There’s still quite a bit of time left in the NBA offseason, over seven weeks to be exact. This summer has been particularly eventful, what with the Houston Rockets likely preparing for trades involving Kevin Durant, the Denver Nuggets enhancing their support for Nikola Jokic, and the Orlando Magic pushing hard to be competitive in the East. While there might be a significant trade—perhaps a blockbuster involving Giannis Antetokounmpo—before training camps begin, it feels like the landscape for the 2025-26 season is already taking shape.
Injuries will certainly impact some teams, while others find themselves trailing behind after bold summer moves made by their rivals. Predicting NBA rankings in August is tricky due to the surprises the season frequently brings, yet it’s possible to identify some teams that may struggle in the upcoming year.
Here are six teams that could end up worse off than last season:
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had a remarkable run last year following the trade for Luka Doncic, finishing the regular season strong. However, they faced an early playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This offseason, they secured a notable big man to add versatility and depth. With Jake Laravia joining as a forward and the addition of DeAndre Ayton in the center position, there’s hope. Add Marcus Smart, who’s testing his limits as a boundary defender, and it seems like there’s a decent mix. LeBron James is expected to return, though it’s unclear how he feels about it. Doncic will have a full season, which is a plus, but I’m concerned about their boundary defense: both Doncic and Austin Reeves might struggle. Smart seems a bit past his prime in this role, and while Jarred Vanderbilt can help defensively, he might hinder spacing. The Lakers could end up around the fifth or sixth seed, but honestly, I think they might drop a little from last year’s position.
Milwaukee Bucks
Currently, the Bucks feature some of the top players in the Eastern Conference. With the Celtics and Pacers likely facing setbacks due to injuries, Milwaukee could leverage Giannis Antetokounmpo’s strengths. Still, this roster seems weaker than in previous seasons since the end of Jason Kidd’s era. While Damian Lillard brought strong offensive skills, his defensive issues raise concerns—plus, no one else on the roster currently matches his caliber in the backcourt. The newcomers like Cole Anthony, Ryan Rollins, and Kevin Porter Jr. might not deliver the needed impact. Adding Miles Turner may not significantly upgrade the center position over Brook Lopez. It’s a tough situation; fans might not want to hear this, but there are lingering doubts about Giannis’s future in Milwaukee. Reports indicate he’s contemplating his next steps. If he leaves, it could spell trouble for the Bucks.
Boston Celtics
The start of the Celtics’ 2025-26 season coincides with the news of Jason Tatum suffering a torn Achilles. Since then, the team has been on a spending diet, trading away players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, while also parting with veterans like Luke Kornet and Al Horford. With stars like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard still in tow, their frontcourt seems lacking. Boston has consistently averaged impressive wins in recent seasons, but can they maintain that? It’s likely they’ll aim to maximize their lottery odds to snag a future star alongside Tatum. I wouldn’t be shocked if they miss out on the playoffs altogether.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler last season but ended on the wrong side of .500. They finished strong but stumbled in the playoffs after Stephen Curry sustained a hamstring injury. This offseason hasn’t brought much change; they’ve been waiting on Jonathan Kuminga’s limited free agency to resolve. The Warriors reportedly want first-round picks while hesitating to absorb long-term contracts. There are ongoing talks with Sacramento and Phoenix, and the hope is that some depth pieces will emerge, alongside the potential signing of Al Horford. While there’s upside, especially with Brandin Podziemski possibly stepping up offensively, I worry about the older players’ durability over a full season. As Curry ages, how much more can we expect from him and Draymond Green? The Warriors seem more playoff-oriented, but they depend heavily on their veterans.
Indiana Pacers
This situation is seemingly clear yet sad. Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles derailed what looked like a promising season. The Pacers might be in for a rough patch akin to the Celtics. With some missing key players, I’m doubtful this is a playoff team. By letting Miles Turner walk, they kept flexibility in building around Halliburton for his return. It’s unfortunate that this season might be wasted, particularly for the young talents like Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard. However, they do have some intriguing prospects, with Jarace Walker and Ben Mathurin bringing potential. If they can come into their own, the Pacers might be more competitive when Halliburton comes back. Still, I have concerns about their long-term center situation—Huff, Jackson, and Walker can fill in, but an upgrade might be necessary. They likely find themselves back in the lottery this year, which, in the grand scheme, might not be a terrible thing.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings aren’t necessarily in a hurry with their star lineup, including Domantas Sabonis, Zach Lavine, and DeMar DeRozan, but their path to the playoffs seems unclear. They achieved a decent 40 wins last season, but looking at the competition, they’re still behind teams like the Spurs, Mavericks, and Grizzlies. The Trail Blazers probably think they can outperform Sacramento too. Personally, I can see where they’re coming from. The Kings’ defensive strategies are questionable, and they still lack a proven point guard. Doug Christie is still untested as a head coach. Sacramento might be eyeing a deal for Kuminga, but I’m skeptical about his long-term potential. Given their past struggles, the last thing the Kings want is to go through another tanking phase. It all seems a bit grim for their prospects in the Western Conference.
