Analysis of the Biggest Weaknesses in NBA Rosters for the 2025-26 Season
With the NBA preseason almost complete and training camps on the horizon, teams have largely completed their rosters for the 2025-26 season. However, some squads still have significant gaps in their lineups. Some rebuilding franchises are looking to improve in the short term, limited by the new NBA collective bargaining agreement. Teams like the Golden State Warriors find themselves in a holding pattern due to restricted free agency. For title contenders, such as the current champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the absence of obvious problems is a sign of a well-built roster. On the other hand, for teams aspiring to reach that level, having a single gap might not be so serious, as long as it can be filled through internal development or a mid-season addition. Below, we analyze the biggest weakness of each of the 30 NBA teams.
The teams are listed in alphabetical order.Atlanta Hawks
Major weakness: Playmaking in the second unit. The Hawks’ offensive rating decreased by 10 points per 100 possessions with Trae Young on the bench last season. Although Atlanta has bolstered its second-unit play with the arrival of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, he is not a primary ball-handler. Alexander-Walker, starter Dyson Daniels, and newcomer Luke Kennard could share playmaking responsibilities when Young rests.Boston Celtics
Major weakness: Post play on both sides of the court.Between Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics had several reliable options at the center position in the last two seasons. Now, Boston starts anew. Neemias Queta has shown an ability to protect the rim and finish plays, while the Celtics are confident that Luka Garza’s skill will overcome his defensive limitations. Boston couldn’t rely on either of them to start a playoff game before this season.
Brooklyn Nets
Major weakness: Experience in game creation. After finishing with the sixth-worst record in the NBA last season, the Nets seem unwilling to take risks regarding a first-round pick in 2027. Inexperienced ball handlers are the easiest way to lose games, and after letting D’Angelo Russell go in free agency, Brooklyn’s point guard rotation will feature teenage rookies Egor Demin and Nolan Traore.Charlotte Hornets
Major weakness: Starting center. After trading Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns, the Hornets likely hope that second-round pick Ryan Kalkbrenner or Moussa Diabate will take on a starting role. Diabate, who signed a dual contract last summer, quietly dominated the offensive boards with 60% shooting, and Kalkbrenner was very productive at Creighton. Still, both seem better suited for limited roles.Chicago Bulls
Major weakness: Defensive disruption. The Bulls were second-to-last in forcing turnovers last season and traded Lonzo Ball, their steals-per-game leader, who averaged 1.3 in just 22.2 minutes. Isaac Okoro, acquired in exchange for Ball, has never averaged a steal per game. Chicago will depend more on a solid defense than on disruption.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Major weakness: Depth in the perimeter. At the end of the season, this could be a strength for Cleveland, which boasts All-Stars Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. With Garland recovering from foot surgery and Max Strus out until at least December due to a Jones fracture, the Cavaliers’ depth will be tested, especially given the inevitability of additional injuries occurring.Dallas Mavericks
Major weakness: Playmaking.As good as the Mavericks’ inside game is with the addition of Anthony Davis, someone needs to pass the ball to those players, the deficiency that put Dallas in a position to win the lottery and select Cooper Flagg. Until Kyrie Irving returns, the responsibility falls on D’Angelo Russell, who lost favor with the Lakers last season.
Denver Nuggets
Major weakness: Depth in the base position. This question became more difficult this summer when the Nuggets added Jonas Valanciunas, a proven backup for three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, and more shots. Denver is betting on Jalen Pickett, an irrelevant factor in last year’s playoffs, as Jamal Murray’s main backup. But newcomer Bruce Brown could handle those minutes in the postseason.Detroit Pistons
Major weakness: Safe ball handling. The Pistons ranked 21st in turnover rate last season, ahead of only two playoff teams, the LA Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies, and then lost one of their most secure ball-handlers, Dennis Schroder, who had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.2 with the Detroit Pistons. With Jaden Ivey as a backup point guard, my SCHOENE projection system predicts that the Pistons will have the second-worst turnover rate.
Golden State Warriors
Greatest weakness: Official contracts.
