The NBA regular season is set to tip off on Tues, Oct. 21 in Oklahoma as the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets.
Teams That Added Talent
The NBA’s talent has never been more abundant with several teams ready to compete to be the best of the best.
In the offseason, teams such as the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs bolstered their teams with new talent that is sure to make them contenders. The Rockets acquired former MVP Kevin Durant in a massive seven-team trade that shook up the landscape of the Western Conference. Klay Thompson signed with the Dallas Mavericks adding to their roster full of veterans.
Draft Recap
The league also added new talent through the draft. The Mavericks added Cooper Flagg, the most sought-after prospect in the draft, to an already loaded roster. Flagg played for Duke University and was drafted number 1 overall, after his freshman season in college. Some other top newcomers to look out for are Spurs guard Dylan Harper, Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and Utah Jazz’s forward Ace Bailey.
“I think the Mavericks were really lucky to get Cooper Flagg,” sophomore James Mahanna said. “I believe this will be a great new era for the Mavericks.”
NBA Award Picks
The NBA has returning superstars ready to fight for MVP. The NBA’s top scorers last season were Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander with 32.7 points per game (PPG), Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.4 PPG) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (29.6 PPG).
Last season’s MVP was Gilgeous-Alexander, and he is projected to win again in 2025-2026. Last year the defensive player of the year award went to Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley. Last season Mobley averaged 1.6 blocks per game and seven defensive rebounds per game. This year the favorite for the award is San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembenyama. Last season Spurs guard Stephon Castle won Rookie of the Year, and this season’s favorite to win is Cooper Flagg.
Offseason Winners and Losers
This offseason the biggest winner was without a doubt the Houston Rockets. The team added Kevin Durant and forward Dorian-Finney-Smith. They also resigned key players like forward Jabari Smith Jr. and Point Guard Fred VanVleet.
The biggest losers of the offseason were the Indiana Pacers. Coming off a playoff run to the NBA finals, the Pacers were looking to have a great offseason, but it seems like they fell short of their goals. After a stellar NBA finals performance, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton unfortunately tore his right achilles tendon and will miss the entire 2025-2026 season. This is a huge blow for the Pacers as Haliburton was their top assister and starting point guard. The Pacers also lost playoff standout center Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The Rockets got Kevin Durant and got new pieces like Clint Capela and Dorian Finney Smith and resigned Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr.,” freshman Anish Tuli said. “That makes them probably a top five team, and they’ll make a push in the West.”
Must-Watch Matchups
Starting the regular season off is a must-watch game between the Thunder and Rockets. This is one to look forward to as it is between two playoff teams from last season and is Kevin Durant’s debut as a Rocket.
Another game to watch will be between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 24. This game is one to watch because Luka Doncic was traded from Dallas to Los Angeles and will play another game against his former team in Dallas.
Who Will Be the League’s Best Team?
Last season’s best team was the Thunder, as they were top of the Western Conference and won the Championship, but other teams also showed their talent like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves. But the Thunder are still on pace to be the best team this season, since they have arguably the best young talent in the league, and their head coach Mark Daigneault is a former coach of the year.
“The best team in the league is probably the Thunder because they really didn’t change much of their playoff contending team,” freshman Persio Pippis said. “Second would probably be the Knicks or Lakers,”
There is a lot to look forward to this NBA season. Whether viewers are a fan of a particular team, or just like watching the sport of basketball, this season is going to be one for the history books. All the world’s questions and speculation in the offseason will be answered in just a matter of weeks. Now more than ever, the NBA displays top talent, excitement and drama, which makes it the perfect time for new fans to tune in and experience the thrill of the NBA.
