Every October, the NBA feels like it hits the Reset button. Summer trades, the draft, bold predictions, and off-court drama — all of it wipes the slate clean, making way for new storylines to unfold. The 2025/26 season promises to be something special: the league is undergoing seismic shifts, and the balance of power isn’t what it was even a year ago. Who are the top contenders now? Find out in the 1xBet preview.
East: New heroes and great expectations
The most striking illustration of the thesis above is the rebuilding in Boston. After Jayson Tatum suffered a serious injury in the conference semifinals, the team’s new owners decided they weren’t willing to pay sky-high taxes for a star-studded roster. Porziņģis, Holiday, and Horford have already left the squad, and no one would be surprised if Derrick White is traded next.
Sensing an opportunity, several Eastern Conference teams have gone all-in, hoping to replace last season’s favorite. New York parted ways with Tom Thibodeau, signaling a loss of faith in the old system. Now, with Brunson, Towns, Bridges, and Anunoby, the Knicks appear to be top contenders for the title, but everything depends on how head coach Mike Brown handles the pressure.
Meanwhile, Orlando made a bold move by trading for Desmond Bane. His shooting, combined with Paolo Banchero’s creativity and Franz Wagner’s versatility, could turn the Magic into a dark horse or, at least, a strong contender for the Eastern Conference finals.
Milwaukee is still in the mix. With Giannis playing at the level we saw during EuroBasket, the team can definitely secure a playoff spot. Beyond that, much will depend on how well center Myles Turner integrates into the system.
A potential wild card is Atlanta, which added Kristaps Porziņģis and Luke Kennard to pair with Trae Young. If Zaccharie Risacher continues to develop, this squad could be a serious threat even to the East’s top teams.
West: Clash of Titans
The Western Conference has always been a battlefield of ambition and superstars, and the upcoming season is no exception. Houston pulled off a major trade, luring Kevin Durant away from Phoenix. With KD, the Rockets instantly become title contenders, but questions remain: will Durant stay healthy, and will the team’s young core adapt to his style of play?
Denver is sticking to its belief that Nikola Jokić is not just a superstar, but an entire system unto himself — one capable of keeping the squad at the top even in the toughest stretches. The addition of Jonas Valančiūnas gives the Nuggets a reliable backup, meaning the team shouldn’t suffer too much when the Serbian needs rest.
The Lakers, with LeBron James and Luka Dončić, are once again defying logic. Dončić slimmed down over the summer and looked sharp at EuroBasket, while LeBron, for the first time in years, is heading into a season uncertain about his future. It all feels like a symbolic passing of the torch from one generational superstar to the next.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City enters the season as the defending champions and the clear favorites. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready to dominate. Both Jalen and Jaylin Williams, as well as Chet Holmgren, have signed extensions, and the core role players from last season are all back. The Thunder have everything they need to build a dynasty.
The Western Conference dark horse? Dallas. The team has acquired Cooper Flagg and still has Anthony Davis. If Kyrie Irving returns in 2026 from injury with the same fire and drive, Jason Kidd will have a rotation strong enough to compete for a spot in the Conference finals.
However, let’s not forget: the NBA rarely follows logic. Just yesterday, Indiana was playing in the NBA Finals, and today, they might fail to make the playoffs after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury. Two seasons ago, Dallas’s front office was being criticized for trading Luka Dončić, and now people say that very trade paved the way for Flagg’s arrival.
In the NBA, everything can change in a week — and that’s what makes the league so wildly unpredictable and loved by millions worldwide.