7 NBA teams out of excuses for next season
When I wrote about the NBA teams with the most to prove last summer, the first entry on the list was the New York Knicks. The Knicks had just fired Tom Thibodeau coming off a conference finals appearance, and they struck out on numerous head coaching candidates to replace him before settling on Mike Brown. […]
The NBA landscape for the upcoming 2026-27 season appears wide open, with eight consecutive unique champions in recent years. Teams have various levels of pressure heading into the new season. The Philadelphia 76ers, in particular, face significant expectations. Despite injuries affecting Joel Embiid and changes in the roster, the Sixers traded for Jaylen Brown, signed LeBron James, and added depth pieces.
However, their championship window may be short-lived due to concerns about Embiid's durability and LeBron's age. The Celtics' decision to trade Jaylen Brown appears to have paid off, as they aim to prove the trade was worth it. They have a strong regular season with Tatum, Robinson, and George contributing, and could potentially secure the top seed in the East.
Meanwhile, the Lakers face immense pressure as they evaluate Luka Doncic's long-term future in Los Angeles. Rob Pelinka made a bold move by trading for Walker Kessler, a young rim protector, despite the financial implications. With a talented core, the Lakers aim to win a championship and solidify Doncic's long-term future in the franchise.
Written by urgent.news from SB Nation's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
