From CBS Sports · · 3m
NBA 2026-27 Season Pressing Questions
Knicks repeat? 76ers break through? LeBron's impact? Warriors' future?
In brief
Knicks repeat? 76ers break through? LeBron's impact? Warriors' future? The Knicks, 76ers, Warriors, and others face key challenges as the NBA 2026-27 season approaches. Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Quick answers
- Knicks repeat?
- The Knicks entered last postseason as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, then went on an epic postseason run that included just three losses overall to win New York's first championship in 53 years.
- Can LeBron James alter the 76ers' fortunes?
- LeBron James plays for the 76ers, who stunned the NBA this summer by convincing him to play on a veteran minimum contract for a team that hasn't reached the conference finals since 2001.
- What do Steph Curry and the Warriors have left?
- Steph Curry signed a two-year, $115 million extension to stay with the Warriors, but he'll turn 39 in March and faces roster challenges with injuries and limited playing time.
- Will the Jalen Duren-Pistons unpleasantness linger?
- Jalen Duren signed a five-year deal with the Pistons worth $200 million after waiting until the last possible moment prior to the qualifying offer deadline on Oct. 1.
- How quickly can Giannis and the Heat compete?
- Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Heat after a protracted divorce in Milwaukee, but the Heat are listed behind the Knicks, 76ers, and Celtics to win the conference.
Knicks repeat?
The Knicks entered last postseason as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, then went on an epic postseason run that included just three losses overall to win New York's first championship in 53 years.
“The Knicks entered last postseason as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, then went on an epic postseason run that included just three losses overall (remarkably, two of those came courtesy of the Hawks in the first round) en route to New York's first championship in 53 years.”
Can LeBron James alter the 76ers' fortunes?
LeBron James plays for the 76ers, who stunned the NBA this summer by convincing him to play on a veteran minimum contract for a team that hasn't reached the conference finals since 2001.
“LeBron James plays for the 76ers . Jaylen Brown does, too.”
What do Steph Curry and the Warriors have left?
Steph Curry signed a two-year, $115 million extension to stay with the Warriors, but he'll turn 39 in March and faces roster challenges with injuries and limited playing time.
“Curry insisted he wants to be a golden state lifer, then put his money where his mouth is, signing a two-year, $115 million extension to stay with the warriors.”
Will the Jalen Duren-Pistons unpleasantness linger?
Jalen Duren signed a five-year deal with the Pistons worth $200 million after waiting until the last possible moment prior to the qualifying offer deadline on Oct. 1.
“Duren waited until the last possible moment prior to the qualifying offer deadline on Oct. 1 before signing his new five-year deal with the pistons worth $200 million.”
How quickly can Giannis and the Heat compete?
Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the Heat after a protracted divorce in Milwaukee, but the Heat are listed behind the Knicks, 76ers, and Celtics to win the conference.
“After a protracted and messy divorce in milwaukee, antetokounmpo is starting over in miami.”
Can Kawhi Leonard actually make everyone move on?
Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Raptors after the Clippers were fined $30 million and lost key leadership due to an NBA salary cap circumvention investigation.
“The Clippers were ultimately left holding that unwelcome bag to the tune of a $30 million fine, the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks and the mothballing of their key leadership.”
What will the injured big-name guards look like?
Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, and Kyrie Irving all missed the 2026-27 season due to injuries, with Lillard and Haliburton returning to form after their setbacks.
“Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both missed all of last season with Achilles injuries, while Kyrie Irving sat out the proceedings with a torn ACL.”
Who will win Rookie of the Year?
The rookie of the year race is hyper-competitive with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson among the top contenders.
“Put them all together, and it looks like we're headed for a hyper-competitive and wide-open race.”
Knicks' title run was legendary
The Knicks' title run featured several astounding come-from-behind victories, most notably recovering from a 29-point deficit in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to shock the Spurs.
“That historic performance featured several astounding come-from-behind victories, most notably their recovery from a 29-point deficit in game 4 of the nba finals to shock the spurs and everyone else.”
Knicks' title run was legendary
Keeping the Larry O'Brien Trophy in New York would be even more historic for the Knicks.
“The Knicks' title run was legendary. Keeping the Larry O'Brien Trophy in New York would be even more historic.”
LeBron James' impact on 76ers
LeBron James is well aware of the 76ers' spotty history but has not let on that he's sweating it, saying, 'I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round.'
“During media day, he told the assembled press, 'I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round.'”
Warriors' roster challenges
The Warriors face roster challenges with injuries and limited playing time for key players like Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
“Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody won't be ready to start the season due to injuries and it's unclear when they'll be available.”
Giannis' impact on Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo's arrival with the Heat is expected to help them compete, but the Heat are listed behind the Knicks, 76ers, and Celtics to win the conference.
“According to the oddsmakers, that's not so simple. The Heat (+1100 at FanDuel) are listed behind the Knicks (+370), Sixers (+420), Celtics (+500), Raptors (+850) and Pistons (+1000) to win the conference.”
Kawhi Leonard's trade
Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Raptors after the Clippers were fined $30 million and lost key leadership due to an NBA salary cap circumvention investigation.
“The Clippers were ultimately left holding that unwelcome bag to the tune of a $30 million fine, the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks and the mothballing of their key leadership, including owner steve ballmer (suspended for a year from team and league activities), president of business operations gillian zucker (suspended without pay for one year), and president of basketball operations lawrence frank (suspended without pay for six months).”
Injured guards' return
Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both missed the 2026-27 season due to injuries, with Lillard returning to Portland and Haliburton to Indiana.
“In two seasons, the bucks never made it out of the first round. Now he is back in portland, where the blazers and their fans are happy to welcome him home.”
Rookie of the Year race
The rookie of the year race is hyper-competitive with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson among the top contenders.
“Put them all together, and it looks like we're headed for a hyper-competitive and wide-open race.”
The short version
The Knicks, 76ers, Warriors, and others face key challenges as the NBA 2026-27 season approaches.
