NBA Team Tier List – 2025-26 Season

With the offseason nearly wrapped up and preseason storylines behind us, it’s time to take a clear look at how every NBA team stacks up heading into the new season. Between blockbuster trades, surprise rookie performances, and shifting power dynamics, the 2025–26 campaign is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in years.

The reigning champions in Oklahoma City remain the team to beat, but new contenders like Houston and Cleveland are closing in fast. Meanwhile, several veteran squads such as the Lakers’ Doncic–LeBron duo or the Bucks’ aging core are entering make-or-break territory.

This tier list isn’t just about hype. It’s about real balance, depth, and how these teams project over an 82-game grind. From title favorites to rebuilding hopefuls, here’s how the NBA landscape looks before Opening Night.

NBA Teams Tier List

S-Tier: Legit title contenders / best rosters

• Oklahoma City Thunder : Repeat favorites after the title, continuity and elite roster construction make them the team to beat.
• Cleveland Cavaliers : East leaders in the offseason rankings; elite offense and a deep rotation keep them near the top.
• Denver Nuggets : Still a top West threat with experience, and they added role pieces to stay dangerous.
• Houston Rockets : Big jump to contender status after adding Kevin Durant in the offseason. The team has to click, but the potential is definitely there.

A-Tier: Strong contenders; fringe title dark horses

• New York Knicks : One of the top Eastern teams returning with a strong core; expected to compete at the top of the East.
• Los Angeles Lakers : Veteran talent and star power keep them in contention if the team stays healthy. The Doncic - James pair still needs to click for the Lakers to join the top tier teams.
• Golden State Warriors : Championship culture and shooting still matter in the league, but they still need some signings to have a full roster.
• Milwaukee Bucks : The team needs to win now due to its aging roster. Could be the last season to make a big push, so expect them to take some risks.
• Boston Celtics : Top-level talent, but injury questions or rotation changes create lots of variance.
• LA Clippers : Veteran squad with talent to make a deep run if healthy and cohesive. Finding the perfect rotation will be key to stay consistent on the long run.
• Minnesota Timberwolves : Star quality is there, but depth, defense and winning the contest matches will determine their ceiling.

B-Tier: Playoff teams / good but with clearer flaws

• Orlando Magic : Young, improved, and trending up. There is playoff potential but not guaranteed deep run.
• Philadelphia 76ers : Talent and upside exist, but health could make them boom or bust.
• Memphis Grizzlies : Competitive, physical team. They need to win against top tier team to be taken seriously.
• Dallas Mavericks : They might still make a good run depending on coaching and chemistry, but betting on them to be near top-tier favorites is risky.
• Detroit Pistons : Young team with great progression last season. Could be a playoff threat if they keep improving.

C-Tier: Bubble teams / inconsistent floors

• Toronto Raptors : Good organization, but this group probably sits around the playoff bubble.
• Atlanta Hawks : Improvements possible, Hawks especially need defensive consistency and depth upgrades. Lots of additions and departures make the team difficult to properly gauge.
• Miami Heat : Coaching and culture help, but the Heat struggles whenever they play a top ranked team.
• Chicago Bulls : Talent remains, but consistency and fewer injury setbacks are required for a strong season.
• Sacramento Kings : Offense is promising, but defense and playoff experience are lacking, on top of a weird rookie players management.
• Indiana Pacers : More likely to be a development year than a deep playoffs run with Haliburton out. A solid team, but they have to prove they can play without their star.
• Portland Trail Blazers : Combines clear upsides and limitations. They’ve added star power, but injuries and roster work leave them closer to the bubble than true contention.
• San Antonio Spurs : They showed good promises last year, but it was too soon for a playoff run. This year could be it if the core line-up stays healthy.
• New Orleans Pelicans : Young team with good upsides, but they need a lot more consistency to be considered a threat.
• Phoenix Suns : With Kevin Durant now in Houston, the Suns have to prove they can play without him. Last year's record with Durant not on the floor is 3-17.

D-Tier: Rebuilding / long-term projects or teams with big questions

• Washington Wizards : Last year was all about the rookies getting a lot of playing time. One needs to step up for the Wizards to be taken seriously.
• Charlotte Hornets : Lots of key additions, but needs to end the long playoff drought to exit the bottom tier.
• Brooklyn Nets : Depending on roster moves, they could move up with a big signing. Otherwise likely rebuilding or retooling this year.
• Utah Jazz : In a transitional period. There is upside for the future, but not an immediate contender.