NBA training camps are underway, and the first preseason game is just around the corner.
On Saturday, October 3, the Miami Heat will travel to Quebec City, Canada, to take on the Toronto Raptors. Both teams have gone through significant overhauls this offseason, with Miami landing superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade, while Toronto has reunited with Kawhi Leonard.
These are only a few of the many teams that experienced major roster changes, but arguably the biggest transformation happened in Philadelphia. The 76ers are fully committed to maximizing their championship window, adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to their existing core of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe.
While veterans tend to have limited roles in preseason games, here are five key storylines to watch as the 2026-27 NBA regular season approaches:
NBA Champions Through the Years
- 2026: New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
- 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game series.
- 2024: Boston Celtics claimed the title over the Dallas Mavericks in five games.
- 2023: Denver Nuggets overpowered the Miami Heat in five games.
- 2022: Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games.
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns in six games.
- 2020: Los Angeles Lakers won against the Miami Heat in six games.
- 2019: Toronto Raptors triumphed over the Golden State Warriors in six games.
- 2018: Golden State Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games.
- 2017: Golden State Warriors won in five games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series.
- 2015: Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.
- 2014: San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat in five games.
- 2013: Miami Heat overcame the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.
- 2012: Miami Heat won over the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games.
- 2008: Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
- 2005: San Antonio Spurs won in seven games against the Detroit Pistons.
- 2004: Detroit Pistons outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
- … [Further champions listed back to 1987]
Miami Heat’s Uplifting Mood, But What Will Their Offense Look Like?
Newly acquired Klay Thompson recently took the team on a boat ride around Biscayne Bay, illustrating the upbeat atmosphere. Earlier, captain Bam Adebayo and point guard Davion Mitchell led an intensive “pain camp,” focusing on cardio to prepare the team.
The early footage from training at Florida Atlantic shows a brisk pace, similar to last season when Miami topped the league with 104.22 possessions per 48 minutes. With Antetokounmpo onboard, Miami’s fastbreak opportunities should expand since he ranked second in the NBA with 5.5 fast break points per game. His attacking style draws defenders, opening up shots for his teammates. The Heat are likely to maintain their up-tempo style with Antetokounmpo dishing out many assists—provided he stays healthy. The key questions are whether Miami’s shooting can remain consistent and if this pace can be sustained throughout the season.
Luka Dončić Takes the Lead for the Lakers
The Lakers’ offense looked somewhat disjointed last season, especially when Luka Dončić and LeBron James shared the court. Both players prefer having the ball in their hands and are excellent passers, which created conflicts over who should control the offense. Often, the player without the ball ended up sidelined and away from the main action.
Now that James has moved to the 76ers, Dončić will assume primary playmaking duties. Last season, he led the NBA with a usage rate of 36.8% and was sixth in assist percentage at 38.7% among players with at least 50 games. Given his talent and role, those numbers could increase this season, possibly cementing him further into MVP conversations. Shooting guard Austin Reaves also serves as a playmaker and should excel when Dončić rests, but Dončić will orchestrate the offense whenever they’re both on the floor.
Philadelphia 76ers Focus on Team Chemistry Over Individual Stars
When asked about the “alpha” on the roster during 76ers media day, Jaylen Brown dismissed the question, signaling a shift away from individual dominance. This team differs from past squads built around a single superstar like LeBron James or Brown stepping up during injuries. The 76ers possess unprecedented depth and talent, perhaps their best in decades.
Coach Nick Nurse’s challenge is to foster a team-first mentality that downplays personal stats in favor of collective success. This might lead to slight dips in scoring averages for stars like LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, which would actually be a positive sign of cohesion. If healthy and unselfish, this group should be a serious title contender.
San Antonio Spurs’ Young Stars Are Confident — But Learnings From Last Year Are Crucial
The Spurs’ rising talents exhibit confidence and a bit of swagger; Stephon Castle called the energy at Madison Square Garden during the Finals “underwhelming.” While this boldness is encouraging, their true test is whether they can become the first team since the 2016-17 Warriors to claim a title after losing in the Finals the previous year.
Their success hinges on the development of Victor Wembanyama, Castle, Dylan Harper, and veteran De’Aaron Fox bouncing back from a Finals slump. They must avoid last year’s mistake of becoming passive in critical moments, shying away from attacking the paint and relying too heavily on inconsistent three-point shooting.
Two Underdog Teams Could Surprise
Neither the Indiana Pacers nor the Minnesota Timberwolves are getting much preseason buzz, but both could be Finals-worthy. Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton has recovered from an Achilles injury suffered during Game 7 of the 2025 Finals. While Indiana misses Myles Turner’s perimeter shooting, Ivica Zubac could mesh well with Haliburton’s playmaking and rim protection. The preseason will reveal how they gel as a unit.
On the Western front, Minnesota seems overshadowed by the Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, but with LaMelo Ball joining the roster, Anthony Edwards finally has a dynamic partner to share offensive duties. This should relieve some pressure from Edwards and enhance Minnesota’s consistency against tough playoff defenses.
Fan Take: The significant roster shakeups and emerging storylines this upcoming NBA season reflect a shift toward dynamic team play and fresh rivalries, promising exciting basketball ahead. For fans, these developments mean more unpredictable games, the rise of new superstars, and a compelling journey toward crowning the next champion, keeping the spirit and passion of the sport alive.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
