With that, Flashscore takes a look at six key talking points ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder repeat?
The Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed a truly phenomenal 2024-25 season, finishing top of the Western Conference with a 68-14 record, before going on to win just their second-ever NBA title with a suffocating defence and the relentless point scoring of reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Their next goal will be to create a dynasty and go back-to-back. However, that has proven extremely difficult for several top teams in recent memory, with the Golden State Warriors in 2018 the last team to repeat.
But OKC are set up well. They have a young team that will only get better, and they now have the experience of being champions. It will be hard to stop them.
Can the New York Knicks finally reach the NBA Finals?
The New York Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season for the first time since 2000, but their quest to win an NBA championship 52 years after their last one ended with a 4-2 defeat to the Indiana Pacers.
After that loss, the Knicks opted to fire their most successful coach in decades, Tom Thibodeau, to the surprise of many. Now with Mike Brown at the helm, their goal will certainly to be to reach the NBA Finals.
With the Boston Celtics losing Jayson Tatum and going through a rebuild year, and the Pacers losing Tyrese Haliburton, the Knicks now look the strongest team in the Eastern Conference, so the opportunity is certainly there for them. Can they take it?
Can Kevin Durant be the difference-maker for the Rockets?
The Houston Rockets were a really exciting, impressive young team last season, securing a second-place finish in the Western Conference, defined by their relentless, top-tier defence.
Players like Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson announced themselves on the big stage, but once they came up against a highly-experienced Golden State team in the playoffs, they fell short due to their lack of scoring and pedigree at the highest level.
Enter, Kevin Durant.
One of the greatest players and point-scorers in NBA history, the Rockets acquired the 37-year-old in a mega seven-team trade, hoping that he would be the man to take them over the line.
Instantly, they became one of the favourites for the title with his acquisition. However, a season-ending injury to Fred VanVleet really dampened all excitement for the Rockets.
They remain a major contending team though, and will surely look to replace him in the coming months. With Durant, the Rockets will feel like they can go all the way.
Can Cooper Flagg lead the way for a new-look Mavericks?
Unless you are living under a rock, it has been a wild 18 months for the Dallas Mavericks.
From reaching the NBA Finals in 2024, to trading away their franchise superstar Luka Doncic, to winning the NBA Draft Lottery and picking generational talent Cooper Flagg despite being given a 1.8% chance, it has been a rollercoaster ride for Mavs fans.
The team looks totally different to what it did in 2024. The outfit put together now has been built on strong defensive foundations, size and physicality, with Anthony Davis - who was included in the Luka trade - leading the way.
Flagg, Davis, Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall and PJ Washington are players that should make them really strong on the defensive end. However, questions remain over whether they will be strong enough offensively with Kyrie Irving out until January.
A lot of the burden will fall on 18 year old rookie Flagg, who has looked great in pre-season. They are certainly going to be an interesting team to watch.
Can Luka Doncic take up the mantle of LeBron James?
While Luka left the Mavs against his will, he had to settle for a move to arguably the biggest and most decorated NBA franchise: the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was a stop-start 2024-25 season for the sensational Slovenian, struggling with injury and coming to terms with being forced out of a team he loved. However, this year he is ready to go and make a real mark.
The fact of the matter is, LeBron James is ageing and not the force he once was physically, and will miss the start of the season with injury. His future remains up in the air too, while talk of retirement continues. It is time for Luka to take up the mantle of LeBron and make this team his.
He is unequivocally one of the best players in the NBA, and one of the most effortless point scorers and playmakers. The Lakers should be a strong team offensively, and new centre Deandre Ayton should link up with him well.
Whether they are good enough defensively remains a major talking point. But regardless, it is Luka's time to make the Lakers his.
Can Jokic or Giannis win a second title?
It is probably fair to say that Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the best two players in the world. The former is a three-time NBA MVP and an NBA champion, while the latter is a two-time MVP while also being an NBA champion.
Both superstars are otherworldly talents and are likely already amongst the best 15 players in NBA history. However, for players of their calibre, they probably need a second title to their names to truly secure a legacy that puts them into the upper echelons.
Both the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks reconstructed their rosters around Jokic and Giannis, respectively, with the former look especially strong. A second NBA title for either of these players would be monumental.