NBA Southwest Division Preview 2025-26

Kevin Durant (YouTube)

In the fifth of a six part series leading up to the commencement of the 2025-26 NBA season, we will take a look at each division in the league. Here is the Southwest Division.

Big Storyline

Each team in this division has a similarity–and that is the health of their superstar. The bottom line is there is a gigantic question if Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets, and Anthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks can stay healthy. The team that gets through the season without having an issue to their impact player could just finish first.

Most Notable Acquisitions

There are three notable new players inside the division. They are power forward Kevin Durant   of Washington, D.C., point guard D’Angelo Russell of Louisville, Kentucky, and guard Jordan Poole of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Russell, who averaged 12.6 points per game this past season with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, signed a two-year deal worth $13 million. Durant, who averaged 26.6 points per game, was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets. Poole, who averaged 20.5 points per game, was traded from the Washington Wizards to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Division Outlook

The Rockets are considered the division favourite. However, the reason why they would be number one in my opinion is because Ime Udoka is an excellent coach and would know how to maximize the production of the 37-year-old Durant. Memphis, Dallas, and San Antonio could bee tightly bunched with New Orleans in last place.