Spurs, Hawks Top List of Expected 2025-26 NBA Turnarounds
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The 2025-26 NBA season is less than two months away, and ESPN’s Summer Forecast panel has released its annual projections, spotlighting possible surges, slumps and story lines.
Projected Team Turnarounds
A tie at the top suggests two franchises are poised for major improvement. The San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks each collected 55 points in the panel’s voting system, which awards five points for a first-place vote, three for second and one for third.
San Antonio is banking on consecutive Rookie of the Year winners Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the arrival of No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper and the veteran presence of Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk to end a six-year playoff drought. Atlanta earned equal optimism after adding Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a roster led by Trae Young.
The Philadelphia 76ers (49 points) and Orlando Magic (48) follow closely, while the Minnesota Timberwolves (6) and Houston Rockets (5) round out the list.
Teams Facing Turbulence
The Milwaukee Bucks, with 41 points, are viewed as the most vulnerable. Despite signing Myles Turner, Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard and stretched the remaining $110 million on his contract, leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo without a proven co-star.
The Los Angeles Lakers placed second (32 points), and the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns shared third (28 each). Philadelphia (25) and the injury-hit Indiana Pacers (19) also appear on the watch list.
Next Star Expected to Seek a Trade
Voters largely pointed to New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, who received 10 of 25 votes. Antetokounmpo followed with seven, while LeBron James drew six. Ja Morant and Trae Young garnered one vote apiece.
Most Significant Eastern Conference Injury
Boston’s Jayson Tatum dominated this category with 20 votes. His Achilles injury has already prompted the Celtics to move Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday and could keep the team from contending this year. Tyrese Haliburton (5 votes) and Joel Embiid (1) completed the trio.
Will the League Crown an Eighth Straight New Champion?
The panel narrowly predicts continued parity: 15 votes for “Yes,” 11 for “No.” The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder return their entire roster, but respondents still lean toward another first-time winner.
Top Candidates for a Deadline Shake-Up
The Golden State Warriors received seven votes, leading the projection for the most active team before the trade cutoff. The Lakers earned five, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans tied at three. The 76ers (two) and Memphis Grizzlies (one) also made the list.
Source: ESPN
