As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, the anticipation being built amongst fans couldn’t be higher than ever. With the league forever evolving, the upcoming season looks to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Major off-season moves include Kevin Durant being traded to the Houston Rockets, Cooper Flagg being drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks, and Damian Lillard returning to the Portland Trail Blazers. Yet, with the start of the pre-season, many questions remain unanswered for fans. Some are longstanding, spanning across numerous seasons, while others have only arisen in recent weeks. These questions stem from championship contenders to players who are now seeking redemption. How will these talents shift the narrative and alter the NBA seasons in the years to come?
5. Can the Philadelphia 76ers stay healthy?
It’s safe to begin with a story that should be very familiar to all NBA fans, that is, the one of the Philadelphia 76ers. From the 2010s to now, Philadelphia has faced ongoing challenges in its attempts to be a championship contender. Throughout “The Process”, Philadelphia acquired talents such as Andrew Bynum, Ben Simmons, and James Harden to pair with star center Joel Embiid, although unfortunately, their efforts did not result in bringing a championship to the city. However, in the 2024 NBA off-season, Philadelphia made a blockbuster trade, bringing Paul George onto the team fresh off a failed stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. Expectations were high as Philadelphia was viewed as a top title contender, though it wouldn’t take long for George’s signing to go up in flames. George would quickly sustain several injuries on his left knee, left abductor muscle, finger, and groin, leaving Tyrese Maxey to carry a great portion of the load. Now with a healthy Embiid, hopefully alongside Maxey, George can bring the franchise back into title contention.
4. How will the Kawhi Leonard scandal affect the Los Angeles Clippers?
It would be difficult to discuss Paul George’s tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers without mentioning his co-star during that period, two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard, who got into some trouble of his own this summer. It came to light that the former San Antonio Spur and Toronto Raptor was mentioned in a controversy regarding an NBA salary cap circumvention connected to team owner Steve Ballmer and a company named Aspiration. It was alleged that the organization funneled money to Leonard through a $28 million endorsement to avoid the salary cap. Notably, Ballmer had been an investor in Aspiration. The NBA is currently investigating the matter; however, this could significantly affect a Los Angeles team featuring talents like Chris Paul, Ivica Zubac, and James Harden, which are in serious title conversations for the first time in over a decade. Without Leonard, the team’s elite defense could crumble, resulting in another disappointing playoff exit for the team.
3. Can Zion Williamson silence his doubters?
While the public perception of Leonard took a major hit during the summer, for the first time in a long time, the stock is on the rise for Zion Williamson. Upon entering the league, Williamson was riding a wave of momentum like no other upon being drafted first overall out of Duke in the 2019 NBA Draft. The star power forward was coming off a legendary March Madness performance and was seen as the perfect successor to Anthony Davis. Although, since his arrival, while statistically he has performed well, Williamson has not been consistent enough to bring playoff success to the New Orleans Pelicans. The team would make it in 2022, but sustained a first-round elimination from the one-seed Phoenix Suns. Two years later, they earned another playoff spot only to be ousted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, another top seed. Now nearing 2026, Williamson shocked many with his impressive weight loss in the off-season. Being surrounded by key pieces like Herb Jones and Jordan Poole, Williamson has his last shot to be the star New Orleans needs, or else a trade at the deadline could be on the horizon.
2. Are the Golden State Warriors too old?
Although the word “trade” has been a frequent topic for Zion Williamson in recent years, the same cannot be said when discussing the Golden State Warriors. Coming off a second-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, many fans were speculating on the off-season moves that could be made to extend the championship window of Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Steph Curry. Rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant returning to the team were widely speculated; however, none of this would happen. After the 2024-25 NBA season came to an end in June, the team would go silent, not making one move until four months later with the signing of Al Horford. This, alongside the team’s struggle to keep Johnathan Kuminga, has led to a disastrous off-season for the NBA’s most prestigious team. Additionally, the team has made history with the oldest starting lineup in NBA history. With the careers of their top stars winding down, the team needs to make a move now.
1. Is LeBron James going to retire?
Although many of these previously mentioned questions are intriguing, no question in the NBA has been asked more than this one. Nearing 41 years old, LeBron James is now entering his record 23rd season in the NBA. Yet, the 21-time NBA all-star has still consistently averaged over 24 points his entire career, and remains widely regarded as a top player in the league. In recent years, however, James has hinted at the idea of retirement, going so far as to say during the 2025 NBA media day that he does not plan on playing with his second son, Bryce James, who is currently a freshman at the University of Arizona. This comes after James made history in the 2024-25 NBA season, becoming the first NBA player to ever be teammates with his own son, Bronny James. Now with championship aspirations alongside star point guard Luka Dončić on the Los Angeles Lakers, James hopes to add one more title to his illustrious résumé, to fuel the lifelong debate on who the true G.O.A.T. in the NBA is. Whether he ends the season as champion or not, fans should appreciate the legendary forward while he is still playing.
