will be counting on Jonathan Kuminga and Joan Beringer to fill a ton of minutes.
Maybe things will be just fine for the Wolves, but this is a very unproven and weak-looking frontcourt behind Gobert, which could cause some problems for Minnesota against teams with bigger, stronger frontcourts in the West like San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Houston, and Denver.
9. Denver Nuggets
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Christian Braun bounce back?
As good as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were during the 2025-26 season, the Denver Nuggets lost in the opening round of the playoffs to Edwards and the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon being injured virtually all year didn't help the cause, but neither did Christian Braun and his situation.
Braun dealt with injuries as well and could never get back to 100% during the year, yet when he was on the court, his lack of production really stalled the Nuggets' offense.
After signing a $125 million extension last summer, Braun shot a career-worst 30.1% from 3-point range and wasn't the same high-intensity player he was during the 2024-25 season.
For the Nuggets to get back to who they are as championship contenders, they will need Braun to step up and bounce back in a big way. As much as the pressure also falls on Gordon and Cam Johnson to get their jobs done as well, Braun is the key to the Nuggets unlocking their full potential.
10. Houston Rockets
BIGGEST QUESTION: How will Houston manage Kevin Durant's workload?
Kevin Durant played in 78 games last season for the Houston Rockets and had yet another magnificent All-NBA year. Even at his age and after battling his way back from an Achilles injury he suffered in 2019, Durant is still one of the premier players in the NBA.
With that said, GM Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka have both mentioned how the team needs to watch Durant's workload and make sure the soon-to-be 38-year-old is 100% all season. For the Rockets to be successful, they obviously need Durant healthy and on the court, so how will they actually manage his workload?
A lot of this falls on Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson to step up for the Rockets into a much larger role. We saw glimpses of what these three young, rising talents can do in Houston a year ago, and now it's time for them to take that next step as stars for this team.
Durant cannot do everything alone, especially in a conference where Wemby and SGA have their teams miles ahead of everyone else. Houston has a chance to be special entering the 2026-27 season, and their success will be measured by who steps up around Durant.
11. Toronto Raptors
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley remain on the roster?
With Kawhi Leonard alongside Scottie Barnes, the Toronto Raptors hold high title ambitions in the Eastern Conference. However, it still seems like something is missing when looking at this roster.
Maybe Toronto rolls forward with what they have and ends up being one of the top teams in the East, but it's clear that the biggest question surrounding this group is about RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley's futures.
Barrett was the subject of trade rumors for the Raptors during the 2025-26 season, especially when the team was interested in Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis. He now enters the final year of his contract with Toronto, a team that will give opportunities to youthful options on the wing like Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamison Battle.
As for Quickley, he has dealt with a handful of injuries over the last year and was also momentarily on the trade block a season ago. Recently, GM Bobby Webster made it known that the Raptors still have enough assets to make an “all-in” move if they want to, so don't count out Toronto trading either Barrett or Quickley to make a championship push this year.
12. Boston Celtics
BIGGEST QUESTION: Can Boston even replace Jaylen Brown's production?
So many big trades were made this offseason. Kawhi went to the Raptors, Giannis Antetokounmpo went to the Miami Heat, and the Boston Celtics shockingly traded Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. In return, Boston added 36-year-old Paul George next to Jayson Tatum. Are the Celtics still championship contenders after trading Brown?
The answer to this question varies depending on who you ask, but the question of how the Celtics plan to replace Brown's MVP-like production is what everyone wants to know.
Aside from needing George to play well, the Celtics are putting a ton of faith in Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to be key offensive weapons alongside Tatum, who had a full summer to rest and recover more from his Achilles injury.
The Celtics do have a lot of depth at every position, so maybe this will be a committee approach where Joe Mazzulla continues to lean on 3-point shooting around his star. Then again, someone will need to step up and be the clear No. 2 on this team if they are to make another deep postseason push. Right now, we have no idea who that will be.
13. Atlanta Hawks
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Dyson Daniels, Lu Dort make a difference as shooters?
This is more like a “what if” scenario for the Atlanta Hawks than anything else. IF Lu Dort and Dyson Daniels can knock down consistent 3-point shots, then the Atlanta Hawks may just become what the Pistons were a season ago and emerge as one of the best teams in the East.
Jalen Johnson is already an All-NBA star for this team, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is coming off an All-Star-like year in his first season with Atlanta, and CJ McCollum proved in the playoffs that he's still a deadly veteran scorer with the ball in his hands.
