With the 2026-27 season underway, Oklahoma City, Minnesota, Houston, Indiana and Philadelphia each have a swing player who could reshape their championship chances. Ajay Mitchell must help replace injured Jalen Williams’ shot creation for the Thunder; LaMelo Ball must lead the Timberwolves while Anthony Edwards is out; and Alperen Sengun could give Houston a rare answer to Victor Wembanyama. Ivica Zubac’s fit in Indiana and Joel Embiid’s fit with Philadelphia’s faster lineup are also key questions.

By the Numbers
  • Mitchell is in his third NBA season.
  • Zubac and Tyrese Haliburton have played 52 minutes together.
  • Sengun shot 17-for-23 with Wembanyama as his primary defender last season and scored 29 points with 7 assists in their recent matchup.
  • Philadelphia ranks 27th in transition frequency and 21st in transition efficiency.
Yes, But

Each player’s upside comes with a real concern: Mitchell must prove he can create quality shots, Ball’s turnovers and decision-making could strain Minnesota’s identity, and Zubac’s lack of 3-point range may complicate Indiana’s spacing. Embiid remains effective, but his pace and role may not suit Philadelphia’s roster—and his contract makes a change difficult.

State of Play
  • Oklahoma City’s injuries have left a major gap in shot creation, putting more responsibility on Mitchell.
  • Edwards’ injury makes Ball central to Minnesota’s results and its developing team identity.
  • Houston sees Sengun as a potential matchup advantage against Wembanyama; Indiana is still building chemistry around Zubac and Haliburton.
  • Philadelphia is trying to reconcile Embiid’s slower style with a lineup built to run.
What’s Next

How these players develop, stay healthy and fit their teams’ needs could shape the playoff picture. Houston, in particular, may have a path to challenge San Antonio if Sengun can keep troubling Wembanyama and the Thunder remain weakened.

Bottom Line

Championship races often turn on more than established stars: they hinge on whether a team’s uncertain pieces can solve the specific problem standing between it and a title.