Due to the Jonathan Kuminga restricted free agency saga, the Warriors find themselves in the unusual position of having only 10 players under contract as training camp approaches. Golden State hopes to sign free agents Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton as soon as Kuminga’s situation is resolved.Houston Rockets
Major weakness: Depth in the base position. The Rockets hope that Reed Sheppard, the number 3 pick of 2024, can solve this problem in his second season. Sheppard played only 654 minutes as a rookie, struggling to maintain a regular role in the rotation. Houston can turn to veteran Aaron Holiday, who saw a bit more action last year, but the best outcome will be for Sheppard to win the position.Indiana Pacers
Major weakness: Pivot play on both sides of the court. Due to Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tendon injury, starting center Myles Turner agreed to terms with Milwaukee. Jay Huff can provide the shooting that Turner provided, while Isaiah Jackson, who is also recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, is a superior defender. Neither has proven capable of starting regularly.LA Clippers
Major weakness: Young contributors. Ty Lue will have many options after the Clippers were reinforced with veterans this offseason, adding Bradley Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Chris Paul. However, there is a big gap after the Clippers’ top 11 players. Kobe Brown and Cam Christie combined for only 331 minutes last season, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser, the number 30 pick, might not contribute immediately.Los Angeles Lakers
Major weakness: Defense on the ball. As powerful as the Lakers’ perimeter trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves is on offense, it has defensive limitations. Dorian Finney-Smith, now in Houston, served as the Lakers’ perimeter stopper after the deadline. They added Marcus Smart, but at this stage of his career, Smart might be better against big opponents than defending the point of attack.Memphis Grizzlies
Major weakness: Size of the wings. The Grizzlies were linked to Dorian Finney-Smith last season because they lacked a good matchup for bigger forwards. The hope is that Cedric Coward, the No. 11 pick, a physical 6-foot-6 forward, will change that, although he will likely need time to adjust to the NBA after playing two seasons in the Big Sky and only six games last season at Washington State.Miami Heat
Major weakness: Getting fouls. After trading away Jimmy Butler III, the Heat’s perimeter-oriented offense struggled to get to the free-throw line. Only the Celtics had a worse free-throw rate after the All-Star break, and Miami attempted just 13.3 per game in a first-round sweep by Boston, the second-lowest in playoff history… ahead of the 2024 Heat (12.0). Adding Norman Powell (4.4 FTA per game) should help.
Milwaukee Bucks
Major weakness: Reliable base game. It’s possible that the two-way guards could prove to be a bigger problem, but after Damian Lillard’s Achilles tendon injury and the club waiving him, Milwaukee is betting heavily on unproven point guards. Kevin Porter Jr. scored well after joining the Bucks in February, Ryan Rollins is a capable defender, and newcomer Cole Anthony adds good value. However, none of them seem like a starter on a contending team.Minnesota Timberwolves
Major weakness: Depth on the wings. After losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Timberwolves are confident that their recent draft picks will take on more important roles. Terrence Shannon Jr. tops the list after contributing in the conference finals and dominating in the NBA summer league before the 2024 lottery pick, Rob Dillingham. Disruptive defender Jaylen Clark is also an option.New Orleans Pelicans
Major weakness: Pivot. It’s concerning the amount the Pelicans invested in centers this summer, trading to select Derik Queen at 13th and signing Kevon Looney in free agency. Neither is a clear starter this season, which could leave New Orleans counting on Yves Missi, a 2024 first-round pick. Missi’s 55% shooting was poor for his average shooting distance of 2.8 feet.New York Knicks
Major weakness: More depth. Anticipating a wider rotation under new coach Mike Brown, the Knicks added Jordan Clarkson to the backcourt and Guerschon Yabusele to the frontcourt, but still only have nine players with proven contributions. New York re-signed Landry Shamet and could add Malcom Brogdon as another veteran option.Oklahoma City Thunder
Major weakness: New stadium.
The inauguration of the team’s new stadium across the street from the Paycom Center, which is scheduled to open in 2028, is slated for the first quarter of 2026. Certainly, that will leave a bigger hole than any in the roster of the current champions, who are getting their entire rotation back.Orlando Magic
Major weakness: 3-point shots.I could have given the same answer last year, but with much more urgency. Orlando hit 32% from the three-point line, the worst percentage by an NBA team since the 2015-16 Lakers. Adding Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones should help the Magic drastically, although 3-point shooting remains the biggest weakness in what appears to be a competitive roster.
Phoenix Suns
Major weakness: Base. The Suns hope that newcomer Jalen Green will start at point guard alongside Devin Booker, addressing the playmaking deficit that plagued them in 2023-24. Phoenix could be better off with Collin Gillespie, who averaged 9.6 points and 4.1 assists in nine starts last season, shooting 47.5% from 3-point range.Portland Trail Blazers
Major weakness: Depth in the base position. With Damian Lillard spending his first season back in Portland on the sidelines due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Blazers don’t have ideal options behind Scoot Henderson and newcomer Jrue Holiday. If either of them misses time, Portland could be better off using Deni Avdija as a wing-guard instead of the rehabilitation project Blake Wesley.Sacramento Kings
Major weakness: Frontcourt reserves. After trading Jonas Valanciunas for salary purposes, the Kings have many questions behind starters Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis. The traveler Drew Eubanks…
