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An optimistic highlight for all 30 teams as the season kicks off is the fact that everyone is equal, tied for the top spot on the inaugural night.
But what happens by the time the season wraps up in April? Where do these teams find themselves seven months later? That’s the question some developing squads are contemplating as they gear up for 2025-26. After missing the playoffs last season, either entirely or through the Play-In Tournament, these teams are haunted by skepticism until they prove otherwise.
Last year’s playoff participants don’t have a guaranteed spot this time around. The landscape of competition shifts every year; some teams falter while others emerge, leading to a reshuffling of the hierarchy.
This might be a tall order for the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, who finished at the bottom of their respective conferences. A significant turnaround is necessary for both to secure playoff berths this season. Conversely, several other rebuilding teams appear on the verge of making their mark in April.
We’ve identified four teams with the potential to reach the playoffs after falling short last year:
Trae Young discusses the Hawks’ offseason changes with Stephanie Ready.
It’s hard to believe, but the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in this decade. Yet, they haven’t been close to replicating that success since their 2021 playoff run due to a variety of factors, including personnel issues and a roster that hit its limit.
The cornerstone of that squad, Trae Young, remains. However, the team surrounding him now is largely revamped and, dare we say, more promising. While the Hawks might not be the first team that comes to mind in discussions about the Eastern Conference’s elite, expecting this young and evolving roster to make the playoffs isn’t unrealistic.
The driving force behind this optimism is Jalen Johnson. After being sidelined for part of last season due to injury, Johnson was on the brink of a breakout, averaging 18.9 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, demonstrating that he could be the co-star Young has been missing. The encouraging news? Johnson is ready to pick up where he left off.
Dyson Daniels emerged as one of the standout players in 2024-25, earning the title of Kia Most Improved Player and finishing runner-up for Kia Defensive Player of the Year. On the defensive front, Atlanta added Nickeil Alexander-Walker, which has upgraded their backcourt with a pair of defensive specialists.
Young, known as one of the league’s most creative passers (leading in assists generated points in 2024-25), now has Johnson, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Zaccharie Risacher as reliable shooting and finishing options.
This team is definitely heading in an encouraging direction. If Young can enhance his shooting efficiency, bolstered by more supporting weapons, the playoffs should be well within reach.
The 2024-25 season brought mixed emotions for the Mavericks. It was disappointing, especially following the trade for Luka Dončić, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Yet, they also stumbled into a silver lining by securing the No. 1 overall pick, choosing Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as a potential generational talent.
Thus, the Mavericks are entering the new season with renewed optimism. With Anthony Davis hopeful to maintain his health (with fingers crossed) and Kyrie Irving recovering from surgery, there is enough talent to manage the interim period.
For example, the Mavericks won’t expect D’Angelo Russell to save the day, even if his skills could justify that role. Instead, they need him to manage the point guard position for part of the season. He is expected to facilitate the game, allowing Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and PJ Washington their fair share of opportunities while generating open looks for Klay Thompson.
As for Davis, he will likely be on a quest to stay fit and demonstrate to Dallas fans that the Dončić trade provided an elite player. He can also alleviate some pressure on Flagg, a rare No. 1 overall pick who starts his rookie season on a playoff-capable team.
Much must unfold before labeling the Mavericks as serious title contenders. Yet a healthy Kyrie and Davis almost ensures a playoff berth.
Criticism of the Sixers has become a popular trend, both harming the team’s image and posing a risk to their injury-prone stars. Undoubtedly, the Sixers, along with Joel Embiid and Paul George, are often dismissed as contenders, and many view them as cautionary tales following a disappointing 2024-25 season (only 24 wins).
However, take a moment to reconsider before piling on the criticism directed at Philadelphia. While they have been a target of ridicule for the past year—beginning with Embiid’s questionable choice to participate in Team USA over resting in the summer of 2024 and continuing with George’s knee surgery this summer, which jeopardized his immediate future—they still possess significant potential.
If both stars can remain healthy—and that’s a significant “if”—the Sixers could rank among the top five or six teams in the East. Assuming the best scenario where Embiid, the Kia MVP of 2022-23, and George, an outstanding two-way player, each participate in over 50 games, that wouldn’t be unrealistic.
In such a case, the Sixers could make strides in a weakened Eastern Conference (with no Jayson Tatum or Tyrese Haliburton). This hinges on Embiid reclaiming his dominant form and George bouncing back from the sole subpar season of his career. They are supported by a solid cast, including Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre, Jared McCain (who might have clinched Kia Rookie of the Year were it not for a setback), and rookie VJ Edgecombe, among others. Suddenly, the playoffs seem viable again after last year’s absence.
Can the Spurs achieve three consecutive Kia NBA Rookie of the Year titles? Dylan Harper certainly possesses the talent and potential to help make that dream reality.
It’s widely anticipated that the young Spurs will embark on a series of playoff appearances; the only question is when that streak will commence, and it looks likely to happen sooner rather than later—potentially this season.
Having Victor Wembanyama for an entire season should secure them a playoff berth. His impact as a dual-threat player is extraordinary, and at just 21, his journey has only begun. Nonetheless, the Spurs’ quest for a prime postseason position extends beyond just him.
Their backcourt features De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell, which seems capable of delivering strong outcomes. It’s premature to label it as the league’s best three-guard lineup, but Castle appears ready for further responsibilities.
Additionally, players like Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson could step up, as Dylan Harper aims to follow in Wemby and Castle’s footsteps and contribute to the Spurs’ hope for three consecutive Kia Rookie of the Year awards.
However, the Spurs are likely to face some growing pains and lack playoff experience, aside from Harrison Barnes and a few others. Plus, the Western Conference remains deep and fiercely competitive. Still, with Wembanyama at the helm, they may have an edge over other teams vying for playoff positions.
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Shaun Powell has been an NBA reporter for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, explore his archive here, and follow him on Twitter.
The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