Add on the fact that the Hawks have a ton of depth and explosive athleticism on their roster, and all of a sudden, this team is just consistent 3-point shooting away from being a legit championship threat. Do not sleep on the Hawks and the improvements they made this offseason, as this is a team that will scare many around the league, especially if Dort and Daniels can shoot.
14. Miami Heat
BIGGEST QUESTION: Is this another Giannis Antetokounmpo “hero cape” team?
Finding a way to trade for Giannis was always the Miami Heat's mission entering the offseason, and they struck a deal for the two-time MVP before the 2026 NBA Draft. Antetokounmpo now finds himself in South Beach alongside Bam Adebayo, forming one of the best frontcourt duos in the entire league, if they aren't already the best.
The Heat also revamped their overall depth, adding the likes of Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bobby Portis as key secondary contributors. Still, the big question remains: How is this team any different than what Giannis has dealt with in Milwaukee over the last few seasons?
Over the years, the Bucks have had plenty of shooting around The Greek Freak, and he's played with strong defensive-minded big men like Brook Lopez and Myles Turner. Even with talent, Giannis was a one-man team at times and was forced to do everything, making the Bucks predictable and leading to major struggles.
What truly makes this iteration of the Heat different to the point where Giannis won't need to play “hero ball” all the time and have tunnel vision on offense? It will be interesting to see what Erik Spoelstra has up his sleeves to take a lot of pressure off his new star offensively.
15. Orlando Magic
BIGGEST QUESTION: Can Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner actually play together?
It seems like this has been the biggest question for the Orlando Magic each of the last several years.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are each unique, exceptional talents on the court. The only problem is that both of them have missed extended periods of time over the last couple of seasons, directly leading to the Magic's demise.
Orlando made all-in moves by bringing in Desmond Bane last year and extending Jalen Suggs on a deal that pays him more than $30 million annually. This may very well be the final year all four of these players are together in Orlando due to financial restraints, which is why this is a prove-it-or-lose-it year for Banchero, Wagner, and the Magic.
The East is crowded with real title threats, and the Magic have lost a step compared to other teams. It isn't crazy to think major roster changes could be on the horizon for this team by midseason if they struggle before the calendar flips to 2027.
16. Indiana Pacers
BIGGEST QUESTION: Were struggles from the 2025-26 season truly just part of a gap year?
As a result of Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injury and others going down with ailments, the Indiana Pacers only won 19 games during the 2025-26 season. Honestly, a large part of this team's lack of success coming off their Finals run was the fact that the Pacers were using last season as a gap year and were blatantly tanking to try and get the No. 1 pick.
Although the Pacers didn't end up with a top-four pick, they added Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline and now enter the 2026-27 season with everyone fully healthy again, including Haliburton. With the same roster that got them to the NBA Finals in 2025, as well as added production with Zubac, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Jarace Walker emerging as a young weapon on the bench, the Pacers will be scary.
Everyone on this team has a chip on their shoulder, so look out for the Pacers.
17. Phoenix Suns
BIGGEST QUESTION: Is it Khaman Maluach time?
It never seemed like we saw the Phoenix Suns at full strength last year. Devin Booker and Jalen Green were both down at times due to injury, and Dillon Brooks missed a chunk of time late in the year due to a hand issue.
Article Continues BelowNow at the start of this season, the Suns will be without Mark Williams, who suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will be sidelined for months, if not the entire year. Do you know what that means? That's right — it's Khaman Maluach time.
The Suns drafted Maluach 10th overall in 2025 to be their center of the future. Between his length, rim-protecting abilities, and athleticism in the paint, the Suns viewed Maluach as a modern-day big man who could really open up the court around the stars on the perimeter.
Well, Maluach will get his chance to prove himself early in his career, as he is now the clear option to start at center on Opening Night. It will be very interesting to see how Jordan Ott eases Maluach into action and just how impactful he can be.
18. Dallas Mavericks
BIGGEST QUESTION: What is the actual direction in Dallas?
Are the Dallas Mavericks rebuilding and trying to find their footing entering the 2026-27 season, or are they a team that could shock many and actually become a top team in the Western Conference?
I tend to believe that the Mavs are the ultimate dark horses this season, but nobody really knows what to expect from Masai Ujiri and this front office, including other rival teams around the league. With Kyrie Irving returning from his ACL injury alongside a ton of length and athleticism, as well as Cooper Flagg entering his second season, there is a lot to like about this Mavericks roster.
