TITLE: Ten People Poised to Shape the 2025-26 NBA Season
SLUG: ten-people-poised-to-shape-2025-26-nba-season
CONTENT:
Less than three weeks before opening night, the NBA preseason tipped off in Abu Dhabi with the New York Knicks facing the Philadelphia 76ers. An offseason heavy on trades, coaching changes and injuries has created a short list of individuals whose performances, decisions or circumstances are expected to drive the story lines of the 2025-26 campaign.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Orlando’s front office declared the rebuilding phase over when it sent multiple future picks to Memphis for guard Desmond Bane. The organization’s ceiling, however, still depends on Banchero, who signed a five-year, $239 million extension. The 23-year-old forward owns career shooting marks of 32% from three and just over 50% true shooting. If his production rises, the Magic could reach their first conference finals since 2010 in an Eastern Conference thinned by injuries to Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Boston’s Jayson Tatum.
Mike Brown, New York Knicks
Brown replaced Tom Thibodeau after New York’s deepest playoff run in 25 years. The Knicks’ fan base expects nothing short of a Finals berth in a wide-open East. Brown has navigated pressure before with LeBron James in Cleveland and a stint in Los Angeles, but this roster—and the expectations attached—provide a new level of scrutiny.
A.J. Dybantsa, BYU Cougars
Dybantsa joins Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Nate Ament atop projections for the 2026 NBA draft. Lottery-focused clubs such as Washington, Brooklyn and Utah are likely to monitor his freshman season closely, while teams owing protected picks—New Orleans, Phoenix and Philadelphia—must keep an eye on the standings to avoid conveying valuable selections.
De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio paired Fox with Victor Wembanyama at February’s trade deadline, then rewarded the guard with a max extension in August. The Spurs also added No. 2 pick Dylan Harper to a core that includes reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Consistent perimeter shooting among the trio remains a concern, but Fox’s fit alongside Wembanyama will determine whether the club can climb the Western ladder.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Entering his 23rd season, James is no longer the Lakers’ primary building block after Luka Doncic inked a three-year extension. Agent Rich Paul raised questions about James’ long-term plans in June, and those questions will intensify if Los Angeles struggles ahead of the February trade deadline.
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
The league’s investigation into a former Clippers sponsorship with Aspiration and possible salary-cap circumvention continues. On the floor, Leonard, now 34, seeks a healthy season to turn a veteran-laden roster into a Western Conference contender.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee waived and stretched Damian Lillard’s contract to acquire center Myles Turner, hoping to convince Antetokounmpo to stay beyond his current deal, which expires in two years. The forward, speaking via videoconference while recovering from COVID-19, acknowledged contemplating his future after three consecutive first-round exits. Coach Doc Rivers plans to keep the ball in Antetokounmpo’s hands, a formula that produced career-high numbers late last season.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
Silver’s ruling on the Clippers’ investigation could become a defining moment of his 12th year in office. Simultaneously, he is promoting parallel expansion plans: adding franchises domestically—Seattle and Las Vegas lead the list—and launching a league in Europe to rival EuroLeague.
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
A torn ACL will sideline Fred VanVleet for the year, thrusting Thompson into the starting point-guard role. The 2023 No. 4 pick will orchestrate an offense featuring Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Houston expects to contend in the West, and Thompson’s development could place him in All-Star and Most Improved Player conversations.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
With a new front-office leader in Onsi Saleh and a retooled roster, Atlanta faces its most anticipated season in years. Young is eligible for a new contract but has yet to secure a maximum-level offer under the current collective bargaining agreement. His performance and the Hawks’ results will shape both sides’ bargaining positions before he can reach free agency next summer.
The impact of these ten figures—on the court, in front offices and at league headquarters—is set to steer trade chatter, free-agency moves and postseason races across the NBA’s 79th season.
Source: ESPN
