With the NBA season set to tip off, teams have used pre-season to test their strongest line-ups. New players have also started adjusting to different coaches and teammates.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Lorenzo Gagliotta reviews the biggest pre-season talking points ahead of the 2026/27 NBA season.
Same faces, different teams
The pre-season offered fans a glimpse of what to expect this year. It followed an eventful off-season across the NBA.
The Philadelphia 76ers attracted plenty of attention. Their reported star-studded squad includes LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Both players could help the Sixers chase their first Conference Finals appearance since 2001.
Philadelphia will face tough competition in the Eastern Conference. The team also hopes that its new additions can complement centre Joel Embiid. His fitness could play a major role in their success.
Elsewhere, fans got a look at Giannis Antetokounmpo in Miami Heat colours. They also saw Kawhi Leonard return in a Toronto Raptors uniform.
The Atlanta Hawks also impressed during pre-season. They recorded four consecutive wins and built momentum ahead of the regular season.
Building an identity
Head coach Quin Snyder will look to Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels for leadership. Both players enjoyed strong seasons last year. Their performances could help Atlanta establish a clear identity.
Several rookies also earned opportunities during pre-season. Many made the most of their minutes and raised expectations for the new campaign.
Chicago Bulls addition Caleb Wilson impressed with his defensive work. Drafted from North Carolina, he also showed the ability to contribute in attack.
Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. will aim to make an immediate impact. Coach Doug Christie could rely on him as the team develops its approach.
Kings fans also took encouragement from Ben Simmons’ performances. However, an Achilles injury sustained during practice could disrupt his start to the season.
Who’s set to impress
Many fans expect the San Antonio Spurs to challenge this season. They will aim to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
The New York Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and coach Mike Brown, could also provide a major test. Their performances will help shape the competition in the Eastern Conference.
San Antonio have retained much of last season’s group. The team has also added depth through free agency and the draft.
Tobias Harris has joined from the Detroit Pistons. The Spurs have also selected UConn big man Tarris Reed Jr. late in the first round.
Coach Mitch Johnson will begin his second spell in charge. He will aim to improve the team’s chemistry and consistency.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle will remain central to those plans. Their performances could help San Antonio challenge for the top spot in the Western Conference.
The Minnesota Timberwolves also hope to surprise their rivals. They made major changes during the off-season by moving on from Naz Reid and Julius Randle.
Those decisions could reshape their approach to the title race. The team will need its remaining players to step up and deliver consistent performances.
Mixed messages
Despite a pre-season with mixed messages, it’s exciting times for Timberwolves fans as they’ll see how the dynamic of Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball will grow as the season progresses and how they can bounce off each other to help the team deliver convincing performances.
Many are looking at how the Oklahoma City Thunder could bring themselves right back into contention in somewhat the end of a cycle for this core of players, lead by two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander.
Despite losing the likes of Andrew Wiggins and Luguentz Dort to the Hawks, they’ve added to their youthful core across all positions, profiting from the draft, bringing in center Aday Mara and guard Bennett Stirtz.
With the Thunder hoping for a year of health, they can definitely see themselves back in the mould to be the best in the West and in the league.
Who’s most likely to struggle
Racking up impressive numbers in his rookie season, guard Cooper Flagg is only set to get better, however coach Dusty May and his Dallas Mavericks roster hope to build on a disappointing season with an incredibly young core.
The Mavs were injury-stricken in key positions throughout most of last season, with a positive being that Kyrie Irving is back after missing the entire season through injury.
With a heavy loss at home in their last pre-season game, the biggest question remains whether coach May can look to turn around their poor offense from last season, from improving their shot selections to more efficient scoring in and around the paint.
Whilst now being the perfect time to excel, the Boston Celtics’ star man Jayson Tatum is set to carry the load of responsibility in a somewhat new-look Celtics team, following the departure of Jaylen Brown.
A struggle for coach Joe Mazzulla may be far-stretched, considering their remarkable run in the second half of last season, however they face many question marks around the center position.
Defensive depth
After moving Brown from the equation, it saw Paul George join forces in Boston.
With fans dubious of the reliance to bring in a player capable of putting up Brown’s MVP-calibre numbers, it left them lacking in that defensive depth.
The real problem the Golden State Warriors face is their aging squad via low durability, with big man Kristaps Porzingis and forward Jimmy Butler incredibly injury-prone.
They struggled a lot throughout their pre-season, especially shown on the defensive end with Draymond Green having to be suitor to multiple roles, as the Warriors are missing out on true defenders in their squad.
Superstar Stephen Curry can only bring so much to the table, with his incredible shooting and on-court IQ, but may need to shift more of the load to the likes of Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg.
It helps that there’s been positive signs though, with the younger players in the roster, like Lendeborg, willing to learn from the veteran leadership around him.
