The East-leading Pistons have plenty of reasons to look forward to 2026 with Cade Cunningham leading the way.
From time to time, NBA.com’s writers will share their takes on the biggest storylines and trends around the league.
What reason for hope does each team have in 2026?
Editor’s note: Teams listed by conference in alphabetical order
Steve Aschburner
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Bucks: Giannis discovers a reason to stay
Bulls: Swapping depth for an alpha
Cavaliers: Desperation can be good
Celtics: Awaiting Tatum’s return
Hawks: A potential Trae trade?
Heat: More Herro ball
Hornets: Blending young with younger
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson’s health
Magic: Banchero gets his groove
Nets: Rookies become sophomores
Pacers: That the “gap year” goes fast
Pistons: Tightening up the defense
Raptors: Barnes’ All-NBA future
76ers: Staggering Embiid and Maxey
Wizards: Sarr inspires D-first copycats
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Clippers: Ironman Kawhi
Grizzlies: A healthy & committed Ja
Jazz: Keyonte George, MIP
Kings: A productive trade market, perhaps?
Lakers: Attention to defensive details
Mavericks: Bright future with Flagg
Nuggets: Non-Jokic weeks, not months
Pelicans: Zion thrives as Sixth Man
Rockets: Some more Steve-o
Spurs: Wembanyama stays healthy & hungry
Suns: Heavy East schedule
Thunder: Sam Presti’s war chest awaits
Timberwolves: Finding some help at PG
Trail Blazers: Say it with us — “AHV-dee-uh”
Warriors: Some offense from Draymond
Brian Martin
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Bucks: Antetokounmpo back from injury and wreaking havoc
Bulls: Promising young talent in Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey
Cavaliers: This core has won 60+ games when healthy
Celtics: Third in the East without Jayson Tatum
Hawks: Jalen Johnson emerging as an All-Star
Heat: New offense has lifted them from 24th to 3rd in scoring
Hornets: Kon Knueppel’s strong start to his rookie season
Knicks: Already have one trophy this season
Magic: Desmond Bane has been a great fit, elevating the offense from 28th to 16th
Nets: They’re 7-4 in December, best record in a month since December 2022
Pacers: Development of young players while Tyrese Haliburton recovers
Pistons: Cade Cunningham leads young core built for long-term success
Raptors: Scottie Barnes showcasing his all-around game
76ers: Tyrese Maxey is making another leap
Wizards: Development of Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson and Kyshawn George
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard closing out 2025 on a tear
Grizzlies: Finding their stride (11-7) after a tough start (4-11 through 15 games)
Jazz: Keyonte George’s Year 3 leap
Kings: Maxime Raynaud (42nd pick, 8th on the Rookie Ladder) was a Draft steal
Lakers: Dončić entering his prime in purple and gold
Mavericks: Cooper Flagg’s superstar potential
Nuggets: Jokić avoiding a major knee injury
Pelicans: No. 13 pick Derik Queen is No. 3 on Kia Rookie Ladder
Rockets: Adding Kevin Durant seamlessly to young core
Spurs: A 7-foot-5 star named Victor Wembanyama, plus their young guard duo
Suns: Newfound chemistry and depth compared to last season
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s excellence (104 straight 20+ point games)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards is still getting better
Trail Blazers: Shaedon Sharpe posters and potential All-Star Deni Avdija
Warriors: Stephen Curry is always a reason for hope
John Schuhmann
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Bucks: Antetokounmpo’s still here
Bulls: Buzelis could be a huge weapon
Cavaliers: Too talented to not make a run
Celtics: Drop-off wasn’t that big
Hawks: Pelicans’ pick is looking good
Heat: Great coach, always star-shopping
Hornets: Knueppel does everything well
Knicks: The favorite in the East
Magic: There is offense in Orlando
Nets: Lots of young guys, more to come
Pacers: Good year to have a high pick
Pistons: First place and still young
Raptors: Barnes’ defense and versatility
76ers: Maxey and Edgecombe are a special duo
Wizards: Sarr’s rim protection
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Clippers: Door is open for a run up the standings
Grizzlies: Coward is already good
Jazz: George has made a huge leap
Kings: Raynaud is intriguing
Lakers: Dončić is a top-10 offense
Mavericks: Flagg will be easy to build around
Nuggets: Best player in the world
Pelicans: You can build an offense around Queen
Rockets: Only OKC has a better point differential
Spurs: Just scratching the surface
Suns: The culture has changed
Thunder: A contender for lots of titles
Timberwolves: Edwards is 24
Trail Blazers: Avdija keeps improving
Warriors: Steph is still getting it done
