All-Star Weekend has passed, and teams are preparing for the second half of the season. At this point, we know who the true contenders are for an NBA title and which teams might “tank” (don't let Adam Silver hear that) for the loaded 2026 NBA Draft.
Will Detroit finish atop the East? Who emerges victorious in the “tank wars” for what could be the draft of the decade? Can Oklahoma City stay atop the West? Let’s dive in?
Will the Detroit Pistons finish with the NBA's best record?
Detroit has been one of the season’s biggest surprises, holding the Eastern Conference’s best record. The Pistons have beaten both the Knicks and Cavaliers four of five times this season.
Detroit combines elite defense, ranking second in the NBA defensive rating, with a top-10 scoring offense. All-Star big men Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart provide toughness inside and protect teammates with physical play.
Cade Cunningham has been the team engine, averaging 25.2 points, 9.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. His 40-point double-double against the Knicks reinforced his self-proclaimed title as the best “American player” in the league.
If Detroit finishes first in the East, it will be their first time since 2006-07. Barring a drop-off, the Pistons’ lead appears secure, with Boston trailing five and a half games.
Who will win the Tank Wars for the number one overall pick?
“Tanking” is rampant as teams position themselves for the historic 2026 NBA Draft. Top freshman prospects include BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson.
Louisville’s Mikel Brown, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, and Houston’s Kingston Fleming round out a class loaded with scoring talent. Five freshmen have scored 40+ points in a single game this season, an unprecedented feat.
Teams like the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, and Washington Wizards have rested players or faced season-ending injuries. The league fined Utah $500,000 and Indiana $100,000 for resting healthy stars, highlighting anti-tanking concerns.
Next season, the NBA plans to implement anti-tanking rules. Still, this draft’s depth makes bottoming out a tempting strategy. We will see who emerges victorious in a draft that appears to be historic.
Will the Oklahoma City Thunder win the West?
The Thunder started the season 24-1, chasing Golden State’s historic 73-9 record from 2015-16. Injuries have slowed them: Jalen Williams has played only 26 games, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Oklahoma City sits at 43-14, matching last season’s total losses, but the San Antonio Spurs sit three games back. The upstart Spurs are on an eight-game win streak and have the 16th-toughest remaining schedule, giving them a chance to supplant the Thunder, who have the second-toughest strength of schedule to close the season.
San Antonio has beaten the Thunder in four of five matchups this season, the most of any team. With SGA out another week and Williams awaiting re-evaluation, Victor Wembanyama and the precocious Spurs have a chance to dethrone their rival.
Will they do it? The 2026 season's thrilling conclusion should provide the answer to that question.