Photo courtesy of Rene Schwietzke on Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
With a chaotic opening, rising stars, and FBI investigations, the 2025–26 NBA season is back with excitement from fans and surprises from teams.
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By Genesis Muckle
TAMPA, Fla. — It’s officially the NBA season, and we are off to an eventful start. With draft picks, unexpected injuries, and FBI investigations, the energy around this season is pure chaos on top of high stakes and intense competition. These first few weeks have set the tone for a wild season.
During the off-season, teams made bold trades, and the 2025 NBA Draft introduced one of the most promising rookie classes in years. The first draft pick included prospects such as the No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who signed with the Dallas Mavericks from Duke University, Dylan Harper, who signed with the San Antonio Spurs from Rutgers University, and VJ Edgecombe, who signed with the Philadelphia 76ers from Baylor University.
Beyond players, there have also been minor coaching changes and rule adjustments that implement the new “heave rule.” This new rule states that within the last three seconds of the first three quarters, a shot taken from at least 36 feet away from the basket is considered a team shot and not an individual one.
ESPN’s 2025–26 season preview shows that teams, including the NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the top team in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers, are two of the standout teams for this season. Early season predictions have shown that the Thunder has opened the season as fan favorites. There is expected to be a tight race for the playoffs in the Western Conference, with teams such as the Lakers and Celtics not far behind the champions.
As for individual players, top MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to elevate his game. During his 2024–25 season, he was ranked as one of the best individual campaigns in history. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, also an MVP candidate, has remained consistent with ESPN, saying, despite his loss to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic “had some otherworldly games in the series.”
The pick for MVP has already sparked a conversation. The majority pick has been Jokic; however, there are mentions of Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic being in the running. Some commentators have described Jokic as the “best player in the world,” noting he has become the third player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season. Some commentators believe that if Gilgeous-Alexander and the team finish well this season, he could surpass Jokic.
Defensive Player of the Year has been unanimously predicted to be Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. Despite only appearing in 46 games, Wembanyama has become the third player with a 5×5 game and a 10-block game. It is likely that if he reaches the league’s 65-game award eligibility threshold, he will become the fan favorite and win Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).
This season also has rising stars, including Flagg, who is gaining more attention and becoming a must-watch. Flagg is viewed as the most NBA-ready of his class. Flagg is known for his versatility as a defender and ability to guard the perimeter. His high motor allows him to consistently play at maximum effort.
Despite the excitement on the court, the NBA has recently been facing controversy over illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. The FBI investigation has raised concerns about the game’s integrity and shaken both fans and teams. While there are not many details on the matter, the NBA said in a statement to ESPN, “Protecting the integrity of our game is paramount, and we believe reasonable limitations on certain prop bets should be given due consideration.”
If the opening weeks are a preview of what the rest of the season will look like, we are in for a ride. The season has only begun, and despite the chaos behind the scenes, fans are excited about rising stars, powerhouse teams, and an unforgettable season.