NBA training camps are on the verge of opening, with preseason games not far behind. That means the 2025-26 season is finally upon us. As fun and active as the offseason has been, nothing beats the season getting started for real. What can NBA fans look forward to during the 2025-26 campaign? Let’s look at the storylines and narratives that fans should be watching closely when the 2025-26 season kicks off.
Back to Back?
As the reigning NBA champs, the conversation about the new season has to start with the Oklahoma City Thunder. On top of being the defending champs, Thunder are the overwhelming favorite to win the 2026 NBA title. While there is always stiff competition in the Western Conference, none of those teams have proven that they can handle a seven-game series with the Thunder. Meanwhile, several of the top teams in the Eastern Conference have been weakened by injuries. If Oklahoma City can survive the Western Conference, the Thunder could become the first team to repeat as champs since the Warriors did it in 2017 and 2018.
LeBron’s Last Ride?
Is this going to be LeBron James’ final season in the NBA? At the moment, nobody can say for sure. James hasn’t said that the 2025-26 season will be his swan song, but he has admitted that “retirement is coming.” There is no guarantee that James will announce his retirement in advance the way other players have done, so he may not have a formal farewell tour. He may decide after this season to hang it up. Therefore, fans must go into the new season aware of the possibility that it could be the last for one of the greatest of all time.
Kevin Durant with Another New Team
The Rockets were arguably the biggest winners of the NBA offseason, improving their championship odds considerably by trading for Kevin Durant. Houston had already compiled a young and talented roster that snapped the team’s four-year playoff drought last season. With Durant in the fold, they look like Oklahoma City’s best competition for the NBA title, at least on paper. The question now is whether Durant can gel with his new team quickly enough for the Rockets to contend for a title.
Celtics without Jayson Tatum
One of the biggest storylines of the upcoming season will be who’s not on the court. This includes Tatum, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the playoffs last spring. He’s likely to miss the entire season, turning the Celtics from perennial favorites in the Eastern Conference in the Eastern Conference into a complete mystery. One way or another, it’ll be interesting to see just how far the Celtics fall without Tatum leading the way.
Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton
Other than Tatum, Haliburton is the other star player who will miss the entire 2025-26 season after he also ruptured his Achilles tendon during the NBA Finals. With Myles Turner signing with the Bucks during the offseason, the Pacers will be without two of their most important players during last season’s run to the NBA Finals. Could Indiana go from winning the Eastern Conference to not even making the playoffs? Without Haliburton, the Pacers could be one of the toughest teams to figure out during the 2025-26 campaign. Before making any bet on the Pacers this season, it might be best to consult expert NBA picks and best bets because there is no telling how things will unfold for Indiana without a star like Haliburton.
Mike Brown in New York
With the Celtics and Pacers impacted by injuries to star players, this could finally be the year the Knicks rise to the top. Things will be even more interesting at Madison Square Garden this season after the team fired Tom Thibodeau and hired Brown as its new head coach. The Knicks won at least 50 games under Thibodeau in each of the past two seasons, but the Knicks let him go after their playoff failures. Of course, expectations are immediately high for Brown, who will be expected to take the Knicks to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
Rookie Class
Last but not least, there will be a new crop of rookies for fans to watch closely this season. Top overall pick Cooper Flagg is obviously the headliner and the early favorite to win Rookie of the Year. He’s expected to make an immediate impact with the Mavericks. But there are several other rookies who are worth watching closely. Top-10 picks like Ace Bailey and Tre Johnson are playing on rebuilding teams that should give them a chance to shine and give Flagg competition as the league’s top rookie this season.
