Central Division preview capsules
Teams listed in predicted order of finish.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2025-26 record: 52-30, second in Central, lost to Knicks in Eastern Conference finals
Head coach: Kenny Atkinson, third season in Cleveland (116-48 record)
Coming and going: There were a lot of goodbyes in Cleveland after the Eastern Conference finals loss. The Cavs are replacing Max Strus, Dean Wade, Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis and Larry Nance Jr. They welcome Meleek Thomas, Mario Hezonja and Khalifa Diop.
Numbers to crunch: It’s going to be a while before the Cavaliers get over losing out on a third run with LeBron James. Cleveland opens the season with a visit to the 76ers on Oct. 22, when James makes his Philadelphia debut. On Nov. 6, James returns to Cleveland.
Breakout player: The Cavaliers brought back their four core players by re-signing James Harden and keeping Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. To complete the band, Cleveland acquired Peyton Watson from the Denver Nuggets. Watson might not lead the NBA in jersey sales, but the Cavaliers value almost everything he brings to the table. In 40 starts last season, Watson averaged 17.3 points and shot 43.0% from 3-point range for Denver. He didn’t shoot well but had 21 points in a loss to Cleveland in January.
2. Detroit Pistons
2025-26 record: 60-22, first in Central, lost to Cavaliers in Eastern Conference semifinals
Head coach: J.B. Bickerstaff, third season in Detroit (104-60)
Coming and going: John Collins, Isaiah Joe and Gary Harris jumped on board with the Pistons, who are clearly looking for a certain type of role player to round out a contender roster. None will fill the versatile role Tobias Harris did. The Pistons also lost Caris LeVert and Isaiah Stewart, a strong interior defender and enforcer for MVP candidate Cade Cunningham.
Numbers to crunch: Interior defense was one of the Pistons’ strengths last season. Opponents shot 54.2% in the paint, which made the Pistons No. 3 in the NBA. Stewart is gone but the Pistons are well-anchored with Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren.
Breakout player: Thompson. Energy personified. Thompson is an elite perimeter defender and doesn’t have to be a constant creator as the sidekick to Cunningham on offense. Joe is a darkhorse for this category. He made 181 3-pointers for the Thunder in a limited role last season.
3. Indiana Pacers
2025-26 record: 19-63, last in Central, missed playoffs
Head coach: Rick Carlisle, sixth season of second stint in Indiana (176-234)
Coming and going: He’s baaaack. Tyrese Haliburton returns from a ruptured Achilles in the 2025 NBA Finals and might need a minute — or a month — before we see the same playmaking flair and pace he brought to the floor to make Indiana fly as Eastern Conference champions. Without him, the Pacers were 14th in the East last season. Rookie Braden Smith and veterans Larry Nance Jr. and Kelly Oubre offer intriguing rotation options.
Numbers to crunch: Indiana ranked No. 28 in offense last season, and the absence of Haliburton was a major reason. In five NBA seasons, he has averaged 17.5 points and 8.8 assists per game. With him on the court, the Pacers’ assists, field goals and 3-point field goals per game were all significantly better. Ivica Zubac should be a big boost on the other end of the court. A 2024-25 NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection, Zubac is also a strong defensive rebounder who can help initiate Indiana’s transition offense.
Breakout player: There are two natural options here, both of whom stepped into greater responsibilities last season. Jarace Walker knocked down 3s more consistently in the second half of the 2025-26 season and averaged 14.4 points after the All-Star Break. Andrew Nembhard was the maestro who moved up from second chair when Haliburton went down. He has a knack for big moments and isn’t afraid of getting his nose dirty.
4. Chicago Bulls
2025-26 record: 31-51, fourth in Central, missed playoffs
Head coach: Tiago Splitter, first season in Chicago
Coming and going: No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson is only the latest to be hailed as the potential linchpin to Chicago’s turnaround. The Bulls still have miles to travel to move from fringe contender and play-in postseason option to where they believe they can go, but the division is rising as a collective, increasing the difficulty for this iteration of the Bulls. Nic Claxton and Norman Powell were added, and the Bulls are new in multiple reserve positions with Billy Donovan out.
Numbers to crunch: Not your father’s NBA and perhaps not your big brother’s either, defense does still matter for contenders. Chicago allowed 121.5 points per game in 2025-26 but with a young core, making a sharp improvement in that area will be a steep climb.
Breakout player: Matas Buzelis. Drafted 11th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Buzelis has the skill set to excel. He made progress in a starting role and could take another leap under Splitter, who appreciates his European-style approach and edgy persona.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
2025-26 record: 32-50, third in Central, missed playoffs
Head coach: Taylor Jenkins, first season in Milwaukee
Coming and going: Giannis Antetokounmpo is gone via trade to the Miami Heat. He took Bobby Portis with him, and that’s a loss the Bucks can withstand. A whole new identity has to be created and Jenkins can use Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis — all acquired from the Heat for Giannis and Bobby — to get the reboot started.
Numbers to crunch: Milwaukee-born Herro is being cast as a leading man in the city. Whether he thrives in this role after playing second fiddle to Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and others in Miami could be a riddle without an immediate answer. The real test is chemistry with old and new teammates and holding up physically as the player circled on every opponent’s scouting report. When Herro doesn’t have the hot hand, what is Plan B …
Breakout player: … the breakout player, Ware, has to be the second option. A 7-foot with the hands and feet to be more than a finisher, the underrated skill for the first eight in the likely Milwaukee rotation is passing ability. If Ware works, he’ll get fed.
–Field Level Media
