We are deep into the 2025-26 campaign, where the volatility has been the only constant. From teams threatening historical win records to franchises already contemplating full-scale demolition, the league has offered a masterclass in early-season stress dynamics. Based on league-wide insights and performance data through mid-November, here is a breakdown of the definitive lessons learned from the NBA`s tumultuous first month.
I. The Unprecedented Pace: When Statistical Outliers Become the Norm
The beginning of the season has been defined by two statistical phenomena that defy modern NBA logic, both rooted in the Western Conference:
The Thunder`s Historic Dominance
The Oklahoma City Thunder are not just good; they are operating at a statistical altitude rarely seen. Currently holding a 15-1 record, their net rating stands at a staggering 15.3 points per 100 possessions. To contextualize, this mark is nearly three full points better than last season’s record-setting pace. Insiders are no longer speculating about playoff contention but about whether OKC can join the exclusive 70-win club—a feat achieved only twice in history.
The common consensus among rival executives is simple: 70 wins is realistically in play, contingent only on whether the organization chooses to prioritize the record over player rest late in the season. Remarkably, this has occurred primarily without All-NBA forward Jalen Williams.
The Rockets` Rebounding Revolution
In Houston, the lesson is less about the win-loss column and more about an obsession with second chances. The Rockets are grabbing more than 40% of their missed shots (40.5% Offensive Rebound Rate). This isn`t just leading the league; it`s shattering historical benchmarks. The gap between Houston and the second-place team is larger than the gap between the second-place team and the 16th-place team.
This absurd volume of offensive rebounds is the engine for a surprisingly effective offense, compensating for the fact that Houston is dead last in 3-point volume. When you miss a shot but get four out of ten back, shooting inefficiency becomes a secondary concern.
II. Organizational Stress Tests and the Trade Crucible
A month of real data forces organizations to confront uncomfortable realities, particularly concerning costly contracts and future direction. Several teams are already in deep contemplation about jettisoning high-profile talent.
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Atlanta Hawks: The Post-Trae Blueprint?
Trae Young`s recent knee injury offered an unintentional—and perhaps necessary—organizational experiment. Without their polarizing star, the Hawks went 7-2, and most critically, they ranked fourth in defensive efficiency. For a team that has never finished better than 18th defensively in the Young era, this immediately fuels speculation. As one executive noted, “The Trae Young situation is fascinating. They’re a totally different team with and without him.” This stretch is actively defining whether Atlanta`s future lies with its long-time franchise cornerstone or in pursuing a defense-first identity.
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Dallas Mavericks: The Davis Asset Depreciation
The long-anticipated Anthony Davis trade talks are heating up, but rivals temper expectations on the return. Given the scarcity of draft picks league-wide, and Davis`s monumental contract (over $54 million next season, escalating yearly), the Mavericks should expect a package closer to the `couple of solid players and a draft pick` variety, rather than the historic hauls received for Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell. Trading a max-contract star in this climate is less about maximizing value and more about mitigating future financial constraints.
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Memphis Grizzlies: The Evolution of Ja Morant
Ja Morant`s explosive rookie metrics are now relics of the past. The percentage of his shots taken within three feet has plummeted from nearly 40% as a rookie to just 15.4% this season. This dramatic shift away from high-flying finishes, coupled with no tangible improvement in his 3-point shooting (an abysmal 10-for-60 before his latest injury), suggests that the electrifying player who once symbolized Memphis`s championship trajectory is fundamentally changing. Consequently, sources anticipate Memphis will explore the trade market, facing challenges similar to Dallas in trying to extract value for a player with significant recent injury history and an altered playing style.
III. Vindication and Valuation: The Individual Leap
A month into the season, several players have dramatically increased their market value or validated organizational gambles. For these individuals, November has been less about team standing and more about future contract leverage.
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Deni Avdija (Portland): The All-Star Candidate.
When Portland acquired Avdija, the move was met with widespread confusion. Now, he is proving to be a colossal steal. Averaging nearly 26 points per game (a 10-point leap from his previous high), he is firmly in the All-Star conversation and has tied a franchise record for 30-point triple-doubles. The confusion has vanished, replaced by executive regret across the league.
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Norman Powell (Miami): The Perfect Fit.
After being unextended by the Clippers and acquired by Miami for minimal assets, Powell has experienced organizational oxygen. His career-high 25.5 points per game on an absurd 46% from deep have been essential, keeping the Heat competitive despite injuries to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Powell’s performance is a case study in system-fit, proving that last season’s production was no statistical fluke.
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Jalen Duren (Detroit): Proving the Price.
Duren and the Pistons were far apart on an extension before the deadline. Duren responded by putting up career-best numbers (20.6 points, 11.9 rebounds) and, crucially, making a massive defensive jump—lowering opponent field goal percentage at the rim from 62% to 53%. He is now a frontrunner for Most Improved Player and has likely guaranteed himself a significant raise as a restricted free agent next July.
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Lauri Markkanen (Utah): The Return to All-Star Form.
After taking a step back during Utah`s draft-focused 2024-25 campaign, Markkanen is back to an elite level, posting 30.6 points on 48.5% shooting. The fact that he is locked into a reasonably priced contract for three more years makes him perhaps the single most fascinating trade piece being monitored by league executives. If Utah decides to pivot, Markkanen`s impact potential is immense.
IV. The Teams Facing Reality Checks
Not all lessons learned are positive. Some teams are already confronting the severe limits of their current roster construction and organizational decision-making.
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LA Clippers: The Rapid Onset of Age.
The Clippers were widely favored as the superior Los Angeles team entering the season. However, injuries (Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal out) and the immediate decline of veterans (37-year-old Lopez, 40-year-old Paul) have demonstrated how swiftly veteran depth can depreciate. The result is a team struggling to stay relevant, potentially sending an unprotected lottery pick to Oklahoma City next spring—a painful, lingering consequence of the Paul George trade.
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Sacramento Kings: The Expensive Disaster.
Following a 3-12 start, Sacramento has devolved into disarray, leading to the benching of key veterans and injury issues. The blunt assessment from rival scouts is damning: “They’re expensive, bad, and aging.” With Domantas Sabonis now out and the defense being demolished nightly, the organization is facing profound questions about the job security of its new coach and the feasibility of trading high-priced, underperforming contracts like Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan.
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New Orleans Pelicans: Compounding Misfortune.
The Pelicans` 2-13 start and subsequent coaching change feel less painful than their asset management decisions. Insiders remain perplexed by the decision to trade away two high-value 2026 draft picks (one unprotected to Atlanta, one back to Indiana) just before Indiana`s star tore his Achilles. In a loaded future draft, New Orleans will have a high lottery pick but will receive none of the benefit, instead watching a spiraling season yield no long-term reward.
The NBA season is a marathon, but the opening sprint defines the terms of engagement. The first month has set the stage: for some, it has confirmed championship trajectories; for others, it has initiated a countdown to a complete roster overhaul.
