National Basketball Association (NBA) clubs that have recruited star players are challenging to become new champions in the 2026-2027 season.
This season, the NBA opens on the 21st (Korean time) and begins a long journey of playing 82 games per team during the regular season.
Ahead of this season, there is an assessment that power has been leveled as players who will shake up the championship landscape have moved to new teams.
LeBron James, born in 1984, whose skills have not rusted despite being the oldest active player, left the Los Angeles (LA) Lakers and transferred to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as the 'Greek Monster', moved from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat.
Jaylen Brown, the key player in the 2024 Boston Celtics' championship, transferred to Philadelphia, and Kawhi Leonard transferred from the LA Clippers to the Toronto Raptors.
In addition, as players who will be the team's core strength move to new teams, it has become difficult to predict which team will be the champion in the 2026-2027 season.
Meanwhile, the NBA Cup will be held during the regular season, just like last season.
Each conference is divided into 6 groups of 5 teams, and after the group league, the first place in each group and the 2 wild card teams determined by performance advance to the quarterfinals.
From the quarterfinals onwards, the winning team will be determined through a single match.
◇ Eastern Conference = The strongest candidate for the championship is Philadelphia. Philadelphia recruited not only James but also Brown, who led Boston to a championship in 2024, ahead of this season.
If the existing members, Joel Embiid, the league's best center, and young gun Tyrese Maxi create a synergy effect, they will definitely be ranked 0 as the favorites for the championship.
However, some say that if the five main players with strong offensive tendencies are put into the game together and their roles are not divided, it could actually be toxic.
Miami also shook up the Eastern Conference by recruiting Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson.
Under the goal guarded by Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the outside defense consisting of Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. is enough to be considered a contender for the championship.
The defending champion New York Knicks maintained stable power without any major changes in the winning team members.
New York, where 188cm tall guard Jaylen Brunson leads the attack, has team play rather than relying on individual player skills.
New York announces the opening of the season by inviting Philadelphia to Madison Square Garden, its home court, on the 21st.
The Detroit Pistons, who took first place in the Eastern Conference regular season last season, are expected to establish themselves as a strong team this season as well.
Detroit, which has been rebuilding its team for a long time, is challenging the top with talented players such as Jayden Ivey and Jaylen Duran, led by tall point guard Cade Cunningham (198cm).
◇ Western Conference = The San Antonio Spurs, who were ranked as the top contenders for the championship in a survey of NBA team managers, have young players, led by Victor Wembanyama, establishing themselves as the team's mainstays.
Although they advanced to the championship game last season and lost to New York, they proved their infinite potential.
Stefon Castle and Devin Vassell, who played a big role in last season's championship match, will join Wembanyama in the challenge for the summit.
The Oklahoma City Thunder led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is considered to be the team that will face San Antonio.
Gilgeous Alexander, one of the NBA's top guards, along with Jaylen Williams and Chet Holmgren, are alive and well.
Shooting guards Cason Wallace and Isaiah Hartenstein are expected to take over starting positions this season.
However, the key question is whether Williams, who will relieve Gilgeous-Alexander's burden on offense, can play without minor injuries this season.
Williams played only two games in the Western Conference finals against San Antonio last season due to injury.
This was pointed out as one of the reasons Oklahoma City lost to San Antonio.
After James left for Philadelphia, the Lakers became Luka Doncic's team.
Doncic is dreaming of a brilliant comeback this season, as he was unable to play his part last season due to a hamstring injury.
At Doncic's strong request, the Lakers brought in Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz to reinforce the net.
In addition, versatile guard Austin Reaves is expected to show a different team color than last season as he grows into a key player in the team.
San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and the Lakers are expected to compete for the top spot in the West, but the Phoenix Suns' power is also formidable.
Phoenix has tremendous firepower in Devin Booker and Jaylen Green, and recruited Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets to upgrade the height and scoring power of the forward line.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are also considered a dark horse.
Minnesota acquired LaMelo Ball from Charlotte to pair with Anthony Edwards.
Rudy Gobert, who won the Defender of the Year award four times, has a solid team.
In addition, the Denver Nuggets, led by ‘super big man’ Nikola Jokic, and the Houston Rockets, led by Kevin Durant, are also considered teams to watch this season.
