As the NBA approaches the 2025-26 season, only a few teams are genuinely championship-quality. Despite a record of seven different champions recently, many teams are focusing on development or balancing timelines. Cleveland Cavaliers are poised for contention but face challenges with a costly roster. Strategies across teams include focusing on youth development like the Oklahoma City Thunder or managing existing talent as with the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks. Assessing each team's roster and future obligations led to categorizing them into distinct tiers related to success.
Even in an era defined by parity -- a different champion has been crowned in a league-record seven consecutive seasons -- only a handful of teams are truly championship-quality every year. As a result, teams might be all-in on developing a young core like the Thunder was three seasons ago, or all-in on navigating two timelines like the Golden State Warriors or Dallas Mavericks.
Cleveland Cavaliers should have staying power as contenders -- if they can manage an expensive roster. Extensions for All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley will push Cleveland into the second apron.
Teams' strategies vary from all-in on developing a young core or navigating timelines; this structure leads to distinct tiers for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season.
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