As the 2025-26 NBA season begins less than two months from now, the league’s landscape is filled with excitement and predictions are coming alive. Most fans and analysts place the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at the top, followed by the Houston Rockets, who stormed into the title picture by acquiring Kevin Durant, and the Denver Nuggets, now deeper and more versatile, surrounding three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
In the East, the New York Knicks rank among the elite, fueled by their first Eastern Conference Finals run in decades and a postseason coaching switch to Mike Brown. Still, with six different champions crowned in the last six years, and perhaps a seventh on the horizon, some franchises appear close, but one piece away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
We have five NBA contenders ranked that are just one move away from winning it all next season. It could be a superstar player to take over the scoring responsibility or perhaps add to an already-talented team, but these franchises need to make the move sooner rather than later.
1. New York Knicks
The Knicks currently roll into the 2025-26 season with a gritty, two-way identity anchored by a core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and O.G. Anunoby. This nucleus delivers defensive intensity, elite perimeter spacing, and a balanced offense, but is it enough?
Their run to the Eastern Conference Finals last season underscored that this squad already has the foundation needed to compete at the highest level. We have to emphasize that this group is not just playoff-ready, it’s playoff-proven.
Yet, what they lack is that one transcendent perimeter scorer who can break open big moments, essentially a legitimate offensive catalyst who can complement Brunson’s floor leadership and KAT’s interior presence. We highlight the opening for a game-changing two-way wing or high-volume scorer who can reliably shift the dynamic in crunch time. A missing star on the wing would elevate the backcourt and solidify their tilt at the title, especially a player of LeBron James’ caliber.
Even if they can’t get The King, the main target should be Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player whose future in Milwaukee isn’t certain, and the Knicks will be interested. To that end, that is we we floated a bold blockbuster trade idea involving bringing in an elite star to complete their two-way core. This envisioned “dream frontcourt” would marry KAT’s interior power with a new perimeter dynamo, creating a matchup nightmare for defenses.
Perhaps it could be a necessary, aggressive move for a team already in title orbit: “one elite perimeter star away from the final barrier.” For Knicks fans, that is all they have been asking for since the 1972-73 NBA season.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota commands serious attention with a dynamic presence of Anthony Edwards, supplemented by emerging role players, positioning them as one of the more impressive rosters in the league. Their offensive versatility and high-ceiling backcourt make them future contenders, but last season’s playoff shortcomings exposed the need for a reliable secondary creator.
What the Timberwolves lack is a proven playmaking guard with scoring punch or floor-spacing precision to elevate their offense, especially in playoff environments. We proposed that acquiring someone with the vision and scoring to complement Edwards could turn them from a dark-horse threat into a fully legitimate contender.
One compelling scenario floated by us involves trading for Ja Morant, which would give Minnesota a composed, sharpshooting facilitator to anchor their backcourt alongside Edwards, combining creation and spacing seamlessly. Since Kevin Durant is out of the trade market, Morant has to be the target because a backcourt of him and Edwards would be unstoppable to handle.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the 2025-26 season perched near the top of the Eastern Conference, boasting a star-studded foundation of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland. With 64 wins last season and a clear organizational trajectory, they’re very close, but still appear one centerpiece short of championship invincibility.
What Cleveland lacks is that transformative star-level presence, someone with legacy, leadership, and the gravitational pull to elevate them past the Conference Finals. We explore LeBron James’ potential return as that missing weapon, bringing not just production, but emotional electricity and NBA Finals experience.
The most audacious trade idea involves a four-team blockbuster to bring LeBron (and even Bronny) back to Cleveland, turning the Cavs into instant title favorites. It’s portrayed as a high-stakes, high-reward gamble: injecting experience, star power, and narrative drama into a roster that already checks nearly all the right boxes.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles still commands attention thanks to LeBron James being on an expiring contract, offering both veteran leadership and roster flexibility. The team’s cap space and willingness to pivot make them a prime candidate for a mid-season retool or offseason splash.
Yet what the Lakers need is more than aging star power; they require a versatile, athletic wing scorer to stretch defenses and relieve pressure on LeBron and Luka. A multi-positional competitor who can thrive in transition and hit timely threes is their missing gear, which is why Aaron Nesmith has to be a priority.
Our other trade idea suggests landing Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jaquez Jr. from the Heat in a blockbuster swap, bringing defensive heft, scoring versatility, and youthful energy. This move would dilute the aging burden, upgrade the wing rotation, and keep L.A. in the title chase without mortgaging future flexibility.
At the very least, getting a proven offensive explosion off the bench would boost the Lakers’ title chances considerably. Malik Monk isn’t going to make much of an impact come playoff time for the retooling Kings, so perhaps he could be a missing piece for a Lakers title run as well.
5. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors remain anchored by Stephen Curry’s offensive genius, yet the team faces internal instability, especially with Jonathan Kuminga’s contract saga. That tension underscores the need for roster improvements for added stability with the title window closing.
What they lack is immediate roster harmony and frontline depth, especially at center. A clear blocker or complementary defender would ease the championship pressure points against elite bigs. Resolving contract drama would also restore team chemistry.
We have floated at least two ideas: first, a “last-ditch trade” sending Kuminga to Orlando to resolve pressing contract issues; and second, a bold trade aiming to bring back an elite scorer, creating a new Splash Brothers pairing and reestablishing championship core continuity.
