TITLE: Carlos Delfino Ends Playing Career; Latest Positional Rankings and 2025-26 NBA Storylines
SLUG: delfino-retires-positional-rankings-2025-26-storylines
CONTENT:
Former NBA forward Carlos Delfino has officially retired from professional basketball. The 43-year-old made the announcement during this week’s “Doble Doble” podcast.
Delfino, selected 25th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, appeared in 507 regular-season games with the Pistons, Raptors, Bucks, and Rockets between 2004-08 and 2009-14, averaging 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 22.8 minutes. After injuries halted his NBA stint, the Argentinian wing returned to Europe in 2017 and continued playing overseas. Internationally, he captured Olympic gold in 2004 and bronze in 2008 with Argentina.
Positional depth chart rankings
Law Murray of The Athletic evaluated all 30 NBA rosters and placed these clubs atop each position:
- Point guard: Thunder — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Cason Wallace
- Shooting guard: Timberwolves — Anthony Edwards; Terrence Shannon Jr.
- Small forward: Rockets — Kevin Durant; Tari Eason
- Power forward: Bucks — Giannis Antetokounmpo; Bobby Portis
- Center: Nuggets — Nikola Jokić; Jonas Valančiūnas
Top storylines to watch in 2025-26
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix outlined several questions for the upcoming season, including:
- Whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will finish the year in Milwaukee;
- The impact of Desmond Bane on an improving Orlando Magic roster;
- If renewed discussion about playoff reseeding gains traction amid the Western Conference’s depth.
New international league update
An international basketball league targeting a 2026 launch is moving forward, though Maverick Carter—business partner of LeBron James—has exited the project, report Ben Horney and Daniel Roberts of Front Office Sports. Investors now include tennis star Novak Djokovic and former WNBA standout Candace Parker.
Eastern Conference projections
John Hollinger of The Athletic projects a crowded bottom half in the East for 2025-26:
- 10th: 76ers — 37 wins
- 11th: Celtics — 36 wins
- 12th: Pacers — 31 wins
Hollinger notes Philadelphia could experience the widest swing in outcomes of any NBA team.
Source: Hoops Rumors
