Midseason insights from the NBA: Updates on all 30 franchises
With a minimum of 41 games completed for each NBA team, it’s time to reflect on the insights gained from the first half of the 2025-26 season, which has already been marked by unexpected contenders, remarkable performances, and numerous developments. (And one trade!)
Two emerging teams — the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the revitalized Detroit Pistons — have surged to significant leads in their respective conferences. Ongoing trade discussions involving star forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis have captured media attention for several months. At the same time, the uncertain futures of future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Chris Paul have highlighted the league’s upcoming talent.
Numerous other compelling narratives have emerged during the first half. Following discussions this week with coaches, executives, and scouts across the league, let’s explore one key takeaway from each team.
Statistics are current through Wednesday’s games.
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GS
HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM
MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK
OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR
SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS
Atlanta Hawks
Lesson at the halfway mark: Trae Young’s defense was not the sole concern.
Young’s challenging fit in Atlanta was a topic of discussion prior to his trade to the Wizards last month. While the team’s defense has struggled during the limited minutes Young has played this season, his offensive contributions are undeniable. With the elite playmaker sidelined this season — he has participated in only 10 games due to right leg injuries — the Hawks’ offense has ranked 25th in the NBA.
Boston Celtics
Lesson at the halfway mark: Neemias Queta may be a starting-caliber center.
With Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford leaving via trade or free agency this offseason, a significant void was created. The Celtics have turned to 26-year-old Queta to fill this gap. He has performed well, with Boston showing a 5.4-point improvement per 100 possessions when he is on the court, and the defense would rank second in the league during his minutes. Queta, the first Portuguese-born player in NBA history, has been instrumental in Boston’s strong first half despite the absence of injured superstar Jayson Tatum. “I think he’s a starter,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “He does everything you want in a center.”
Brooklyn Nets
Lesson at the halfway mark: Michael Porter Jr. has emerged as an intriguing trade prospect.
After Brooklyn acquired a first-round pick from Denver as part of the offseason deal for Porter, the objective for any team in the Nets’ situation should be to convert the forward into another pick before he departs. Porter has maintained his efficiency while stepping into the primary scoring role for the rebuilding franchise, which should attract interest from several contending teams as the February 5 deadline approaches.
Charlotte Hornets
Lesson at the halfway mark: Despite criticism, LaMelo Ball has been a valuable contributor.
Few players evoke as much debate as Ball, one of the league’s most thrilling stars, yet one who has faced scrutiny regarding his impact on winning basketball. This season has begun to clarify that, as the Hornets perform over six points per 100 possessions better when Ball is on the court, with an offense that would rank third in the league during his play — and 27th when he is absent.
Chicago Bulls
Lesson at the halfway mark: They still need to determine a direction.
The Bulls are on track to finish below .500 for the fourth consecutive season. However, with significant expiring contracts and some promising young players, Chicago has choices. As the trade deadline nears, the question remains whether the Bulls will opt for a clear path or continue to linger in mediocrity. One area of focus among sources is the future of Chicago’s two impending unrestricted free agent guards, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, leading up to the trade deadline.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Lesson at the halfway mark: Darius Garland is crucial.
Many things have gone awry for the Cavaliers, who are far from last season’s 64-win pace. The most significant change has been Garland, both in terms of his availability and his impact when he is on the floor. Compared to last season, when the guard led the league’s best offense, Cleveland’s offense is over eight points per 100 possessions worse when he plays. With Garland dealing with another toe injury, any chance for Cleveland to regain last year’s success hinges on getting its All-Star back on track.
Dallas Mavericks
Lesson at the halfway mark: Cooper Flagg is proving his worth.
The 19-year-old Flagg faced challenges when he was assigned full-time point guard responsibilities in the early weeks of the season. However, since Mavericks coach Jason Kidd moved Flagg back to his natural position on the wing, his performance has surged: 20.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48% from the field. Other players achieving similar numbers this season include Nikola Jokic, Jalen Johnson, and Alperen Sengun.
Denver Nuggets
Lesson at the halfway mark: Peyton Watson is making a case for a new contract.
Amid a significant wave of injuries in Denver, Watson has likely positioned himself for a raise this summer. Since Nikola Jokic injured his knee on December 29, Watson has averaged 22.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 49.5% overall and 41.5% from beyond the arc. These statistics led one high-ranking league executive to estimate that Watson, a restricted free agent this summer, could command a contract close to $20 million per season.
Detroit Pistons
Lesson at the halfway mark: It’s time to take Detroit seriously.
A long-standing criterion for genuine championship contention has been ranking within the top 10 in both offense and defense, as well as being in the top five for net rating. At the midpoint of this season, Detroit was 11th in offense, second in defense, and tied for second in net rating — an impressive feat for a young team still developing. As the trade deadline approaches, it will be intriguing to see if Detroit enhances its roster for a title pursuit or opts for patience. Currently, indications from the front office suggest the latter.
play1:40Stephen A.: Warriors headed for first-round exit without Butler
Stephen A. Smith expresses his disappointment for Jimmy Butler following his season-ending injury and believes it will result in a first-round playoff exit for the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors
Lesson at the halfway mark: De’Anthony Melton has had an understated influence.
