Knicks tipped to lead NBA offences as Lakers make top three

The New York Knicks are projected to have the NBA’s best offence in 2025-26, ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers. Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets complete the top five in a ranking that predicts where teams will finish on offensive rating.

New York ranked fourth last season. The case for a move to first rests partly on its playoff attack, when Karl-Anthony Towns was used as a passing hub, and on the prospect of carrying more of those principles into the regular season.

Knicks lead a competitive top five

The Knicks have shooting and a relatively low-turnover offence, but Mitchell Robinson’s absence raises a question about offensive rebounding. They were only average in that area without him last season, although Andre Drummond should help.

Oklahoma City is placed second. The Thunder’s outlook includes the expected return of a healthy Jalen Williams and a full season of Jared McCain, while offensive rebounding remains a concern when Isaiah Hartenstein is off the court.

The Lakers sit third, with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves central to the projection. The ranking points to improved shooting options and the rebounding contributions Walker Kessler and Kevon Looney could provide, while identifying pace and the balance between offence and defence as questions.

Boston is fourth. The Celtics’ emphasis on three-point attempts, offensive rebounds and limiting turnovers remains a strength, but the ranking raises questions about Jayson Tatum’s first full season after a torn Achilles and the changes following Jaylen Brown’s departure.

Denver’s record keeps it in contention

Denver rounds out the top five. The Nuggets’ reliance on Nikola Jokić underpins that position: they have not finished below seventh offensively since he became a full-time starter, according to the ranking.

There are concerns about Denver’s three-point volume, depth and injuries. Even so, the assessment leaves open the possibility of another first-place finish if Aaron Gordon has a healthier season and DeMar DeRozan supplies the bench ball-handling the team needs.

What to watch in 2025-26

San Antonio, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Indiana and Utah fill places six to 10. Indiana is projected ninth, and the ranking expects the Pacers to start slowly as Tyrese Haliburton works back from an Achilles injury and Ivica Zubac settles in.

For the leading teams, the coming season will test whether New York can improve on last year’s fourth-place finish and whether Denver can finish first again. The ranking also reflects a wider NBA trend: last season produced the highest league-wide offensive rating in NBA history, alongside increases in pace and offensive rebounding.