Multiple NBA Playoff Teams Expected to Miss 2026 Season Due to Injuries, Trades

The 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up with a clear divide between championship contenders and teams stuck in a frustrating middle ground, often referred to as NBA purgatory. Franchises like the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls exemplify this middle ground, having fallen from recent success and struggling to find a clear path to contention despite possessing talented rosters. Meanwhile, analyst Jason McIntyre highlights six teams as top title contenders next season: the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder, noting factors like roster continuity and key acquisitions such as the Lakers pairing LeBron James with Luka Dončić. However, injuries and significant roster changes have cast uncertainty on some playoff teams; notably, the Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Miami Heat are considered among the most likely to miss the postseason in 2026 due to pivotal player injuries and trades. The Pacers, for example, face a tough rebuilding phase after losing star guard Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles injury and trading away center Myles Turner. Thus, the upcoming season promises a mix of established contenders and teams undergoing transition, with the playoff landscape poised for potential surprises.