Stephen A.: Warriors headed for first-round exit without Butler (1:40)Stephen A. Smith says he is “devastated” for Jimmy Butler after his season-ending injury and believes it will lead to a first-round playoff exit for the Warriors. (1:40)
We’re two weeks out from the NBA trade deadline and midway through the 2025-26 NBA season, as tensions are high on which star player will be on the move next.
The Detroit Pistons stand firmly at the top of the East, stretching their lead over the Boston Celtics to 5.5 games after an exhilarating (and potential Eastern Conference finals matchup) on Monday.
In the West, the LA Clippers appear to be on the rise, recently riding a six-game win streak behind a Kawhi Leonard and James Harden surge. It’s a wave they’re hoping to ride as the battle for the top six teams in the conference is starting to heat up.
As teams around the league are preparing for the second half of an already exciting season, our NBA insiders checked in on the biggest questions surrounding each franchise as they start turning their attention to April.
Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram) think teams belong.
Those who don’t believe in the Pistons as true contenders have been waiting for shooting and shot-creation deficiencies to doom the East leaders. Thanks to a hellacious defense, Detroit’s place among the elite remains safe. That has been especially true this month, as the team has given up a league-low 99.5 points per 100 possessions — eight points better than second-place Oklahoma City. And in fourth quarters this month, that number drops to 91.8. — Goodwill
This question will continue to hang over the Timberwolves until either the trade deadline passes or they add much-needed guard help. Rob Dillingham, to this point, hasn’t worked out, and Mike Conley isn’t a long-term solution. Tim Connelly, Timberwolves president of basketball operations, is known for making big swings, and it’s fair to expect him to pursue another over the next few weeks — Bontemps
Philadelphia has had a very encouraging first half of the season, settling into the middle of the muddled East playoff picture while continuing to get Paul George and Joel Embiid up to speed, and getting dynamic play from All-Star starter Tyrese Maxey and star rookie VJ Edgecombe. But will the 76ers look to improve the team, or to potentially duck the luxury tax? — Bontemps
A projected top-4 team in the East before the season, the Magic have not won more than four consecutive games this season and are only four games above .500. The good news is that the Magic are beginning to get healthy with the return of Moritz Wagner and Franz Wagner. The bad news is that the lineup of Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. has started only 11 games, going 5-6 in that span. — Marks
After losing 21 of their first 27 games, the Clippers’ turnaround has been remarkable in winning 13 out of 16. Their surge has landed them in the play-in tournament conversation, but can they elevate even higher in the second half? If Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanovic can get healthy, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue will have more options down the stretch, with Kobe Sanders, Kobe Brown and Jordan Miller showing growth in the meantime. — McMenamin
The Bucks are coming off a huge victory against the Hawks on Monday, a win that brings them to within striking distance of the No.10 seed and at least a spot in the East play-in tournament. But just sneaking in has not been the goal for the Bucks or superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Can the Bucks pull off a big trade at the deadline to build around Giannis and change their fortunes, or will they be able to put together a winning streak that can catapult the team up the standings? — Collier
In 1996-97, the Spurs fell from a 59-23 record the previous year to 20-62 amid a slate of injuries. But that lost season brought in No. 1 pick Tim Duncan — and, eventually, five titles — to San Antonio. Fast-forward three decades, and Indiana’s injury-plagued gap year might end up being worth it in the end, if the Pacers land a top prospect in the draft. — Kram
Despite a recent stretch of decent play, the Wizards are still nearly assured of finishing with a strong lottery position — and of retaining their top-eight-protected draft pick. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index projects Washington to finish with the NBA’s worst record. So the team’s biggest question, instead, is how much its new star acquisition plays as he works his way back from injury, and whether he can start to jell with his young teammates before the 2026-27 season. — Kram
