The 2026-27 NBA season is right here! Try our crew previews, together with energy rankings, best- and worst-case situations, and fantasy recommendation.
2025-26 end
Report: 45-37 (seventh within the East, misplaced 4-0 in East semifinals to Knicks)
Offseason strikes
Draft:n (No. 22)
Signings: Dean Wade (4 years, $39 million), Ariel Hukporti (1 12 months, $3.4 million), Anfernee Simons (2 years, $12.3 million), Caleb Love (two-way contract), LeBron James (2 years, $8 million), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1 12 months, $3.9 million)
Trades: Jaylen Brown (from Celtics)
Key departures: Quentin Grimes (signed with Lakers), Kelly Oubre Jr. (signed with Pacers), Paul George (traded to Celtics), Andre Drummond (signed with Knicks)
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Preseason Energy Rankings: No. 3
What's thrilling: Joel Embiid has by no means had a greater probability to win a championship, or at the least get by way of the second spherical of the playoffs. LeBron is LeBron, Brown simply made one other All-NBA crew, and Tyrese Maxey brings contagious velocity and power. What if VJ Edgecombe takes a leap in his second 12 months too? With robust depth, the Sixers have a roster that would push for 70 wins if every part clicks. So benefit from the experience, Sixers followers.
What's regarding: May all of it be too good to be true? LeBron is about to show 42, Jaylen wasn't even glad being the 1B in Boston, and Embiid will get damage each single 12 months. There are solely so many photographs to go round, in order good as sharing sounds in the summertime, it might not sound as good throughout a skid halfway by way of the 12 months. However most of all, I'm involved about Embiid. If he can't keep on the ground, and if the Sixers can't get stops with out him, who's gonna get blamed? Clearly Embiid. And who would a brand new Sixers entrance workplace attempt to commerce to repair it? Clearly Embiid. It makes logical sense if that's the way in which issues go, however that may suck. If I'm a Philly fan, I need to win all of it with Embiid. Anything wouldn't be fairly as candy. — Kevin O'Connor
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Fantasy watch
Joel Embiid: 8 turnovers. Ugly. Disgusting. He seemed dangerous, like he hadn't performed 5-on-5 in a very long time. Everybody else within the beginning lineup seemed respectable, and the total 5 performed collectively within the first half versus Brooklyn, so the starters are set. That stated, I believe they need to carry VJ Edgecombe off the bench for Dean Wade. LeBron's line (10/4/5, one FG try, 8-8 FT) reveals he doesn't have to be aggressive to nonetheless get the numbers. — Dan Titus
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2026-27 schedule
Opening week: 10/20 at Knicks, 10/22 vs. Cavs, 10/24 vs. Bucks
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Betting perspective
50.5 — win complete
+225 to win division
+850 to win NBA Finals
Finest case, worst case
Finest case: No. 1 seed
The pathway is straightforward: the Core 4 meshes effectively (and performs 60+ video games collectively), VJ Edgecombe continues to progress, and an underrated bench unit fills gaps at a excessive stage. The potential is actually there.
Worst case: Play-In Event
There are apparent well being considerations with Embiid, and age considerations with LeBron. The depth behind Embiid is worthy of questions, even when I'm personally enamored with a few of their choices. There's a world the place well being considerations restrict the ceiling, and defensive considerations (particularly the rebounding) restrict their flooring. — Nekias Duncan