Early exhibitions offer a glimpse at the league’s next wave of stars while established names conserve energy.
The NBA preseason often carries little consequence, but this year’s rookie class has injected genuine intrigue. Top pick Cooper Flagg dazzled in his Celtics debut with 19 points and defensive poise beyond his years, while Bronny James showcased improved shooting and court vision for the Lakers. San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, entering his sophomore season, continues to look like a franchise-shifting force, anchoring the Spurs’ new 5-out offense.
Veterans, meanwhile, are treating preseason like a soft runway. LeBron James played limited minutes, Steph Curry skipped an entire road trip, and the defending champion Nuggets are experimenting with bench depth behind Jamal Murray. Still, the overall tone feels optimistic: offensive spacing is up, pace is faster, and even preseason crowds are responding.
The analytics community notes a shift toward hybrid forwards who can initiate offense—Flagg, Scoot Henderson, and Jabari Smith Jr. exemplify this trend. As teams lean into positionless ball, the line between guard and wing continues to blur. The 2025–26 campaign may not just be about who scores most—but who adapts fastest to the league’s evolving geometry.