Whereas the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who received the Larry O’Brien Trophy on Sunday with a 103-91 Recreation 7 win over the Indiana Pacers, are arguably extra well-positioned than different current champions to repeat, current historical past says that will not be straightforward.
Listed here are 5 groups that would 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 have been an incredible story in 2024-25. Now, it is time to develop into an incredible staff.
Detroit, led by 2024-25 third-team All-NBA level guard Cade Cunningham, has sturdy items in place to take one other leap through the upcoming season.
This will likely be a pivotal offseason within the Motor Metropolis. Per ESPN, the Pistons have a projected $19 million in cap area, though they may 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 might make a splash ought to a star develop 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 12 months, has been one of many league’s high postseason performers the previous two seasons, scoring 951 factors in 31 video games. For the reason that 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 operating right into a wall within the West Finals the previous two seasons, the Timberwolves must 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 best common seasons in Cavs franchise historical past, with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter among the many staff’s stars restricted sooner or later within the playoff loss to Indiana.
As ESPN notes, the highest six in Cleveland’s rotation are underneath 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 Recreation 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 amass 11-time All-NBA ahead Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets stalled offensively within the playoffs towards the Golden State Warriors with out a legit 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 ranking (110.8). Durant could possibly be the lacking hyperlink that results in an NBA title subsequent June.