It seems like the Mavs are one of those “wait and see” groups, as how they perform during the first half of the year will tell the tale for what direction this organization ultimately goes in. Maybe… just maybe, Flagg becomes a true MVP candidate, Irving returns to All-Star form, and the Mavs emerge as legitimate threats.
19. Golden State Warriors
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Warriors stay healthy until Jimmy Butler comes back?
Already, this question for the Golden State Warriors is in jeopardy.
Although Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are progressing slowly behind the scenes and doing very light on-court work entering training camp, Kristaps Porzingis is already out. While speaking with the media on Monday, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. gave a cryptic update on Porzingis' health, stating that the big man is out indefinitely due to an undefined health issue.
These are the exact problems that will lead to more mediocrity for the Warriors, as Porzingis must be available and on the court for this team to be successful. Last season, not only was Porzingis consistently out of the lineup, but Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and others dealt with injury concerns.
On paper, the Warriors have plenty of depth and a roster that could make some noise as the year progresses. But with Porzingis already dealing with health concerns, Dubs fans are simply shaking their heads, saying: “Here we go again.”
20. Washington Wizards
BIGGEST QUESTION: Could Trae Young play more off the ball offensively?
There is a lot to like about the Washington Wizards entering the 2026-27 season. Trae Young and Anthony Davis are two proven stars who are looking to lead this young core in the nation's capital, a group that just added a generational talent on the wing in the form of AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick.
These three alone make for an exciting season, and the sky's the limit for what they can achieve. This is especially true for Young and his involvement with the Wizards' offense, specifically what he can do as an off-ball threat.
Throughout his entire career with the Atlanta Hawks, Young always had the ball in his hands as the lead playmaker and decision-maker. Now that he has Davis and Dybantsa alongside him, we may actually see Young defer at times and go back to his roots of what made him so successful as a 3-point threat in college — moving off the ball and utilizing ball screens to get open shooting opportunities.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
BIGGEST QUESTION: Who gets their minutes clipped in the backcourt?
The Ja Morant and Damian Lillard duo could end up being really good playing off one another. What does this mean for Scoot Henderson entering a contract year and coming off his best season? What about Jrue Holiday, who is still one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA?
Shaedon Sharpe is out to begin the year due to a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee, so he doesn't factor into this equation just yet, but what will the Portland Trail Blazers' backcourt rotation look like?
Lillard should be eased into action coming off his Achilles injury, and it's safe to assume Morant won't be seeing 35-plus minutes a game right away, so this “by committee” approach may work out for Micah Nori to begin his time in Portland. However, as the season progresses, someone will see their minutes cut significantly.
Keep an eye on what the Blazers' backcourt looks like, especially before the trade deadline in February.
22. Charlotte Hornets
BIGGEST QUESTION: Which young talent steps up behind Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel?
After trading Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball, the Charlotte Hornets have a ton of depth around Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Coby White. Although veterans like Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and Dennis Schroder will help fill some secondary gaps on this roster, the Hornets will be looking to their youthful options.
Whether it's Naz Reid, Moussa Diabate, Liam McNeeley, or one of their rookies, the Hornets will need someone to step up into a key offensive role for this team if they are to be anything of note during the 2026-27 season.
Charlotte is definitely heading in the right direction as a franchise and has put together a really strong offense despite trading two key starters. Their only problem entering training camp and the start of the season is that Knueppel is out indefinitely due to a hamstring injury and won't be re-evaluated until the start of the regular season.
23. LA Clippers
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn be traded?
With Kawhi walking out the door and the organization being sanctioned hard by the NBA, the LA Clippers are officially entering a new era and looking to put all the drama behind them.
At the end of the day, the Clippers won't be anything special in the Western Conference this season.
Maybe they can come out of the gate fast with Brandon Ingram and Darius Garland leading the way, and maybe the Clippers will ultimately make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. No matter what, this team is not a contender, which raises questions about the futures of players in the final year of their respective contracts.
Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn are two of the prominent names to keep an eye on in trade talks this year for the Clippers, as plenty of playoff-contending teams will have interest in these two veterans leading up to the trade deadline. Whether or not LA looks to make significant roster moves with Steve Ballmer and Lawrence Frank suspended is a major question in itself.
24. Utah Jazz
BIGGEST QUESTION: Do Darryn Peterson, Keyonte George become a top-five backcourt duo?
Many expect the Utah Jazz to leap forward this season. A large reason for this is due to Keyonte George's emergence during the 2025-26 season and the arrival of Darryn Peterson as the No. 2 pick in the draft.
George just signed a big extension with Utah, and Peterson enters the league with a chip on his shoulder after not being the first pick. These two should complement one another as well, especially since they are each exceptional playmakers and can score off the dribble.
