NBA teams that added star players in the offseason will challenge for the championship in the 2026-27 season.
The NBA season opens Oct. 20 in the United States and begins a long 82-game regular-season schedule for each team.
Several players capable of changing the championship picture joined new teams in the offseason, leading to expectations of greater parity across the league.
LeBron James, born in 1984 and still playing at a high level as the NBA's oldest active player, left the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as the "Greek Freak," moved from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat.
Jaylen Brown, a key member of the Boston Celtics' 2024 championship team, joined Philadelphia, while Kawhi Leonard moved from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors.
With several other key players also changing teams, predicting the 2026-27 NBA champion has become more difficult.
The NBA Cup will again be held during the regular season.
Teams are divided into six groups of five within their respective conferences. The six group winners and two wild-card teams with the best records advance to the quarterfinals.
Beginning with the quarterfinals, the tournament is decided through single-elimination games.
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia is regarded as one of the strongest championship contenders after adding James and Brown, who helped Boston win the 2024 title.
If they develop chemistry with returning stars Joel Embiid, one of the league's top centers, and young guard Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers could emerge as a leading title contender.
However, there are also concerns that putting five offense-oriented starters on the floor together could create problems if their roles are not clearly defined.
Miami also reshaped the Eastern Conference race by adding Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson.
With Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo anchoring the interior and Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. providing perimeter shooting, Miami has enough talent to contend for the championship.
Defending champion New York retained most of the core that won last season's title.
Led offensively by Jalen Brunson, a 188-centimeter guard, the Knicks' greatest strength is their team-oriented style rather than reliance on individual talent.
New York opens the season at home against Philadelphia at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 20.
The Detroit Pistons, who finished first in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings last season, are also expected to remain among the conference's strongest teams.
After a lengthy rebuilding process, Detroit will challenge for the title behind 198-centimeter point guard Cade Cunningham and talented young players including Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
Western Conference
The San Antonio Spurs, picked as the top championship favorite in a survey of NBA general managers, have built their team around Victor Wembanyama and a young core.
San Antonio reached the NBA Finals last season before losing to New York, demonstrating its considerable potential.
Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell, who played key roles during last season's Finals run, will join Wembanyama in another title bid.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are considered one of San Antonio's main challengers.
Gilgeous-Alexander remains one of the NBA's top guards, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren return as key players.
Shooting guard Cason Wallace and Isaiah Hartenstein are expected to take on starting roles this season.
One key question is whether Williams can stay healthy and ease Gilgeous-Alexander's offensive burden.
Williams was limited by injury to only two games in last season's Western Conference finals against San Antonio, which was cited as one reason Oklahoma City lost the series.
With James gone to Philadelphia, the Lakers have become Luka Doncic's team.
Doncic was unable to perform at his best last season because of a hamstring injury and will look to rebound this year.
At Doncic's strong request, the Lakers acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz to strengthen their interior.
Versatile guard Austin Reaves has also developed into a core player, giving the Lakers a different look from last season.
San Antonio, Oklahoma City and the Lakers are expected to compete for supremacy in the West, but the Phoenix Suns also have a strong roster.
Phoenix has considerable scoring power in Devin Booker and Jalen Green and added Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets to improve the size and scoring of its forward group.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are another potential dark horse.
Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball from Charlotte to pair with Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves also have four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Other teams to watch include the Denver Nuggets, led by star big man Nikola Jokic, and the Houston Rockets, led by Kevin Durant.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)