The NBA’s top contenders are preparing for the 2026-27 season with title expectations, but even the league’s strongest teams have issues to manage. A review of the top 10 championship hopefuls highlights several under-the-radar concerns that could influence how those clubs approach the season.
Among the key themes are roster construction in the Western Conference, where several contenders may be working with new-look lineups, and contract-related questions involving major players such as Karl-Anthony Towns. Those situations add another layer to the challenge of maintaining continuity while competing at the highest level.
Contenders balancing ambition and uncertainty
For teams with championship goals, the margin for error is often narrow. Depth, chemistry, health, financial flexibility and long-term roster planning can all become significant factors over the course of an 82-game season and into the playoffs.
The focus on these concerns does not diminish the status of the league’s leading teams. Instead, it underscores the reality that contenders must address more than star power alone. As the 2026-27 campaign approaches, how those teams manage internal questions could be just as important as their performance against elite competition.