The NBA schedule is set, training camps open in a little over a month, and all 30 clubs are beginning to focus on what could swing their fortunes in 2025-26. Below is one decisive statistic for every franchise and why it matters heading into the new campaign.
Atlanta Hawks – 10 and 5
Forward Jalen Johnson logged only 36 games last year, yet averaged 10 rebounds and five assists. The only other players to reach both marks were Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Domantas Sabonis. If Johnson stays healthy, Atlanta’s hopes of another deep playoff run improve dramatically.
Boston Celtics – 99.5%
During last postseason, 99.5 percent of the club’s meaningful center minutes went to Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis and Luke Kornet. All three have departed, leaving Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman to fill the gap while Jayson Tatum recovers from an Achilles tear.
Brooklyn Nets – 3
Six Nets averaged at least three minutes of ball-handling time last season; five are gone. With newcomers and five first-round rookies in tow, heavy usage should fall to Cam Thomas if he returns, while Michael Porter Jr. supplies shooting rather than creation.
Charlotte Hornets – 35.9%
LaMelo Ball posted a league-leading 35.9 percent usage rate—23rd highest ever—but his player efficiency rating was the worst recorded for anyone above 35 percent usage. Combined with frequent injuries, his star status is under scrutiny.
Chicago Bulls – 164
Chicago’s record since adding DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso sits at an even 164-164. Despite roster turnover, no clear rebuild is underway, suggesting another .500 season.
Cleveland Cavaliers – 42%
The Cavs are 163-83 (66 percent) in the regular season with Donovan Mitchell, yet only 11-15 (42 percent) in the playoffs, dropping each series in five games. Regular-season success now means little until spring results change.
Dallas Mavericks – 5
Only five teenagers have ever started regularly on a playoff team’s perimeter. Dallas needs 18-year-old top pick Cooper Flagg to join that group while Kyrie Irving rehabs a torn ACL.
Denver Nuggets – 7
Nikola Jokić is already seventh all-time in MVP award shares after three wins and two runner-up finishes in five years. Another top-two finish would push him past Bill Russell and Magic Johnson.
Detroit Pistons – 2
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren shared the floor for just two games and five minutes. Detroit still must learn how its youthful core fits together.
Golden State Warriors – 47%
Post-deadline, Golden State’s offense with Jimmy Butler III on court and Stephen Curry resting scored 113.9 points per 100 possessions—47th percentile—and paired that with elite defense, a key to the team’s 23-8 finish.
Houston Rockets – 1.21
Houston averaged 0.91 points per isolation, near the bottom of the league. Kevin Durant, who led the NBA at 1.21 points per iso, arrives to fix that late-game weakness.
Indiana Pacers – 13.6
Bennedict Mathurin’s PER has hovered around 13 for three straight seasons, finishing at 13.6. Indiana needs noticeable growth while Tyrese Haliburton rehabs a torn Achilles.
LA Clippers – 14.5
The Clippers were 14.5 points per 100 possessions better with Ivica Zubac on the floor. Off-season additions Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and John Collins aim to steady minutes without the starters.
Los Angeles Lakers – 4.4
LeBron James and Luka Dončić ran only 4.4 pick-and-rolls per 100 possessions in the regular season. That number doubled in the playoffs and produced over 1.2 points per play, suggesting an untapped primary action.
Memphis Grizzlies – 30.5%
Ja Morant has shot 30.5 percent from three over the past three years, the lowest among point guards with at least 500 attempts. Improvement is essential for Memphis to contend after trading Desmond Bane.
Miami Heat – 56%
Bam Adebayo’s true-shooting percentage declined to 56 percent, his fourth straight drop. Miami needs a bounce-back season inside to complement new scorer Norman Powell.
Milwaukee Bucks – 1
Since winning the 2021 title, Milwaukee has captured only one playoff series, exiting in either the first or second round each of the past four seasons, fueling costly roster bets this summer.
Minnesota Timberwolves – 21
The last 21 champions featured a player who was first-team All-NBA either that year or recently. Anthony Edwards finished sixth in voting last season; joining the top five could put Minnesota over the hump.
New Orleans Pelicans – 2018
The Pelicans have not placed in the West’s top six since 2018. Given Zion Williamson’s health history and Dejounte Murray’s Achilles injury, surpassing that mark remains an uphill climb.
New York Knicks – 940
New York’s starting five logged 940 regular-season minutes, most in the league, but managed only a plus-3.2 net rating and fell to minus-6.2 in the playoffs. Improved efficiency, not just reduced minutes, is required under new coach Mike Brown.
Oklahoma City Thunder – 99.2%
Players responsible for 99.2 percent of the Thunder’s 2025 playoff minutes are back. Only rookie Dillon Jones departed, leaving the defending champions virtually intact for a repeat bid.
Orlando Magic – 2012
Orlando has not finished above league-average in offensive efficiency since 2012. Desmond Bane’s arrival alongside Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero is designed to end that drought.
Philadelphia 76ers – 58
Joel Embiid has appeared in only 58 regular-season games over two years. Whether he can stay on the court determines whether Philadelphia is a contender or a question mark.
Phoenix Suns – 2032
Phoenix does not fully control its own first-round pick again until 2032, six years away, limiting any realistic tanking strategy even as the team projects outside the West’s top 10.
Portland Trail Blazers – 16%
Portland turned the ball over on 16 percent of possessions last season, 29th in the NBA. Losing Anfernee Simons and potentially Damian Lillard puts ball security pressure on sophomore guard Scoot Henderson, who already ranked 29th of 30 high-usage point guards in turnover rate.
Sacramento Kings – 120.9
The trio of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine allowed 120.9 points per 100 possessions in over 1,000 shared possessions, ranking in the 11th percentile. Defensive improvement is critical to revive Sacramento’s competitive window.
San Antonio Spurs – 30.4%
The guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper combined to shoot 30.4 percent from three last season (including Harper’s college numbers). Continued poor spacing would complicate building around Victor Wembanyama.
Toronto Raptors – $1.1 million
Toronto projects to finish $1.1 million over the first luxury-tax apron. Unlike other big-spending teams, the Raptors have missed the playoffs three straight years, so rapid cohesion is essential to justify the cost.
Utah Jazz – 23
Only four of 11 Jazz players who logged at least 800 minutes last season were older than 23, and three of those veterans were traded. The youth movement accelerates while Lauri Markkanen, now 28, remains the lone elder statesman.
Washington Wizards – 64
Washington has lost 64 or more games in each of the past two seasons—15-67 in 2023-24 and 18-64 in 2024-25. Heavy reliance on young talent makes a quick turnaround unlikely in year three of the rebuild.
The 2025-26 storylines are varied, but every team has a single number that could push them toward success—or doom them to disappointment—once the season tips off.
Source: ESPN
