By sheer numbers, the NBA saw a lot of change this offseason.
40 draft picks signed standard contracts. 41 players were traded. 35 guys signed with a new franchise in free agency. That’s actually all less than most offseasons, but that’s still around 17 percent of all players changing teams.
Heading into the 2026-27 season, though, fans should expect more of the same. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Jayson Tatum are the betting favorites to win MVP. The Thunder, Spurs, and Knicks are Finals favorites. Sure, teams like the Heat and 76ers overhauled their rosters this summer, but those moves aren’t expected to matter in June.
Even with nearly a fifth of active players on the move this summer, the 2026-27 season should give fans a sense of déjà vu.
NBA Hasn’t Changed Much Over Three Months
With the season around the corner. every major outlet will publish posts like “Offseason Recap for All 30 NBA Teams” or “Which NBA Franchises Won the Offseason?”
At Full Court Press, we find that to be somewhat self-serving. Sure, LeBron James heading to Philadelphia or Giannis Antetokounmpo moving to Miami could have massive impacts on the NBA, but for the most part, fans expect more of the same next season: the Knicks will run through the East, and the Spurs and Thunder will battle it out in the Western Conference.
Between San Antonio, New York, and Oklahoma City, only one starter was lost. Lu Dort was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, but other than that, the starting lineups will remain intact. Sure, the Knicks lost Mitchell Robinson and the Spurs added Tobias Harris, but those weren’t exactly blockbuster moves.
No, much like last season, Wemby, SGA, Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, and Cade Cunningham should get All-NBA love. Tyrese Haliburton and Tatum will both return to full strength and could be major players late in the season, but they aren’t exactly new on the scene.
In recent years, between Wemby and Cooper Flagg, multiple rookies have entered the league ready to make a statement. Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa are all excellent prospects, but none of their teams are expected to take a major leap. At least not yet.
In the West, teams would be better served to tank. The Thunder and Spurs aren’t going anywhere. In the East, the conference is more top-heavy than ever.
There were some major moves this summer, but do any of those teams make the Finals? Do they even make the Conference Finals? Or does the league look the same?
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