Golden State’s plans were disrupted when Jimmy Butler III suffered a torn ACL on Monday. Butler’s injury not only overshadows Golden State’s recent improved performance but also Melton’s remarkable recovery from his own ACL tear sustained early last season. Melton has nearly doubled his scoring average from December to January, shooting 49% from the field and 40.8% from three-point range this month. The Warriors have been an impressive 19 points per 100 possessions better with Melton on the court. “He’s been very good. He fits anywhere,” an Eastern Conference scout noted.
Houston Rockets
Lesson at the halfway mark: Reed Sheppard is progressing as expected.
After Sheppard struggled on opening night against the formidable Oklahoma City defense, concerns arose about how the second-year guard would perform as a key member of a rotation lacking a true facilitator following Fred VanVleet’s knee injury. The Rockets’ patience has paid off, as Sheppard — averaging 13 points, shooting over 40% from three, and contributing 1.4 steals per game — is delivering impactful performances off the bench, including a 21-point outing in Tuesday’s comeback victory over San Antonio. “People wrote him off way too early,” the East scout remarked. “I think people are starting to respect him more, but too many flaws were pointed out in his game. He can play.”
Indiana Pacers
Lesson at the halfway mark: Things are proceeding as planned.
This season has been challenging for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who hold the second-lowest win percentage in the league. However, Tyrese Haliburton’s extended absence has provided Indiana with the opportunity to secure a high-lottery pick to enhance its core. The Pacers may not wait until June; sources indicate they could seek to acquire players before the trade deadline to accelerate a return to contention next season.
LA Clippers
Lesson at the halfway mark: Kawhi Leonard remains a formidable player.
Amid the Clippers’ poor start and the ongoing investigation into potential salary cap violations, Leonard’s outstanding season has largely gone unnoticed. The two-time Finals MVP is averaging a career-high 28.2 points and leading the league with 2.2 steals. Since LA’s 13-3 run began on December 20, no player has scored more than Leonard’s 32.7 points per game.
play0:58Lakers fortunes turn as Reaves nears return
Dave McMenamin reports following the Lakers’ victory over the Nuggets.
Los Angeles Lakers
Lesson at the halfway mark: The defense is insufficient.
The Lakers have achieved a 13-1 record in clutch-time games this season. While this represents the best win percentage in the league, this late-game success has also allowed Los Angeles to exceed expectations. Not only are the Lakers being outscored overall this season, but their defense ranks 25th in the league, ahead of only Brooklyn, New Orleans, Sacramento, Washington, and Utah. This level of performance is inadequate for a team to be considered a serious contender, let alone to vie for home-court advantage in the playoffs, which is why sources anticipate the Lakers will prioritize perimeter assistance leading up to the trade deadline.
Memphis Grizzlies
Lesson at the halfway mark: Ja Morant may be on the trading block, but he isn’t contributing.
NBA teams are willing to tolerate a lot if players are worth it. Memphis’s decision to stick with Morant for this long has been a prime example. The fact that the Grizzlies are now open to trading him, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania earlier this month, indicates that the 26-year-old guard no longer holds that privilege. Any glimpses of Morant’s All-NBA caliber play — including his impressive performance on Sunday in London and his 40 points against the 76ers — have been exceptions in a season marred by career-low shooting percentages.
Miami Heat
Lesson at the halfway mark: Miami’s revamped offense has stagnated.
Miami’s new, free-flowing offensive style generated early-season excitement but has since dropped to 20th in the league in efficiency, mirroring the team’s performance over the past three seasons (21st, 21st, and 25th). Having only 11 games from All-Star guard Tyler Herro has contributed to the issue, but the Heat’s lack of a genuine offensive talent capable of elevating the team has become evident. Miami’s situation could be even more dire had the franchise not traded for All-Star hopeful Norman Powell, who is averaging 23.7 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Lesson at the halfway mark: No trade will restore the Bucks to contender status.
It is easy to view any roster featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo as a title contender, especially in this season’s open Eastern Conference. However, the results in Milwaukee have suggested otherwise. The Bucks, a consistent Eastern powerhouse thanks to Antetokounmpo for nearly a decade, have spent weeks outside the play-in picture. Although they have struggled with a dismal 3-11 record when Antetokounmpo is absent, they are just 15-14 when he plays. Given the franchise’s limited trade assets, a transformative move to build around the two-time MVP may not be feasible. “The Bucks should be tanking this season,” an Eastern executive remarked. “That would allow them to begin their rebuild with a high pick in a deep draft.”
Minnesota Timberwolves
Lesson at the halfway mark: Rudy Gobert is back in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
Gobert will turn 34 in June, but his status as one of the league’s most formidable defenders remains intact. Minnesota’s defense is 11 points per 100 possessions better when the French center is on the court. If Victor Wembanyama becomes ineligible due to falling below the 65-game threshold, Gobert, a four-time DPOY winner, could have the opportunity to break a tie with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo for the most in NBA history.
New Orleans Pelicans
Lesson at the halfway mark:
