The NBA landscape has changed dramatically after one of the most hectic offseasons in league history. Blockbuster moves from LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jaylen Brown reshape the championship picture, but three teams continue to separate themselves from the rest of the league entering the 2026-27 season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and defending NBA champion New York Knicks are the top teams in most of the major offseason power rankings, and the Philadelphia 76ers are the biggest riser after putting together another superstar trio.
S³ Consensus Offseason Top 10
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Still considered the most complete roster in the league, even as they’ve made financial moves to avoid the NBA’s second-apron luxury tax restrictions.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The defending Western Conference champs have added Tobias Harris to add to their veteran depth and remain tied with Oklahoma City for No. 1.
3. New York Knicks
The defending NBA champion Knicks have brought back their title-winning core and added veteran center Andre Drummond to give them some frontcourt depth.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Biggest winner of the offseason. Philadelphia vaulted into the title conversation after signing LeBron James and acquiring Jaylen Brown to pair with Joel Embiid.
5. Boston Celtics
Boston traded Jaylen Brown for Paul George and picked up center Mitchell Robinson. Boston went toward long-term flexibility for the roster.
6. Denver Nuggets
Added depth at the guard position with the acquisition of veteran point guard Tyus Jones.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota added LaMelo Ball and Josh Green, giving the Timberwolves one of the deepest rosters in the Western Conference.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
They held on to their core after yet another deep Eastern Conference playoff run.
9. Detroit Pistons
One of the fastest-rising young teams in the NBA after a 60-win regular season.
10. Miami Heat
A direct return to the title race after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Eastern Conference Arms Race
The Eastern Conference race just got a little bit tougher. The Knicks are still the reigning champions and, according to many analysts, the team to beat after returning the core that won last season’s NBA title. Philadelphia stole the show in the league, bringing Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid to partner with LeBron James and transforming the 76ers from a fringe contender to a legitimate title favorite. Boston prioritized financial flexibility over continuity, trading Jaylen Brown in a deal centered on Paul George and setting itself up to stay competitive under the NBA's salary cap structure.
Western Conference Clash
Oklahoma City and San Antonio remain the top two teams in the Western Conference. Some analysts like the Thunder because of their elite depth and continuity, while others give the edge to the Spurs after San Antonio eliminated Oklahoma City in Game 7 of last season’s Western Conference finals. The conference is still crowded outside the big contenders. The Houston Rockets and the redesigned Utah Jazz are expected to battle for playoff positioning, while the Los Angeles Lakers begin a new era after the departure of LeBron James.
Bottom Line
The 2026 offseason has drastically reshaped the NBA championship race. Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and New York remain the league’s elite, but Philadelphia and Miami have added enough star power to make the race for the Larry O’Brien Trophy more competitive than ever.
