Why You Should Be Excited for the 2025-26 NBA Season: The Storylines I Have My Eyes On This Season

The NBA season starts next week, and while I’ve been critical of Adam Silver and the league’s declining ratings in recent years, I still love the league and believe there’s real reason for excitement heading into this season. With aging legends still chasing rings, new stars on the come up, and maybe unexpected title contenders coming out nowhere, this NBA season could be one of the most exciting in recent memory and here are some of my favourite storylines going to this season.

Three Legends Each Have a Realistic Pathway to One Last Title

"The Big Three" of the NBA's last decade in LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant each still have legitimate paths to an NBA championship this upcoming season to put one final stamp on their legendary careers.

LeBron James enters his 23rd season and will now have a full campaign alongside Luka Doncic in Los Angeles. Luka is easily a top-five player in the league, and if LeBron plays at an elite level after missing the start of the season, this Lakers team should be seen as a true contender.

Over in Golden State, the Warriors were one of the best teams in basketball late last season after trading for Jimmy Butler. If not for Curry’s playoff injury in round two, they could have made a serious run. With a healthy roster and Butler now fully integrated, Golden State could be a major force in the Western Conference once again.

Then there’s Kevin Durant, who starts fresh in Houston after being traded from Phoenix this summer. Even though losing Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL hurts, the Rockets — last year’s second seed — are loaded with young talent aside him. With Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Şengün developing into one of the league’s best centers, Durant could very well have one last shot at a title that the public gives him credit for.

How Does KD's Final Chapter Play Out?

Staying on Durant, this season feels like a turning point on how we will view when he calls it quits — perhaps this is the final chance for him rewrite the narrative surronding his legacy.

Ever since joining Golden State in the summer of 2016, he’s faced constant criticism, with many questioning the legitimacy of his two championships with the Warriors where he won Finals MVP in both championship run. His Brooklyn and Phoenix experiments both fell apart. This last act in Houston gives him a legit shot at guiding his "own team" to a title.

If Durant leads the Rockets to a championship, it would forever shut the doubters up, and prove he is one of the greatest players to ever play.

Who Comes Out of the Wide Open Eastern Conference?

The Eastern Conference looks unusually weak this season. With Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton expected to miss most or all of the year, the door is wide open for other contending teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks to finally come out of the East.

With the Celtics and Pacers not being the same teams this year, this is the most favorable path they’ve ever had — and if neither can break through now, we may have to start questioning whether they ever will.

At the same time, this landscape gives young stars a golden opportunity to have a run similar to what Tyrese Haliburton did last year when guided the Pacers all the way to the NBA Finals.

Could Paolo Banchero take Orlando to the Finals after their off-season moves? Could Cade Cunningham lead Detroit on a Cinderella run? Or could a team like Trae Young's Atlanta Hawks steal the conference crown?

The East is unpredictable this season — and that’s what makes it exciting for fans of teams in that conference.

What Does This Year Look Like for Giannis & The Bucks?

Another major storyline in the East is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee. Despite the Bucks adding Myles Turner this summer, this might be the weakest supporting cast he’s had in his prime, and questions about his future with the Bucks are louder than ever.

Still, in a weak Eastern Conference, there’s an argument that this could actually be Giannis’ best shot at another Finals run. If he goes full LeBron 2018 mode, we could see him carry Milwaukee back to the Finals. But if the Bucks stumble early, don’t be surprised if trade rumors start swirling fast.

Can Players Like Joel Embiid & Zion Williamson Finally Stay Healthy?

Two of the league’s most injury-prone superstars — Joel Embiid and Zion Williamson — are entering pivotal seasons.

When healthy, Embiid is an MVP candidate every year and one of the top five players in the NBA. With the East weakened, this might be his best chance yet to reach the Finals — if he can finally stay healthy.

Zion, meanwhile, is once again in peak shape and looking to play in the first playoff games of his career this season. Every year seems to alternate between promise and frustration, but if “Skinny Zion” stays on the court, the Pelicans could surprise people out West.

How Good Will The Jaylen Brown Led Celtics Be?

The Boston Celtics are likely in for a frustrating year. With Jayson Tatum sidelined, the team’s championship aspirations are on hold. However, this could be year where Jaylen Brown gets to shine.

For years, Brown’s name has floated in trade rumors. Now, with the offense in his hands, he has a chance to prove he can be the best player on a winning team. If he can carry Boston to a top-four seed, it could solidify his place as a Celtic legend and silence all trade speculation for good.

Nikola Jokic Has The Supporting Cast He Deserves

The Denver Nuggets had one of the best offseasons in the NBA this summer. They added Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas, brought back Bruce Brown, and bolstered their depth around Nikola Jokic, the league’s best player.

This is the strongest Nuggets roster since their 2023 championship team, and they enter the year as my early pick to win it all. Jokic continues to separate himself from the rest of the NBA, and with this supporting cast, Denver has a legitimate chance at being the last team left standing.

How Big of a Jump Do Wemby and the Spurs Make?

As Victor Wembanyama enters his third season, expectations are sky-high. In just a few years, I think he will be considered the best player in the NBA.

The San Antonio Spurs have built a solid young core around him — Devin Vassell, De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle, last year’s Rookie of the Year. This will also be their first full season without Gregg Popovich, signaling a new era in San Antonio.

Wembanyama may not lead the Spurs to the Finals just yet, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make the playoffs — and set the foundation for the future.

Can Anyone Stop SGA & The Thunder?

Finally, we arrive at the reigning champions — the Oklahoma City Thunder. Last season, they were the best team in basketball by a wide margin.

Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last year's regular season and Finals MVP, OKC’s young core — including Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren — should continue to get better around their star player. With a treasure chest of draft picks, they have the flexibility to make a big move if needed.

No team has gone back-to-back since the Warriors (2017 & 18), and this year will test whether the Thunder are truly the start of a new NBA dynasty — or if the league’s parity will catch up to them.