- - NBA new year's resolutions: What we'd like to see from all 30 teams going forward this season

Steve Jones December 31, 2025 at 11:36 PM

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The new year is here and, as we keep pushing in the regular season, now we get to the fun part. We know about teams' identities, what they do well and what they struggle with. A new year brings a new opportunity, a new set of goals, a chance to reset. Let’s take a look around the league to see what should happen more (or less) for all 30 teams going forward.

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Atlanta Hawks

Show anything that resembles multiple efforts on defense. It would be more fun to highlight the career years from Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu if the Hawks were defending. Heading into the last day of 2025, the Hawks have lost 11 of their past 13 games with opponents averaging 127.2 points a night and shooting 50.4% from the field. The Hawks may want to keep the ball in front on closeouts and avoid overhelping; take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Boston Celtics

Practice mindfulness and live in the present. By that I mean Boston should stick with the process that’s pushed it to third in the East until the wheels fall off. Coach Joe Mazzulla has this team ready to compete on a nightly basis. The Celtics lead the NBA with the fewest turnovers per game (12.3), while 66.3% of their field-goal attempts and 64.4% of their points have come from Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons. Everyone else knows his role, takes the opportunity and works to contribute. Resist the urge to bring Jayson Tatum back, please.

Brooklyn Nets

Invest in yourself and what you have been doing. Seven of the Nets' 10 wins this season have come this month. In December, they have held teams to 104.6 PPG, which is about five points better than the second-ranked Clippers (and the Celtics and Thunder) in that span. So, continue to build, give the effort defensively, allow room for the young guys to grow and enjoy the bucket-getting of Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas.

Charlotte Hornets

Prepare for a shift or change. This is the year where you hand the keys to Kon Knueppel, leave no stone unturned to know what Brandon Miller is, and play Moussa Diabaté and Sion James to fill the gaps. You won’t have every answer, but it will be a letdown if you don’t find clarity.

Chicago Bulls

It’s time for a journey of self-discovery. We've gotten used to the Bulls having a level of star power but just competing for the play-in, only for them to pivot, play with more youth, pace and tempo and … compete for the play-in. This team has two five-game win streaks this season and two losing streaks of five or more, and I would just like to see what the next step is outside of fun offensive basketball.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Change the pattern at the start of the year. Whether it has been their defense lacking consistency, the offense generally being a whole lot of Donovan Mitchell and 3s, or injuries breaking their rhythm, this has not been where the Cavs thought they would be entering 2026. With Darius Garland and Evan Mobley both being healthy again, maybe the Cavs can look within and remember who they are as a team. If the defense gets back to a certain level, and if the offense is able to get defenses in rotation to generate good looks, a run can be had.

Dallas Mavericks

Understand the future is now. It’s Cooper Flagg’s team. The rookie's growth when it comes to aggression and patience is what the franchise needs to embrace for the rest of the season.

Denver Nuggets

Build off the momentum of early success. The Nuggets enter 2026 with four of their five starters injured. But early on they displayed a high level of versatility on defense and a unique connection on offense; don’t let go of the rope. Nikola Jokić has been incredible, Jamal Murray has stayed consistent, and Aaron Gordon’s usage has added a different layer. The Nuggets must build and maintain until they get everyone back.

Detroit Pistons

Show gratitude for the work you’ve put in and a belief that you have enough. No one expected the Pistons to be on top of the Eastern Conference to start 2026, so I’d resist the urge to swing for the fences and instead see how far this roster can take you. Cade Cunningham is one of two players in the NBA averaging 26-plus points, 9-plus assists and 6-plus rebounds (the other is Nikola Jokić), Jalen Duren has emerged as a consistent force, and the defense has elevated Detroit toward the top. Many a team has proven there is no problem with knowing exactly what you may need before you alter what you have.

Golden State Warriors

It’s time to shake up this sitcom. The Warriors started 4-1 and have been fighting .500 ever since. They shouldn’t be 4-6 when Stephen Curry scores 30 or more points. So, buy in to the little things on both ends of the floor. Offensively, find a way to execute to avoid clutch games. On defense, build a consistency to give yourself some wiggle room. Set Jonathan Kuminga free and move forward.

Houston Rockets

Fix the clutch-time issues and lock in your lineups. Kevin Durant’s shot-making has been way too good and important for this team to fall short. The two-man game with Alperen Şengün has paid dividends throughout the season. Understand the attention those two will receive and, whether it’s Tari Eason or Reed Sheppard, continue to make teams pay. Learn the lesson now and let it pay off down the line.

Indiana Pacers

Pascal Siakam, stay hydrated and get a journal for reflection. Everyone else, get well soon. Siakam has had an unbelievable year, but everyone misses Pacers basketball. I’m not sure the slippage on both ends is a proper reflection of who this team is at its core.

LA Clippers

Remember your identity. Kawhi Leonard has sent a reminder of exactly what he does, and James Harden remains one of four players in the NBA averaging at least 25 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. You need defense around that to give yourself wiggle room offensively. The efforts of Kris Dunn, Nic Batum and a resurgent Brook Lopez have reopened a door. If that doesn’t move you, just feed Kawhi whatever he has been eating for the last two weeks.

