(Photo by Instagram)

BOSTON CELTICS

This is what the C's did in the playoffs, and they shipped off Jaylen Brown to a division rival for what's left of PG13. Many think this season is the downfall of the leprechaun crew, but don't count them out that easily.

BROOKLYN NETS

It's year two to see what can stick to the wall. They acquired Julius Randle for some veteran presence, but I believe that it's another two years away to when we can figure out who they are. 2026-2027 is another mystery chapter of this rebuild.

Okay, I hardly ever do this in my previews, but this is special. So, drumroll please.....

Ladies and gentlemen, YOUR NBA CHAMPION NEW YORK KNICKS

(Photo by the New Yorker)

After getting a 53-year monkey off their back, the defending champion Knicks waltz into this season on a high note. Do they have the momentum to repeat and have the nation go into a frenzy again?

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

The Process isn't dead? They traded for Jaylen Brown and signed this LeBron James fellow to bring the Process into a temporary resurrection. Can the 76ers withstand fierce Eastern Conference competition to reach the completion of the Process?

TORONTO RAPTORS

The Raps decided to overachieve and made a strong showing in the playoffs. Then, they decided to go back to 2019 and bring in the cat who steered them to the championship in Kawhi Leonard. Could history repeat itself?

CHICAGO BULLS

Like GarPax, AKME failed to bring the Bulls any type of success. Now, it's up to new coach Tiago Splitter? and new GM Stephen Mervis to steer the Bulls to greener pastures. Something tells me this will take a while.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

After getting swept by the Knicks, the Cavs have their priorities in order and think they can be the top team in the East. Extending Spida, the Beard and trading for Peyton Watson makes sure on paper they are the top team......hopefully.

DETROIT PISTONS

From 14 wins to 60 wins in two years is (bleep)ing remarkable. Can JB Bickerstaff and new face of the league, Cade Cunningham deliver again this season? Also, will the Pistons cave in to Jalen Duren's outrageous demands for a contract? Update: He signed the contract.

INDIANA PACERS

From NBA Finals to blah! in one year flat. Also, their high draft pick went to the LA Clippers since they loved Ivica Zubac a lot. Ty Haliburton is coming back from an Achilles injury, but will he be the same player that took them to the Finals?

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

It finally happened, Giannis is no longer in the Cream City. This roster is a mish-mash of whatever. It could be a trying season for the Bucks. Also, hometown kid Tyler Herro is having the summer of discontent.

ATLANTA HAWKS

The Hawks made some moves to hopefully get out of the middle, and they finally have a full season without Trae Young. I see potential in this Hawks team with Jalen Johnson and NAW. Will they be able to crawl out of that middle?

CHARLOTTE HORNETS

The Hornets showed improvement last season, then they traded Miles Bridges and Melo. Now, this is Kon Kneuppel and Brandon Miller's squad. Can they continue that improvement despite the absence of Melo and Bridges?

MIAMI HEAT

The Heat didn't do much last season except produce Mr. 83 in Bam Adebayo and trade for the GREEK FREAK! Giannis Antetokounmpo! Does that mean that Miami is a title contender or will the lack of depth hold them back?

ORLANDO MAGIC (Cue the 80's theme music)

After blowing a 3-1 lead to the Pistons (no meme), the Magic decided to part ways with Jahmal Mosley for Sean Sweeney...

(Photo by Ms. Magazine)

No, no, no, I said SEAN Sweeney. Will he be able to unlock the potential from this squad. Great, now I have that song in my head.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

This team has Trae Young, Anthony Davis and #1 overall pick in AJ Dybantsa. It's an interesting dynamic that can produce something. Will it be wins? Or will it be more of the same melancholy and malaise that we have seen from the D.C. Basketball Crew.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

The Mavs have a new basketball czar in Masai Ujiri and head coach Dusty May, who is fresh off a National Championship at Michigan. Hopefully, this will get the Cooper Flagg era off to a rousing start. If not, they don't have a Nico Harrison to blame. Harsh, I know.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

(Yes, they brought back the old mustard and ketchup color scheme.)

(Photo by USA Today)

Houston has the ammunition to go far in the playoffs. Amen Thompson is extended and Alperen Sengun has high hopes for himself. Can KD and a hopefully fully recovered FVV use their veteran leadership to steer the Rockets to the promised land?

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The rebuild is officially on as Memphis traded Ja Morant for....basically nothing. They have a starting point in first-round pick Cam BOOZER and the plethora of picks garnered by trades. The first year might be painful but we been surprised before.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

People forget that the Pels were in the playoff conversion two seasons ago. However, that ship has sailed and everyone has given up on Zion staying healthy. New coach Jahmal Mosley has his work cut out for him.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Chalk up last season as a learning experience. They made the Finals but could have secured the title. Now, hopefully for their sakes, they come into this season hungry. Wemby and crew are primed to win that elusive championship in 26-27.

DENVER NUGGETS

The tide is turning in the Mile High City. How long till Jamal Murray and the Joker go to other places and the rebuild begins? For now, the Nuggets are still playoff contenders, but not title contenders.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

This team could be the recipient for the Western Conference in the Finals. Trading for Melo and signing Jonathan Kuminga gives the Wolves extra firepower to help Ant and Rudy Gobert. The Pack could be howling to an NBA CHAMPIONSHIP this year. (That was lame.)

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Game 7 of the WCF was a bitter end to a fine season, but with two-time MVP SGA, a hopefully tougher Chet Holmgren and hopefully a healthier Jalen Williams, OKC can reclaim their spot as the kings of the NBA.

PORTLAND (FOR NOW) TRAILBLAZERS

After their playoff appearance and the trade for Ja Morant, the Blazers and their fans should be gleeful, however, new owner Tom Dundon has slashed everything so he can supposedly relocate the team. The mood is very solemn.

Also, how does one man piss off a lot of people in one summer?

UTAH JAZZ

Is this the year where they stop tanking? They have Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, Keyonte George, Triple J and Lauri. Surely, this will be the season the Jazz will spread their wings and fly, right?

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

So, they are going to keep the core around for one last shebang. Steph is extended, Jimmy is hopefully healthy and Draymond is hopefully sane. The Warriors hope 26-27 is the final golden send-off that ends in a Larry O'Brien trophy.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

The Clippers are (bleep)ed. After the NBA did an investigation, Adam Silver laid the hammer down and stripped the team of five first-round picks and told Steve Ballmer to take a hike for a year. The continuous flow of despair is ongoing for the Clippers.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

It's Luka's team now, and he's got his big man in Walker Kessler. The Lakers brought in a slew of free agents that could help the depth. Could this season elevate them into title contention?

PHOENIX SUNS

Put a pin on the apology for now, also...

Anyways, the Suns surprised the basketball world by making the playoffs. The trade of Miles Bridges could help, sort of. With renewed optimism, Phoenix could surprise people again with a further playoff run. #1 will take them there. Sorry, #15.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Rock bottom, this is where the Kings are. Drafting Darius Acuff Jr. helps but don't get it twisted, when your big free agent signing this off-season is Ben Simmons, there isn't much to write home about. Getting over 30 wins is the goal this season.

So, there is the 26-27 NBA preview coming at you. Hopefully, the league can tone down the three-point shots and focus on higher percentage points. Eeh, who am I kidding?

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