The Jazz definitely have something going for them entering the 2026-27 season, and it wouldn't come as a shock whatsoever if this young backcourt duo ends up becoming one of the elite pairings in the NBA.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
BIGGEST QUESTION: Can Zach Edey actually stay healthy?
Since being drafted ninth overall in 2024, Zach Edey has missed over 50% of the Memphis Grizzlies' total games. When available, Edey has proven to be key to the Grizzlies' vision on defense, and his size creates a ton of problems for opponents offensively.
Next to Cam Boozer and Isaiah Stewart in this new Grizzlies frontcourt, Edey has the tools to make a difference and help Memphis be better than what many expect them to be. However, his health and availability are still major concerns, and while it seems like he should be ready for the start of the new year, there are still questions.
For the Grizzlies to be successful and begin growing as a young group, Edey must be on the court.
26. Chicago Bulls
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Caleb Wilson win Rookie of the Year?
It is hard to look at the Chicago Bulls and envision this team making the playoffs in a crowded Eastern Conference.
Although Josh Giddey, Nic Claxton, and Norman Powell create a spark of upside for this group, the fact of the matter is that the Bulls are rebuilding and attempting to figure out what their long-term future will look like. One thing that is known about this group is that Caleb Wilson will play right away, and he represents the future of this franchise.
Wilson will get his opportunities to prove himself right away, and as the season progresses, he will become the No. 1 option for this team. Could this result in Wilson winning the Rookie of the Year award, joining Michael Jordan, Elton Brand, and Derrick Rose in team history?
Only time will tell, but Wilson is certainly in the running for this award entering the preseason.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
BIGGEST QUESTION: Do the Pelicans know something we don't?
Do the New Orleans Pelicans know that they have won 47 combined games over the last two years? This team finished with the fifth-worst record in the West last season and was not close to making the play-in tournament, yet no major moves were made in the offseason, and the entire roster that won 26 games during the 2025-26 season is running things back.
Why? What do Joe Dumars and the Pelicans know that we aren't seeing? Maybe a full season of Dejounte Murray being the team's lead guard and offseason progression from Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen helps, but overall, the Pelicans still look like a mediocre team on both ends of the court.
Not to mention, this team has no frontcourt depth outside of Queen and Yves Missi. Hey, the Pelicans obviously like what they have, so let's see what happens. It is hard to imagine anything will change with this group from last year, but let's wait and see.
28. Sacramento Kings
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine finish the season in Sacramento?
The Sacramento Kings are rebuilding. Darius Acuff Jr. will get a lot of opportunities to lead this team as the season progresses, but early on, the Kings will roll Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis out there as the veteran leaders to see what they can do.
LaVine and Sabonis still have a lot to give, which is why they will be the leading scorers and making an impact in Sacramento early on. However, the Kings don't have high hopes of being a playoff/play-in team.
The only reason why LaVine and Sabonis will be the featured stars is so they can increase their trade value. At least one of these stars will be moved during the 2026-27 season, and it's possible both won't be on the roster by the end of the year.
29. Milwaukee Bucks
BIGGEST QUESTION: Is Tyler Herro just a one-year thing for the Bucks?
Trading Antetokounmpo has pushed the Bucks into a rebuild and a new era. Maybe the future for this franchise is bright, but in the short term, this will be a bottom-tier team in the NBA all year. Do not expect the Bucks to rise much in the power rankings.
As far as this roster goes, Tyler Herro is the featured star, and he is entering the final year of his contract. Will the Bucks keep him past the 2026-27 season?
The Milwaukee native will have plenty of opportunities to prove his worth to the Bucks this upcoming year, and perhaps this will lead to a new contract for Herro. Until then, he will be a hot name in trade rumors leading up to February.
30. Brooklyn Nets
BIGGEST QUESTION: Will any of the young core from 2025 draft emerge?
Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets took a big swing in the 2025 NBA Draft when they utilized five first-round picks to fill 33% of their roster. Egor Demin showed flashes of his potential, but he missed the end of his rookie season due to a foot injury.
As the Nets prepare for the 2026-27 season, they are far from being in the mix for the play-in tournament, and they will be looking to avoid the bottom three in the standings for draft lottery purposes.
This season is all about developing their young talents, and the Nets are very high on Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. The big question is whether anyone else other than Demin from that 2025 draft class will actually emerge and be impactful.
Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, and Ben Saraf will have the spotlight on them to do something in their second seasons with the Nets.