The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.
2025-26 finish
Record: 53-29 (3rd in the East, won NBA Finals)
Offseason moves
Draft: Jack Kayil (No. 39), Tyler Nickel (No. 47)
Signings: Jose Alvarado (re-signed for 3 years, $14.5 million), Mo Diawara (re-signed for 4 years, $10 million), Landry Shamet (re-signed for 4 years, $24 million), Andre Drummond (1 year, $3.9 million), Jordan Clarkson (1 year, $3.9 million)
Key departures:Ariel Hukporti (signed with 76ers), Mitchell Robinson (signed with Celtics), Jeremy Sochan (signed with Trail Blazers)
Preseason Power Rankings: No. 3
What’s exciting: The one piece New York lost is Mitch, which obviously hurts. Robinson is a lob threat and a rebounder, and offers rim protection. But I’m weirdly intrigued by the possibility that the frontcourt could be better this year. For one, the Knicks finally figured out how helpful it is to play through Karl-Anthony Towns during the playoffs. I’d imagine that carries into this season. Secondly, what if Drummond actually is an upgrade? He’s a better passer, decision-maker, shooter, and rebounder than Robinson. He’s also not as prone to injury. Maybe Diawara also gets some minutes playing power forward next to one of the bigs. There’s a chance Robinson is severely missed, but maybe the Knicks end up better.
What’s concerning: The simple fact that the NBA has crowned different champions for eight-straight years is a pretty simple concern. Repeating is really, really hard. And plus, New York’s dominance in the playoffs makes it easy to forget how frustrating the Knicks could be during the regular season. The offense went through stagnant stretches, the defense was up and down, and even in the first round it all felt like it would be another frustrating ending. So while a championship showed New York’s upside, it wasn’t too long ago we saw the downside either. — Kevin O’Connor
Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27
Fantasy watch
It’s all about KAT not getting paid. Negotiations are “nowhere close,” per Chris Haynes. The Knicks also said they would pause on negotiations until later in the season. Not great, but also not actionable, since it’s not like Towns won’t play. — Dan Titus
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season
2026-27 schedule
Opening week: 10/20 vs. 76ers, 10/23 at Boston
Betting perspective
52.5 — win total
+175 to win division
+1000 to win NBA Finals
Best case, worst case
Best case: No. 1 seed
The defending champs, fresh off one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history, are returning nine of their top-10 players in playoff minutes per game. Continuity, good health, and a heightened level of consistency on the defensive end would put the top seed in play.
Worst case: No. 6 seed
Regular season boredom could be enough for them to slide down the standings in a tougher Eastern Conference. Within that lens, I’d keep an eye on how consistently they hit the right notes defensively. — Nekias Duncan
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