Preseason Contender Tiers - Tier 2: Playing for Second Place & Tier 1: Deserving Favorites

2025-26 Season
Written By Sean Jones

Episode 99 - Oct. 24, 2025

In order to preview the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, let's discuss all 30 teams by grouping them into 10 tiers based on their prospects to contend this season. This is the sixth episode in the 6-part Contender Tiers series, discussing the following tiers:

Tier 2: Playing for Second Place

4) Cleveland Cavaliers (1:51)

3) New York Knicks (14:17)

Tier 1: Deserving Favorites

2) Denver Nuggets (27:52)

1) Oklahoma City Thunder (39:22)

Sean Jones
Next

Preseason Contender Tiers - Tier 4: Too Old, Too Injury Prone & Tier 3: Lurking, With Some Luck