NBA 2025/26 Preview: The 80th Season Tips Off with High Stakes and Fresh Storylines

The NBA celebrates its 80th season with Oklahoma City Thunder defending their crown, Kevin Durant joining Houston in a record-breaking deal, and LeBron James chasing glory in his 23rd campaign.

From new rules to historic family moments, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025/26 NBA season - and what it all means for smart bettors following the action.

Oklahoma City Aiming to Defend the Crown

Oklahoma City Thunder enter the season as defending champions, retaining the core that carried them to glory last year. Led by reigning MVP and league top scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have doubled down on their youthful power, with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren both signing five-year maximum extensions.

According to The Athletic, the combined value of those deals with Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract reaches an astonishing $855 million. The big question? Whether hunger can outlast satisfaction. Last year’s Boston Celtics provided a cautionary tale — after winning the title, they kept the same squad and looked flat the following season.

The Thunder, however, remain young, fearless and motivated. If they stay healthy, every contender will find it hard to dethrone them.

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Denver and Cleveland in Pursuit

Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers are widely tipped as Oklahoma’s main challengers.

Denver, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, are still among the elite, but haven’t gone past the conference semi-finals in two consecutive post-seasons since their 2023 title run. Head coach David Adelman now faces the task of integrating several new faces — Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valančiūnas, and returning champion Bruce Brown — as the Nuggets aim to reclaim their dominance in the West.

Cleveland, on the other hand, were outstanding during the regular season, finishing top of the East before being stunned by Indiana in the playoffs. With Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers possess both youth and star power, and will expect nothing less than a deep playoff run.

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Kevin Durant’s Record-Breaking Deal

The summer’s biggest move saw Kevin Durant traded to the Houston Rockets in what became the largest multi-team trade in NBA history, involving seven franchises. The 37-year-old veteran also agreed to a two-year, $90 million extension, turning down a maximum $120 million to give Houston more flexibility in building a contender.

Durant’s total career earnings now stand at a record-breaking $598.2 million, surpassing LeBron James. The deal underlines his commitment to Houston, who also landed Clint Capela as part of the same transaction.

LeBron, Luka and the Lakers’ Ambition

The Los Angeles Lakers remain a fascinating story. LeBron James, entering his record-breaking 23rd NBA season, continues to defy time and expectation. At 40, he remains one of the game’s greats, while Luka Dončić — now in his prime — has committed long-term to the Lakers, determined to deliver the championship ring that still eludes him.

With that duo fit and motivated, Los Angeles will once again be among the favourites in the West.

New Era in New York

After falling short in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals against Indiana, the New York Knicks have made a coaching change.

Veteran coach Mike Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau in a bid to push the team to its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. Brown brings experience from stints with Cleveland, the Lakers, and Sacramento, and inherits a squad full of talent and grit.

Boston’s Bold Overhaul

Boston Celtics, the 2024 champions, have dramatically reshaped their roster after Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, which could keep him sidelined for most of the season. The franchise traded Kristaps Porziņģis to Atlanta and Jrue Holiday to Portland, acquiring Anfernee Simons in the process — a bold attempt to stay competitive despite the setback.

Three Brothers Make NBA History

For the first time ever, three brothers will play for the same NBA franchise. Alex Antetokounmpo, 24, joins his brothers Giannis and Thanasis at the Milwaukee Bucks, signing a two-way deal with the 2021 champions.

The youngest of the Antetokounmpo brothers previously had stints in Greece and Montenegro, and will begin with Milwaukee’s G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. It’s a rare family story in a league known for its rivalries — and a first in its 80-year history.

New “Heave” Rule Changes the Stats Game

A notable rule change will come into effect this season — long-range desperation shots, or “heaves,” will no longer count against a player’s personal shooting percentage if taken within the final three seconds of a quarter (except the fourth).

This adjustment could encourage more last-second attempts from distance, improving the entertainment factor without punishing players statistically. Interestingly, Nikola Jokić led the league last season with 22 such shots.

Season Format

The regular season runs until 12 April 2026, followed by the play-in tournament (14–17 April) and the playoffs beginning 18 April. The NBA Finals will tip off on 4 June.

Each of the 30 teams will play 82 regular-season games, evenly split between home and away fixtures, while the NBA Cup returns from 31 October to 16 December, adding extra mid-season excitement for fans and bettors alike.

Tips for Getting Started with the NBA Betting

The essential tip for getting started with NBA betting is to start with smaller stakes, especially while you get to know the systems.

The tips shared in this blog will help you become an NBA betting specialist. Use all available statistical data to make the best possible decision.

If you are a beginner, experiment, try different strategies, and see which one works best for you, which one you excel at, and which one is easiest for you to analyze well.

Finally, set a budget and stick to it.