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In a seven-year span, the NBA has crowned seven champions from seven distinct franchises, showcasing an unprecedented level of parity. The Oklahoma City Thunder have recently added their name to the list of teams that have claimed the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy for a year.
If the NBA had regal custodians for its trophy similar to the NHL’s treatment of the Stanley Cup, those custodians would certainly be accumulating significant mileage.
We are witnessing the longest period in league history where champions have not been repeated, with the last such occurrence spanning from 1975 to 1980, during which teams like the Warriors, Celtics, Trail Blazers, Bullets, SuperSonics, and Lakers took turns winning the title. Similarly, between 1954 and 1958, franchises including Minneapolis, Syracuse, Philadelphia, Boston, and St. Louis shared the championship.
For the majority of the NBA’s first 70 years, those equitable title distributions were exceptions rather than the norm. The Lakers and Celtics dominated early on, securing an impressive 27 of the first 41 titles (65.6%). A decade later, including the Chicago Bulls’ two three-peats, they accounted for 33 of 51 championships (64.7%).
The long-standing success of the Spurs in San Antonio, the Warriors’ recent championships alongside their earlier titles from 1947, ’56, and ’75, as well as additional victories for both the Lakers and Celtics, boosted that statistic by 2018 to 50 of 72 titles (69.4%) for just five franchises.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver commented before the current Finals on the historical concentration of championships. “I recall when I first joined the league, [former commissioner David Stern] used to joke about how his job was to shuttle between Boston and L.A. distributing championship trophies,” Silver recounted.
While the Lakers-Celtics rivalry was remarkable—especially with the resurgence brought by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in 1979—the notion that a league’s health is tied to its competitiveness suggested a need for better balance. This ethos is reflected in the NBA Draft and the collective bargaining agreements designed to enhance competitiveness. Mechanisms like the salary cap, luxury taxes, and restrictions on trades or free agents are all intended to create a fairer playing field.
“We aimed to establish a system that promotes competition within the league,” Silver stated, “with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all 30 teams have the opportunity, if managed well, to vie for championships. That’s what we’re currently witnessing.”
Despite criticisms from coastal media about viewership and excitement when two smaller-market teams like Oklahoma City and Indiana face off in the Finals, a core truth remains: Every fan wants their team to be competitive, asserted Silver.
Will we see the emergence of new champions continue? It’s certainly plausible. Of the 16 teams that made the playoffs this year, 11 were in contention for their first title. With the Thunder already achieving this milestone, that leaves 10 teams, not counting franchises like San Antonio or Philadelphia, who are aiming for significant growth.
Having eight champions in eight years means the Thunder must at least pause what many consider an emerging dynasty. Additionally, teams like the Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, Warriors, Nuggets, and Celtics will need to wait until 2027 to claim their own championship.
Here are five contenders that could help maintain this streak of parity, along with three potential dark horses:
If not for Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury, the Pacers could have been among the top contenders for the championship next spring, regardless of parity. His contribution to their offense, confidence, and comeback capabilities is undeniable—Indiana lost the Finals by a mere 19 points, but they outperformed the Thunder by 19 points over the 210 minutes Haliburton was on the court.
This roster, nevertheless, is strong enough to make another playoff run in search of a victory. Andrew Nembhard can concentrate on his point-guard role, T.J. McConnell demonstrated his capabilities against OKC, and Bennedict Mathurin has room for skill development. Similarly, Obi Toppin and Pascal Siakam also add depth to the lineup.
In contrast to the Pacers, both the Celtics and the Bucks, the Cavaliers literally have an advantage in the East, as they are not dealing with the absence of a star player (like Haliburton, Jayson Tatum, or Damian Lillard) recovering from Achilles surgery. Their disappointing five-game exit against Indiana will drive a team that claimed 64 wins to prove they are more than a fleeting success.
The Cavaliers’ core is robust, with Evan Mobley poised for further improvement on both ends, and Donovan Mitchell stepping up as a leader and clutch performer. Darius Garland deserves a healthy season before any major decisions are made regarding him, while Jarrett Allen’s size complements Mobley, giving them a competitive edge. De’Andre Hunter will also be available from the start of the season. Additionally, the Cavs managed to defeat Oklahoma City during the regular season.
The blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant signaled the Rockets’ intentions to rapidly shift their narrative. Durant’s shooting addresses a major issue for the team, which struggled with Jalen Green’s inconsistency, making them over-reliant on Fred VanVleet during their first-round loss to Golden State.
Houston successfully acquired Durant without dismantling their key rotation players: Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., or Tari Eason. They pushed Golden State to a seven-game series in the first round and will be in year three under demanding coach Ime Udoka. Obtaining a 37-year-old nearing Hall of Fame status typically indicates a shift toward contention.
Nobody would have doubted the Knicks’ decision to retain their East finalist team for the 2025-26 season, especially after they upset Boston and came narrowly close to a Game 7 against Indiana. However, the front office chose to fire Tom Thibodeau, ignoring concerns about his tendency to over-rely on starters—a worry that didn’t play out in the form of significant injuries.
Ensuring Mitchell Robinson stays healthy for more than 17 games out of 82 next season will significantly enhance their defense. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns both earned All-NBA honors, making New York one of three teams (alongside OKC and Cleveland) with two such players. If new coach Mike Brown needs to secure three wins in the East Finals to validate his hiring, the Knicks might as well aim for five additional victories beyond that.
Historically, finishing in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive categories has been a key indicator for 11 of the past 15 NBA champions. Last season, the Timberwolves and Cavaliers were the only two squads to achieve this feat while still being on our list of teams without championships. Moreover, Minnesota and Indiana were the sole teams to make it to the conference finals in 2024 and 2025.
Will they remain perennial contenders or are they on the verge of breaking through? Much hinges on Anthony Edwards’ rise to potential MVP status, Jaden McDaniels’ offensive development to match his defensive skills, and how well the frontcourt meshes with Rudy Gobert. The point guard position presents challenges, with veteran Mike Conley aging and Rob Dillingham not impressing last season when tasked with filling the role.
**LA Clippers:** The Clippers appeared ready for a deep playoff surge last spring, having outscored and outshot Denver, only to exit the first round in seven games. Just six years prior, they made it to the conference finals for the first time in their 55-year history.
**Detroit Pistons:** The Pistons marked a historic achievement, winning 44 games—the first team ever to more than triple its year-over-year victories from 14 to 44. Their core is reminiscent of Oklahoma City’s, with Cade Cunningham potentially heading toward a breakthrough MVP season akin to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s, alongside an anticipated return for Jaden Ivey in the backcourt.
**Orlando Magic:** The Magic took a slight step back to a .500 record last season, largely due to injuries, with only one player starting more than 60 games (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope), who is no longer with the team. Desmond Bane joins as a reliable shooting guard with a refined three-point game. Would Orlando trade their starting forwards, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, for any duo in the league?
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, explore his archive here, and follow him on X.