Los Angeles Lakers

Commit to habits that give you the best chance to win long term. We have seen brilliance from Luka Dončić, consistent growth from Austin Reaves and a return of LeBron James. At the end of the day, though, this team has limitations on the defensive end that it needs to take off the table. When the Lakers work to keep the ball in front, show early help and make multiple efforts defensively, they give themselves a chance. When they don’t, the margin for error is slim to none. If they want to make the most of their early start, they have to recommit to the little things.

Memphis Grizzlies

Find an in-between on offense. The Grizzlies have found success within their offensive system, but must mix in what Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. bring to the table. The movement and flow has worked for pockets of the system; now add the drives of Morant, add the versatility of Jackson and make it all come together.

Miami Heat

Continue to mix in pick-and-roll. The Heat lead the NBA in drives per game (61.9), with their ability to space the floor and continuously flow into drive-and-kick being the base of their offense. Adding more pick-and-roll for Norman Powell is a way to get defenses to react when they are able to keep the ball in front; keep Bam Adebayo involved; and flow into what’s kept pressure on defenses early on this season. It's helpful to have pick-and-roll in your back pocket when size and length are keeping the drives in front.

Milwaukee Bucks

Try their best to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo from leaving. It’s the start of a new year, full of new possibilities and good vibes that fill the room like a humidifier. If the Bucks can keep Antetokounmpo from leaving, whatever other resolution I’d put here would be the equivalent of committing to going to the gym and hitting snooze on the alarm clock on Day 2.

Minnesota Timberwolves

It’s Anthony Edwards' time. There will be some bad losses, there will be some great wins, and the offensive improvements will be felt once the defense hits a consistent level. But Edwards is on a mission. Trust and believe in that.

New Orleans Pelicans

Entrust Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears with minutes to grow. Fears always looks to get downhill, and Queen’s playmaking and driving ability open up movement. That should allow Trey Murphy and Herb Jones room to attack and get in the paint. Throw in the sudden nature of Zion Williamson attacking space, and you have a recipe to be an annoying team in the second half of the season.

New York Knicks

Keep a balanced diet offensively. The commitment to pace, tempo and flow has empowered the Knicks' roster. Seven Knicks players average 10 or more points per game. In December, the team had five or more players score in double-digits in 10 out of 13 games. The Knicks are 14-2 on the season when they have 28 or more assists and 9-0 this season when they have 30 or more assists. Jalen Brunson has led the dance, but consistent production throughout the team has allowed the Knicks to thrive.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Keep doing everything you've been doing (and do it better against the Spurs). This is a disruptive defense and a decisive offense led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's Most Valuable Player.

Orlando Magic

Keep the faith offensively. The Magic went from averaging 120.9 points a night in November to 112.9 in December and, according to NBA.com, went from having the seventh-best offensive rating in November (119.5) to 26th in December (111.2). Desmond Bane’s drives and playmaking have been key, the aggression from Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black have helped elevate them, and the tempo opens room for quicker decisions from Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. If they can get back to the decisive, out-of-the-mud offense, things could pay off in the playoffs with their defensive potential.

Philadelphia 76ers

Commit to putting together the puzzle pieces. The Sixers have one losing streak of three games or more and one winning streak of more than three games. Tyrese Maxey has been a constant force on offense with his scoring and speed. A commitment to drive-and-kick and movement has opened a window for VJ Edgecombe to consistently contribute. It also gives wiggle room as Paul George returns to form. Live for the nights where you see Joel Embiid looking to drive the basketball and protect the rim. If they can put it all together, they may not be a team people want to see in the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns

Stay low-key, stay under the radar. The Suns have quietly become a team no one enjoys facing. The defensive effort stands on its own, and Devin Booker has been moved around the court to attack in different areas. Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale have been key cogs of the lineup, and Dillon Brooks is no longer just staring you down in warmups; he’s staring you down with 3s and pull-up jumpers. The task was to be annoying; keep doing it.

Portland Trail Blazers

Get the next steps from Shaedon Sharpe. A defensive base has been established in Portland, but the Blazers must ensure that their promising 22-year-old guard puts together the athleticism, scoring and playmaking with patience.

Sacramento Kings

“The things which hurt, instruct.” Read all the inspirational quotes you can, hope you can get as much development from Keegan Murray as possible and don’t notice the DNPs surrounding Keon Ellis and Malik Monk at various points.

San Antonio Spurs

Nail down the blend of your talent and swing for the fences. Why not? Victor Wembanyama has been on a mission all year long. In his absence, they found 48 minutes of guard play from De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Get the most out of that, and keep pressure on offenses knowing Wemby can protect on the back end. The Spurs have defeated the Thunder three times; harness that and push forward.

Toronto Raptors

Keep your balance offensively. RJ Barrett’s return from injury should slot everyone into their roles and get the Raptors back toward the level they displayed early. They can have a stronger starting lineup and better balance as they stagger. Those lineups should allow them to unlock Scottie Barnes as a roller on top of his ability to drive the basketball. Brandon Ingram’s shotmaking has continuously drawn attention from defenses and balanced the Raptors' attack when they need to make plays.

Utah Jazz

Get back to winning games at home. In my 38 years on this earth, the Jazz have had a losing record at home only three times. Trust the offense and do the thing that will keep Will Hardy from cussing you out on social media.

Washington Wizards

Get buckets. Never stop getting buckets. Never ever stop getting buckets.

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Source: “AOL Sports”