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 simple.
Listed below 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 end result: L, Jap Convention first spherical (4-2)
The Pistons have been an incredible story in 2024-25. Now, it is time to change 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 in the course of 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. Nevertheless, with full management of their tradeable future draft capital, the Pistons might make a splash ought to a star change into obtainable.
4. New York Knicks (51-31)
2024-25 playoff end result: L, Jap Convention Finals (4-2)
The Knicks want a head coach, however accidents to prime 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 in the course of 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 prime 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 end result: L, Western Convention Finals (4-1)
After operating right into a wall within the West Finals the previous two seasons, the Timberwolves ought to be extremely motivated to discover a means over the hump and win the franchise’s first NBA championship. Forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid have participant choices price 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 prime tier.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
2024-25 playoff end result: L, Jap Convention semifinals (4-1)
Accidents derailed probably the greatest 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 in some unspecified time in the future 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 and have a good time the tenth anniversary of their first championship with a second.
1. Houston Rockets (52-30)
2024-25 playoff end result: 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 amass 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 and not using a professional main scoring possibility, 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 prime defensive groups in 2024-25, rating sixth in opponent factors per recreation (109.8) and fourth in defensive score (110.8). Durant may very well be the lacking hyperlink that results in an NBA title subsequent June.
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