The NBA calendar has flipped past Game 41 for every club, giving coaches, scouts and executives enough evidence to judge the first half of the 2025-26 campaign. From surprising contenders in Detroit to headline-grabbing trade rumors in Milwaukee and Los Angeles, here is what league insiders say each team has learned so far. All statistics are current through Wednesday’s schedule.
Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks
Trading Trae Young to Washington did not solve Atlanta’s problems; without the injured guard, the offense ranks 25th.
Boston Celtics
With Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford gone, 26-year-old Neemias Queta has stabilized the middle. Boston is 5.4 points per 100 possessions better when he plays, and the defense in those minutes would be second league-wide.
Brooklyn Nets
Michael Porter Jr. has retained his scoring efficiency in a No. 1 role, turning the forward into a desirable trade chip as the Feb. 5 deadline nears.
Charlotte Hornets
Polarizing star LaMelo Ball is proving his worth: Charlotte is more than six points per 100 possessions stronger with him on the floor, and the offense would rate third in the league during his minutes.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago—on pace for a fourth straight sub-.500 finish—still has not committed to either a rebuild or a playoff push. The futures of soon-to-be free-agent guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are in focus.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Darius Garland’s form is pivotal. Cleveland’s offense is over eight points per 100 possessions worse when the All-Star guard plays compared with last season’s top-ranked unit.
Detroit Pistons
Sitting 11th in offense, second in defense and tied for second in net rating, Detroit has entered the contender conversation earlier than expected, though front-office signals suggest patience at the deadline.
Indiana Pacers
A lost year without Tyrese Haliburton positions Indiana for a premium draft pick, but sources say the club could also seek immediate help before the deadline.
Miami Heat
A free-flowing offensive revamp has fizzled to 20th in efficiency. Injuries to Tyler Herro and the absence of a floor-raising scorer have been glaring despite Norman Powell’s 23.7 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee sits outside the play-in mix and owns limited trade assets. One Eastern Conference executive believes the franchise should consider tanking for a top draft pick.
New York Knicks
Defense is the concern. Before routing Brooklyn on Wednesday, New York ranked 26th in defensive efficiency in the new calendar year and recently held a players-only meeting.
Orlando Magic
The Magic continue to post better numbers when Paolo Banchero rests. Orlando is nearly five points per 100 possessions stronger without the 2022 No. 1 pick, whose three-point rate has dipped to 26.9%.
Philadelphia 76ers
Rookie VJ Edgecombe is already a difference-maker: Philadelphia is 4.6 points per 100 possessions better when he plays, and he is converting 37.4% of nearly six three-point attempts per game.
Toronto Raptors
Ninth overall pick Collin Murray-Boyles has filled in for Jakob Poeltl and improved the defense by more than four points per 100 possessions when on the floor.
Washington Wizards
Washington owns the league’s lowest win total but finally has a plan. Trae Young is expected to debut next season, while rookies Tre Johnson (39.1% from three) and Alex Sarr develop alongside ample cap space and another likely high lottery pick.
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
Teenager Cooper Flagg has flourished since moving back to the wing, averaging 20.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists on 48% shooting—numbers matched this season only by Nikola Jokić, Jalen Johnson and Alperen Şengün.
Denver Nuggets
Peyton Watson has capitalized on Nikola Jokić’s knee injury, posting 22.1 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 41.5% from deep since Dec. 29. A rival executive projects a contract near $20 million annually for the restricted free agent.
Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler III’s torn ACL overshadowed De’Anthony Melton’s return from the same injury. Golden State is 19 points per 100 possessions better with Melton on the court, and the guard is shooting 40.8% from three this month.
Houston Rockets
Second-year guard Reed Sheppard has silenced early doubts, averaging 13 points, over 40% shooting from deep and 1.4 steals while anchoring Houston’s bench rotation.
LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard’s renaissance has been overlooked amid the club’s rocky start and an ongoing salary-cap investigation. The forward is averaging a career-best 28.2 points and a league-high 2.2 steals; since Dec. 20, he is scoring 32.7 per game during a 14-3 surge.
Los Angeles Lakers
At 25th in defensive efficiency, the Lakers’ success in close games (13-2 in clutch situations) masks larger issues. League sources expect the front office to seek perimeter defensive help before the deadline.
Memphis Grizzlies
The franchise is now willing to discuss Ja Morant trades, according to multiple reports, as the guard endures career-low shooting numbers despite occasional scoring bursts.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Rudy Gobert remains an elite anchor. Minnesota’s defense improves by 11 points per 100 possessions with the veteran center, putting him back in the Defensive Player of the Year race—especially if Victor Wembanyama misses the 65-game eligibility mark.
New Orleans Pelicans
Rookie Derik Queen is a lone bright spot, averaging 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists with two triple-doubles, even though a previous draft-night deal could cost New Orleans the 2026 No. 1 pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Defending champion Oklahoma City needs Jalen Williams healthy. The wing is shooting career lows of 47% overall and 30.3% from three after offseason wrist surgery and a recent hamstring strain.
Phoenix Suns
Dillon Brooks has brought a hard-edged identity, helping Phoenix secure an unexpected top-six spot two years after questions about his fit on a contender.
Portland Trail Blazers
Second-year center Donovan Clingan is flirting with stretch-five status. He is up to 31% on roughly three three-point attempts per game, including a 12-for-23 December.
Sacramento Kings
A year after moving De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento is adrift. Veterans on long deals and a likely top lottery pick signal a protracted rebuild.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama has drifted outside since tweaking his knee on Dec. 31, lowering his paint production while increasing mid-range and three-point attempts—an approach opponents welcome.
Utah Jazz
Keyonte George has taken a major jump, climbing from 16.8 to 24.4 points per game while improving shooting percentages across the board, even as Utah tracks a protected pick in the upcoming draft.
The trade deadline on Feb. 5—and the final 41 games—will determine which of these lessons hold and which clubs rewrite their narratives before April.
Source: ESPN
