By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
This year, we’ve seen teams like the Detroit Pistons take the leap, currently sitting first place in the Eastern Conference with a 16-4 record. The Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic are also trending up in this conference.
In the Western Conference, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have led the Los Angeles Lakers to an impressive 15-4 record. The Lakers are only chasing the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have gone 20-1 following their NBA Championship win over the Indiana Pacers.
Other Western Conference teams to watch out for next year include the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs. New customers who sign up with the latest Fanatics Sportsbook promo code qualify for up to $2,000 in Bet Insurance FanCash.
Take advantage of this welcome offer by placing a bet on any of these NBA teams to win in various 2026-27 NBA futures markets on Fanatics Sportsbook. Or, invest in their potential and bet on them in upcoming matchups or 2025-26 NBA futures markets instead.
Let’s turn our attention to the Miami Heat. This is a team that didn’t generate a lot of offseason hype or expectations coming into 2025. However, the Heat are the NBA’s second-ranked scoring offense, led by shooting guards Tyler Herro and Norman Powell.
Despite the offensive production, the Heat are even better on defense. Miami ranks second in defensive rating (111.5), and Bam Adebayo’s versatile presence in the front court will go a long way to help the Heat evolve into a contender in 2026.
Two of Europe’s superstar basketball players, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, have combined to lead the NBA in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, and true shooting percentage. This means the Lakers and Nuggets will remain a threat to go on an NBA Championship run in 2026 with their star talent leading the way.
Kevin Durant has propelled the Houston Rockets into a more competitive tier in 2025. Surrounded by other young talent like Amen Thompson, Durant’s Rockets are currently second in Net Rating (+11.9) and should continue to build rapport heading into 2026.
The Orlando Magic have endured a long rebuild to get to where they are right now. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are the leading scorers for the Magic, as the franchise opted to construct its roster with a dominant front court. Orlando also plays in the Eastern Conference, which is a bit weaker than the West, making it a bit easier to go on a deep playoff run.
Finally, we’ll look at the San Antonio Spurs. The development of Victor Wembanyama has brought wins to a franchise that was previously void of any real momentum.
Even though the Spurs’ star seven-footer is dealing with a calf injury, other players on the Spurs roster have stepped up. This includes their backcourt tandem of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, who both average between 17 and 24 points per game.
The Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs are all top NBA teams to watch out for next year.