NBA title hopes put champions and contenders under pressure

The New York Knicks enter the 2026-27 NBA season trying to retain their title, while the San Antonio Spurs must respond to losing to them in the Finals. Those two teams sit among a wider group facing questions about whether they can turn strong rosters and individual talent into championships.

The Knicks are attempting something no team has managed in the past eight seasons. Golden State, in 2017 and 2018, were the last back-to-back champions. New York also have contract discussions with Karl Anthony-Towns and Josh Hart on hold, with a team spokesperson saying the club will not negotiate extensions until later in the season.

Stars with something still to chase

Steph Curry has committed to Golden State on a two-year, $115 million extension, saying he took less than the $137 million he could have received to give the Warriors room to improve. He has said the team “should be competitive and go win”, although Jimmy Butler is recovering from an ACL injury and Kristaps Porziņģis has dealt with injuries and health issues.

Denver face a different problem. Nikola Jokić already has a championship and three MVP awards, but the Nuggets’ thin bench and limited flexibility complicate another title bid. Peyton Watson, a breakout wing for Denver last season, is now in Cleveland.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is seeking a fresh start with Miami after leaving Milwaukee. The Heat went out in the play-in last season and lost in the first round in each of the previous two campaigns. “I want to leave my mark,” Antetokounmpo said of his time with the team.

A crowded race in the East

San Antonio have time on their side despite the Finals defeat. Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle form part of a young Spurs group expected to remain competitive, but Wembanyama acknowledged that the loss has been difficult to put behind him.

Detroit and Cleveland also have questions to answer. The Pistons lost to the Cavaliers in the second round after spending much of the season atop the Eastern Conference standings, while Cleveland’s run to the conference finals ended in a sweep by the Knicks.

Toronto have brought Kawhi Leonard back from the Los Angeles Clippers and signed him to a two-year, $115 million extension. His availability is a concern: he played 65 games last season but has cleared the 60-game mark only three times in the past decade.

What comes next

The Eastern Conference race leaves little room for error. The Knicks, Sixers, Celtics, Raptors, Cavaliers, Pistons, Heat, Pacers, Hawks and Hornets are all presented as teams with playoff expectations, meaning two of them would fail to advance from the play-in if all reached that stage.

In the West, Oklahoma City remain deep after a conference finals defeat by the younger Spurs. Denver’s chance to add another title means going through the Thunder and Spurs, while Golden State are trying to build one last run around Curry.