Will there be a new NBA championship team in 2026?

A third of the franchises in the NBA have yet to taste the sweet flavor of sporting glory that comes with a championship title. In an era where building winning dynasties is difficult, it seems that soon this list of teams could diminish with a new ring winner. Will it happen this upcoming season?

It may seem surprising, but a total of 10 NBA franchises still have not experienced winning a title. The competitive format of the league has led to a democratization resulting in multiple champions throughout history. However, there are still small markets struggling to build competitive teams, as well as franchises showing clear growth in recent years. It does not appear straightforward for a new champion to emerge in 2026, but there are possibilities.

Notably, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers stand out. Both teams have already built a competitive identity, possess recognizable rosters, know each other well, and harbor great ambition. The fate of the Angelenos could be affected by Kawhi's situation, while in Minneapolis, there are hopes that Edwards will make a qualitative leap in his game.

The other title-less teams in their history do not seem to have what it takes to change that in 2026. Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz are in full rebuilding mode, New Orleans Pelicans are far from realistic championship aspirations, Memphis Grizzlies have regressed in their progression, and Phoenix Suns aim to regain form but lack the necessary pieces for glory.

Special mention goes to Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic. The former came close last year to capturing the desired title, but their chances this season will be greatly diminished by Haliburton's injury. There are hopes in Florida of building something significant, though more so looking two or three years ahead rather than an immediately conquered title. Ultimately, it would be odd if by this time next year, there were not still ten NBA teams without championship titles in their history.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Habrá una nueva franquicia ganadora de un anillo NBA en el 2026?