The Miami Heat add another perennial All-Star in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
For every team in the league, there are reasons to be optimistic and reasons to be pessimistic about the future.
Thinking positively, the young guys are going to get better, the new coach will fix the structural issues, and the offseason acquisition will address the team’s biggest weakness.
On the other hand, maybe the vets are slowing down, the clutch shots won’t bounce the right way, or the team won’t be as healthy as it was last season.
Starting on Oct. 20, we’ll find out which of those viewpoints was the right one. But for this exercise, the glass is half full.
Here’s one reason for every team to be optimistic, whether it’s about the 2026-27 season or further down the line…
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks – They were 27-14 with CJ McCollum in the lineup last season, then won more playoff games vs. the Knicks (2) than the Sixers, Cavs and Spurs combined.
Boston Celtics – Over the last four years, they were 35-7 (.833) when Jayson Tatum played without Jaylen Brown.
Brooklyn Nets – Julius Randle raises the floor and puts the younger guys in more appropriate roles.
Charlotte Hornets – They scored an efficient 120.3 points per 100 possessions in 332 total minutes (regular season + Play-In) with Coby White on the floor without LaMelo Ball.
Chicago Bulls – Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson are a pair of young, long and athletic forwards that could be the envy of the league in a couple of years.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Peyton Watson might be the missing ingredient for a talented team that reached the conference finals in May.
Detroit Pistons – They had the best record in games between eventual playoff teams last season, and the core is still very young.
Indiana Pacers – The last time Tyrese Haliburton was in uniform, the Pacers were playing Game 7 of the Finals.
Miami Heat – Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the best defensive frontcourt in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks – The seeds of future success have been planted, with the Bucks having six guys who were selected in the top 20 in the last five drafts.
New York Knicks – They’re the champs and their starters are all in their prime.
Orlando Magic – New head coach Sean Sweeney will likely get them defending at a top-five level again.
Philadelphia 76ers – There’s not a more talented starting lineup in the league.
Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard is back and he addresses the Raptors’ biggest weakness (half-court offense).
Washington Wizards – AJ Dybantsa is a future star, and the combination of Trae Young and Anthony Davis could make this the best Wizards season in several years.
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks – Cooper Flagg is the real deal and the return of Kyrie Irving makes the Mavs much more competitive.
Denver Nuggets – Aaron Gordon should be healthier after missing 49 (56%) of a possible 88 games last season (including playoffs).
Golden State Warriors – Kristaps Porziņģis finished the season in uniform, but he played just three games with Stephen Curry. So we’ve yet to really see what they can do together.
Houston Rockets – They had the West’s third-best point differential last season, and Fred VanVleet provides the two things (ball-handling and shooting) they needed most.
LA Clippers – Keaton Wagler is a big guard with a variety of skills, and the Clippers have some vets who could keep them competitive (or get them more picks).
Los Angeles Lakers – They have a keystone on both ends of the floor, with Luka Dončić carrying the offense and Walker Kessler anchoring the defense.
Memphis Grizzlies – Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer and Zach Edey is an intriguing and complementary young core.
Minnesota Timberwolves – LaMelo Ball will make Anthony Edwards (49.6% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last season) a more efficient scorer.
New Orleans Pelicans – They outscored their opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions in 303 total minutes with Dejounte Murray on the floor with at least two of Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III or Zion Williamson last season.
Oklahoma City Thunder – A healthy Jalen Williams is a game-changer.
Phoenix Suns – The offense was remarkably efficient (122.6 points scored per 100 possessions) in a small sample size (291 total minutes including the Play-In and playoffs) with Jalen Green (who played in only 38 games) on the floor with both Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
Portland Trail Blazers – The return of Damian Lillard and the addition of Ja Morant is a huge infusion of backcourt talent.
Sacramento Kings – The duo of Darius Acuff Jr. and Nique Clifford should be fun to watch … and potentially very potent in two or three years.
San Antonio Spurs – Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama are just 20, 21 and 22 years old, respectively.
Utah Jazz – The flip is about to be switched, and this team has the talent to compete for a playoff spot while also developing two top-five picks from the last two drafts.
