The 2025-26 NBA season is still on the horizon, but the future is already taking shape. As legends like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant enter the twilight of their careers, a new generation is primed to take over the league. The landscape is shifting, and the battle for the throne will be defined by versatile superstars and dynamic young cores.
Here is our first look at what the league will look like in two years with our comprehensive NBA 2025-26 season preview, complete with power rankings, predictions, and analysis for all 30 teams.
2025-26 NBA Power Rankings: The Championship Tier
These are the elite teams with the talent, chemistry, and established superstars to be considered the top championship favorites for the 2025-26 season.
- 1. Denver Nuggets: There’s no reason to bet against the league’s most cohesive unit. A prime Nikola Jokic will still be the best player on the planet, conducting a symphony of elite offense. With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. as proven co-stars, the Nuggets’ continuity and experience make them the team to beat.
- 2. Oklahoma City Thunder: The “fun young team” label will be a distant memory. By 2025, the Thunder will be a powerhouse. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be an annual MVP finalist, while Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams will have developed into All-Stars. Armed with an arsenal of draft picks, OKC can add another star at a moment’s notice, making them one of the league’s most feared teams.
- 3. San Antonio Spurs: This is the leap. Year three for Victor Wembanyama will be his official coronation as a league-altering, two-way force. With two more years of high draft picks and smart roster construction around him, Gregg Popovich’s team will rocket from the lottery into genuine title contention. Wembanyama isn’t just a player; he’s a paradigm shift.
Tier 2: The Dark Horse Contenders
These teams are just one move or a lucky break away from crashing the party and making a deep playoff run.
- Minnesota Timberwolves: This will be Anthony Edwards’ league to conquer. “Ant-Man” has the explosive talent and infectious swagger to carry a franchise on his back. Supported by elite defenders like Jaden McDaniels and a core built on toughness, the Wolves will be a brutal matchup that no one wants to face in a seven-game series.
- Orlando Magic: The league’s best young forward duo, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, will be in their prime. The Magic have forged an identity built on size, length, and defensive versatility. By 2025, their offensive games will have polished enough to match their defensive prowess, creating a balanced and dangerous force in the East.
- Indiana Pacers: Get ready for track meets. The league’s most potent offense, led by passing wizard Tyrese Haliburton, will be even more lethal. The Pacers play with unparalleled pace and shooting. If they can assemble even a league-average defense, their high-powered scoring makes them a legitimate threat to make the NBA Finals.
Tier 3: The Playoff Locks with a Ceiling
These teams will be consistent fixtures in the postseason, but their challenge will be breaking through from “good” to “truly elite.”
- Dallas Mavericks: As long as Luka Dončić is on the court, the Mavs will be a threat. The question is whether they can build a consistent, defensively sound roster around their heliocentric superstar to get over the top.
- New York Knicks: Led by the relentless Jalen Brunson, the Knicks will continue to be a tough, physical, and well-coached team that reflects the identity of their city. They will be a perennial playoff team, but will need to find a true #1 superstar to join the championship tier.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: With a talented core featuring Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers have the pieces to compete. The 2025-26 season will be a pivotal year to prove their core can not only make the playoffs but win multiple rounds.
Tier 4: Navigating a Crossroads
These franchises are facing pivotal transitions as they move on from legendary eras. Their success depends entirely on the moves they make in the next two years.
- The Legacy Franchises (Lakers, Warriors, Suns): The biggest question marks in the NBA. What does a post-LeBron Lakers organization look like? How do the Warriors retool after the Splash Brothers? Can the Suns salvage their top-heavy roster? These teams will be navigating a delicate and crucial transition.
Tier 5: The Young Cores on the Rise
These teams have amassed significant young talent through the draft. By 2025, we’ll know if their timelines have accelerated toward contention.
- The Rebuilders (Pistons, Rockets, Hornets, Blazers): This group is brimming with potential. The 2025-26 season will be the ultimate report card for players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, LaMelo Ball, and Scoot Henderson. Their development will determine if these teams are the next OKC or stuck in another rebuilding cycle.
