Whereas the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who received the Larry O’Brien Trophy on Sunday with a 103-91 Sport 7 win over the Indiana Pacers, are arguably extra well-positioned than different latest champions to repeat, latest historical past says that will not be straightforward.
Listed below are 5 groups that might lengthen the league’s run to eight champions in eight seasons in 2025-26.
5. Detroit Pistons (44-38)
2024-25 playoff consequence: L, Japanese Convention first spherical (4-2)
The Pistons had been a terrific story in 2024-25. Now, it is time to change into a terrific group.
Detroit, led by 2024-25 third-team All-NBA level guard Cade Cunningham, has robust items in place to take one other leap through the upcoming season.
This can be a pivotal offseason within the Motor Metropolis. Per ESPN, the Pistons have a projected $19 million in cap house, though they might solely have the mid-level ($14.1 million) and biannual ($5.1 million) exceptions by re-signing Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. Nonetheless, with full management of their tradeable future draft capital, the Pistons may make a splash ought to a star change into out there.
4. New York Knicks (51-31)
2024-25 playoff consequence: L, Japanese Convention Finals (4-2)
The Knicks want a head coach, however accidents to high East rivals have cleared their path. Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, Boston Celtics ahead Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton all suffered torn Achilles through the playoffs, threatening every’s availability for the upcoming season.
Guard Jalen Brunson, the 2024-25 NBA Clutch Participant of the Yr, has been one of many league’s high postseason performers the previous two seasons, scoring 951 factors in 31 video games. Because the begin of the 2023-24 playoffs, solely Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has extra postseason factors (990). (h/t Stathead)
3. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
2024-25 playoff consequence: L, Western Convention Finals (4-1)
After working right into a wall within the West Finals the previous two seasons, the Timberwolves ought to be extremely motivated to discover a manner over the hump and win the franchise’s first NBA championship. Forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid have participant choices value monitoring, however so long as two-time All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards, who turns 24 in August, stays wholesome, Minnesota ought to stay within the West’s high tier.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
2024-25 playoff consequence: L, Japanese Convention semifinals (4-1)
Accidents derailed among the finest common seasons in Cavs franchise historical past, with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter among the many group’s stars restricted sooner or later within the playoff loss to Indiana.
As ESPN notes, the highest six in Cleveland’s rotation are below contract subsequent season. That continuity ought to assist the Cavs of their try to have a good time the tenth anniversary of their first championship with a second.
1. Houston Rockets (52-30)
2024-25 playoff consequence: L, Western Convention first spherical (4-3)
Hours earlier than Sport 7 of the 2024-25 NBA Finals tipped off, the Rockets made a serious play to win the West by agreeing to phrases on a commerce to accumulate 11-time All-NBA ahead Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets stalled offensively within the playoffs in opposition to the Golden State Warriors with out a authentic major scoring choice, which should not be an issue with Durant, one of many league’s most gifted scorers, at the same time as he enters his age-37 season.
Houston was among the many league’s high defensive groups in 2024-25, rating sixth in opponent factors per recreation (109.8) and fourth in defensive score (110.8). Durant might be the lacking hyperlink that results in an NBA title subsequent June.
