A month into the new NBA season, drama is already forming around the league. Stars players are in turmoil, juggernauts are emerging, sleepers are rising, and tankers are tanking with enthusiasm. It is still early, but the storylines forming now will shape everything from the trade deadline to the 2026 playoffs.
Here are five questions defining the season so far, as put forward by our very own Aaron Rose.
1. Which Star Players Will Dominate Trade Talks?
Several big names are already hovering around the rumor mill, but none is more complicated than Ja Morant. Following his early-season suspension, Morant simply has not looked like the same player. His three-point shooting has cratered, his rim pressure has dipped, and he no longer has the explosive burst that once defined his game. Memphis has been a mess to start the year. If they shop Morant, what is his value now, and which team will be confident enough to gamble on his upside?
LaMelo Ball is another young star whose name has surfaced in talks. The talent is undeniable, but the impact is debatable. Ball continues to take difficult shots, offers little resistance on defense, and has yet to prove he can drive winning basketball. Charlotte may finally decide it is time to move on rather than run back another reset around him.
Then there is Anthony Davis. The Mavericks have stumbled out of the gates, ownership has already fired general manager Nico Harrison, and the franchise appears ready to build around Cooper Flagg long term. If Dallas commits to a teardown, Davis becomes one of most powerful trade chips on the market. His availability could reshape the league in an instant.
2. Are the Raptors for Real?
No one expected the Raptors to look like this. Toronto has channeled the Blue Jays’ unexpected rise and turned it into one of the biggest early-season surprises in the NBA. Everything is working. The energy is strong, the chemistry is real, and the basketball has been far better than projected.
The addition of Brandon Ingram has transformed Toronto’s half-court offense. He brings creation, scoring versatility, and a level of shotmaking the Raptors have lacked for years. Scottie Barnes has taken another step forward, playing at an All-Defense level while anchoring the team’s identity on both ends. Bodog lists him at +100 to make the All-Star team, and if he continues at this pace, an All-NBA appearance is not out of the question.
Most importantly, the team is healthy, something that has rarely been true in recent seasons. With a full lineup and a renewed sense of purpose, Toronto suddenly looks like one of the best teams in the East. The question now is whether they can sustain this level once the grind of the season sets in.
3. Is It OKC and Denver’s Championship to Lose?
The early signs point to yes. The Thunder look every bit like the defending champions. Their defense is suffocating and ranks first in the league by a significant margin. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing with total control, dominating games with an unbelievable cast of characters around him.
The only team close to matching their dominance is Denver. Nikola Jokić has found yet another gear, playing with a level of control and creativity that feels almost unfair. With Jamal Murray healthy, the Nuggets look like one of the most complete teams in the league. At this moment, it feels like these two teams are headed for an inevitable Western Conference Finals rematch.
4. Who Else Is In the Mix for a Championship?
Several teams have emerged as legitimate threats behind the favorites.
Houston is playing one of the most fascinating styles in the league. The Rockets take very few threes and instead use their size to bludgeon opponents on the offensive glass. They miss, rebound, and score again. It is bully ball at its purest form, and so far it works.
In Detroit, Cade Cunningham has taken a superstar leap, leading the Pistons to the top of the East and signaling that the franchise may finally be turning the corner after years of struggle. The question is whether they push their chips in at the deadline or allow this group to grow naturally.
Cleveland and New York remain waiting in the wings. Both have dealt with injuries, but when healthy, each has the star power and defensive backbone needed to climb the standings. And never count out LeBron James. If he stays healthy, the Lakers with Luka Doncic and an emerging Austin Reaves have a chance.
5. Can the Pacers Pull Off the Perfect Tank?
No team deserves the No. 1 pick more than Indiana after last year’s Finals heartbreak, when Tyrese Haliburton’s injury robbed the world of a full Game 7 and possibly a Pacers championship. Now, with the team stumbling and the roster reshuffling, Indiana appears firmly in the hunt for the top pick in what is considered a loaded 2026 draft.
Landing that pick would complete the cleanest one-year reset imaginable. A future built around Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, a blue-chip rookie, and a deep supporting cast would be terrifying.
The challenge is the competition. Washington is awful. Brooklyn is collapsing. Sacramento has stumbled badly. All three will battle Indiana in the race to the bottom. The stakes could not be higher. One ping-pong ball could reshape the next decade of basketball in the East. The question now is can Indiana finish the job?