Bad news for the best team in the league this week: Williams strained his hamstring and will sit out at least two weeks and possibly longer, according to the team. It has been a difficult season for Oklahoma City’s co-star. His wrist rehab required a second procedure; he acknowledged the challenges he faced rediscovering his game upon return, and now he’s staring at another lengthy absence. Without him, the Thunder will continue to rely on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sturdy depth, and the continued rise of Chet Holmgren, who appears destined to be the second obvious All-Star for the Thunder. — Slater
The Spurs appear to be up to the task. In the locker room after San Antonio secured its third consecutive win Monday, in the third straight game that Victor Wembanyama drained at least four 3-pointers, second-year guard Stephon Castle discussed how beneficial the All-Star break would be for a young team still learning how to handle success. Besides the physical rigors of the first half of the season, with several players sitting out extended time because of injuries, the Spurs have successfully overcome the mental dynamic of being a team with a target on its back. — Wright
Watson’s recent breakout presents key short- and long-term questions for the Nuggets. He has averaged an efficient 21.9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game to help the Nuggets go 7-4 since Nikola Jokic went down, using an increased role to display off-the-dribble creation ability. How can the Nuggets utilize that once the three-time MVP returns? And how can the Nuggets afford to keep Watson as the potential contract value rises for the pending restricted free agent? Rival teams anticipate the Nuggets could look to trade Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun this summer if Denver deems re-signing the 23-year-old Watson a priority. — MacMahon
After Tatum’s public workout in Detroit on Monday, the question for Boston isn’t whether Tatum plans to return, but how good he will look when he does. Boston’s push to second in the East and a 50-win pace at the halfway mark of the season is proof that the Celtics will believe they can make it back to the Finals this season, even with Tatum sitting out most of the season. But if he can return at even 75% of his usual caliber this season, Boston probably would enter the postseason as the East’s favorites to make it to June. — Bontemps
Coach Ime Udoka remains confident in the Rockets’ bullying style of play without a bona fide facilitator running the show. Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL in September, wants to return at some point this season. Until any potential comeback, young players such as Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason need to continue to make strides alongside Jabari Smith Jr. in Houston’s point guard-by-committee approach. Durant and Alperen Sengun will continue to draw extra attention, but the supporting cast needs to consistently make opponents pay. — Wright
There’s nowhere to hide now; the Knicks are nearing crisis, as being booed at Madison Square Garden against a depleted Mavs team might be a low point. Since owner James Dolan’s proclamation that the Knicks “absolutely have to” reach the Finals, New York is 2-6. Since winning the NBA Cup title in Las Vegas, the defense has given up 119.6 points per 100 possessions, second worst in the league to the Jazz during that span. But it is important enough to note that the Knicks are just two games off their pace from last season (25-18 this season compared to 27-16 through 43 games in 2024-25). — Goodwill
Every level of the organization was reeling in the aftermath of Butler’s ACL tear, only beginning to come to grips with the seismic short- and long-term ramifications. The timing of it provides an opportunity. The front office has two weeks to assess the best path forward before the trade deadline. Should the team get more or less aggressive? Which picks should or shouldn’t be on the table? Does this change the Jonathan Kuminga calculus? There are several options available, but — considering Butler’s outsized importance — it’s hard to envision any that lead them back to even fringe contention. This was a franchise-altering injury. — Slater
Toronto ranks second in the East and fifth overall in defensive rating. But despite many highly paid perimeter players, the offense hasn’t kept pace: On that end, the Raptors rank 9th in the East and 19th overall, and every team below them has a losing record. Typical championship contenders must be at least league average on both ends of the court, so Toronto needs to show meaningful offensive improvement — or make a significant deadline trade — to enter the true contender conversation. — Kram
After Sunday’s game against Orlando — the type of explosive performance that has made Morant one of the NBA’s most popular players — the star guard expressed a desire to remain in Memphis. That probably won’t stop the brass from surveying a potential trade, but given the Grizzlies’ collection of talent that includes Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey, this team could make a serious push for a play-in spot if Morant is committed to the cause and stays healthy. — Wright