2025-26 NBA Preview: The Central Division is Rooted in Tradition

The NBA‘s Central Division is one built on legacy—legacies of greatness, legacies of broken hearts, legacies of past glory, and legacies of losing. The Central has won a total of 13 NBA championships (Bulls-6, Pistons-3, Bucks-2, and Cavs-1). The only team in the division to not win an NBA title is the defending Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers… though they won three ABA titles (1970, 1972, and 1973) before the leagues merged in 1976.

Chicago Bulls

The Windy City gets gusts of greatness leftover from Jordan’s six rings… The Bulls have not had any reason to celebrate in a decade. Their last playoff series win came in 2015. Since then, they have played musical stars with a revolving door of draft picks and veteran outcasts. This year will be more of the same. Don’t expect to see another running of the Bulls any time soon. They won’t even make it out of the Central Division.

The Bulls’ front court is underwhelming at best. 14-year veteran Center Nikola Vucevic is still the man in the middle, mostly due to Chicago’s inability to land his replacement. Vucevic isn’t a typical Center; he would rather hang out behind the 3-point line than bang bodies in the paint.

Forward Matas Buzelis is the future of this team. He averaged 13 points per game as a rookie. Should Buzelis struggle, Patrick Williams will pick up the slack. He has a solid mid-range game and can also knock down threes. But since they needed help up front, the team drafted French Forward Noa Essengue, who will contribute on defense while the rest of his game catches up.

At the trade deadline, the Bulls sent All-Star Zach LaVine to Sacramento and gave the keys to Coby White and Josh Giddey. White stepped on the gas and put up All-Star numbers after the trade, scoring almost 23 points and 4.5 assists per game. Giddey was brought in before the season from the Thunder.

While fans pumped the brakes on the decision, the payoff soon became evident. After the All-Star break, Giddey averaged 21 points, nine assists, and 10.7 rebounds per game. Fans are giddy to see what Giddey has in store this season. Kevin Huerter, who came over in the LaVine trade, averaged over 13 ppg and could see his numbers improve in 2025-26.

The Bulls have a lot of young talent, which brings potential. They’re potentially a few years and a few players away from joining Jordan and company, but don’t write them off completely. Chicago will finish last in the Central Division.

Still, if the team can dupe someone into taking Vucevic and his expiring contract off their hands, and their young nucleus develops as hoped, they potentially could finish as high as third. Though they won’t win a bunch of games, they will be fun to watch. I expect White to become an All-Star this season in Head Coach Billy Donovan’s fast-paced offensive scheme.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland is known for two things: rock and roll and some guy named LeBron James… James left and won two chips in Miami, then returned to Cleveland. He led the Cavs to four-straight NBA Finals appearances, winning their only title in 2016. They haven’t made the Conference Finals since James left for the bright lights of Los Angeles in 2018. In this tough Central Division, this current Cavs ensemble has the talent to win it all.

Jarrett Allen is the man in the middle. He is a durable and dependable scorer, rebounder, and defender with talent bigger than his afro. Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, is as complete a player as they come. He averaged over 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and almost two blocks per game.

DeAndre Hunter came over mid-season from Atlanta. He averaged 14 ppg and shot 42.6% from three-point land but hasn’t panned out as hoped as a defender. Max Strus was injured early last season and had an off year. He will split small forward minutes with Hunter. Ohio-born, Larry Nance Jr. returns to Cleveland, where he played from 2018-21, as a backup big.

As great as the Cavs front line is, their back court is even better. Point Guard Darius Garland had toe surgery in the off-season and might miss the start of the season. Last season, he averaged 20 points and 6.7 assists per game. Expect him to pick up where he left off before his injury.

In his absence, the team will turn to newly acquired Lonzo Ball, who has also battled injuries. Donovan Mitchell posted an impressive 24 points, five assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game, earning first-team All-NBA honors last season for the first time in his career, joining Mark Price and that LeBron guy as the only Cavs players to accomplish that feat. 2025-26 should be no different.

The Cavs have a gorilla on their back after winning 64 games and a number one seed last season, only to suffer a season-ending loss to the Pacers in the Round 2 of the playoffs. Head Coach Kenny Atkinson won the NBA Coach of the Year award but came into training determined not to have the season end with repeat of last year. This stacked unit might be better than the 2016 championship team. Cavalier fans have something to believe in again. You better you can bet on Believe-land in 2025-26. They are the best team in the Central Division.

Detroit Pistons

Professional sports teams from the Motor City haven’t seen much success in the past few years. The Lions and Tigers are good, but not good enough to win the big one, and I almost forgot that Detroit had a hockey team since the Red Wings haven’t made the playoffs in ten years.

This Pistons team is a lot like a crock pot; they have been slowly cooking a championship team, one ingredient at a time, for years, but they still need more seasoning if they want a winner, winner chicken dinner. The Central Division is cooked if the young Pistons start heating up.

This team is young and talented but greatly underwhelming. Center Jalen Duren averaged a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. Swingman Ausar Thompson chipped in 10 (points) and 5 (rebounds) per contest while showcasing his versatility as a defender. 14-year vet, Tobias Harris, is the unsung leader of Detroit’s youth movement.

He may be AARP eligible, but dude can still score, averaging nearly 14 ppg. Duncan Robinson was brought in from Miami to add some much-needed offense off the bench. Second-year Forward Ron Holland showed his upside in the Las Vegas Summer League, and Isaiah Stewart provides strong bench D.

Cade Cunningham is the face of the Pistons. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team and an All-Star. He finished tied for 7th (with Anthony Edwards) in MVP voting and led Detroit to its first playoff appearance in six years, while posting averages of 26 points, nine assists, and six boards per game.

Shooting Guard Jaden Ivey was scoring 17 per contest before a fractured left fibula cost him most of his season. He looks to rebound to his old form. Journeyman Caris LeVert will add shooting and defense from the bench. Backup Point Guard Marcus Sasser will see limited minutes behind Cunningham but can score when needed to.

Detroit brought in Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff last season after he was unceremoniously fired by the Cavs. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure… He fit Detroit like a glove. The team improved in all aspects of their game. The Pistons’ defense jumped from 30th (last) in the league to 10th.

Their high-octane offense blasted from 27th to 14th. Expect them to be a top-ten offensive team this season with Ivey back in their lineup. With a healthy team, they should be running on all cylinders. They will be fun to watch. Cade and company are the third-best team in the Central division. Expect another first-round playoff exit, though.

Indiana Pacers

When I think of the Indiana Pacers, I think of two hands firmly clasping Reggie Miller’s throat as he habitually squeezed the life out of the New York Knicks. I am too young to remember the Pacers’ dynasty of the 70’s; I wasn’t even born yet. Reggie Miller in a televised Sunday afternoon game is a core basketball memory.

16.4 seconds left, down by six, ball in Reggie’s hands… 8 points in 8.9 seconds, Pacers steal a two-point win from the Knicks. That is the Pacers’ legacy. Last year, Tyrese Haliburton channeled his inner “Killer Miller” as he clutched his throat and choked out the Knicks’ championship hopes in six games, cementing a new legacy.

Longtime Center Myles Turner unexpectedly jumped ship to Central Division rival Bucks, which leaves a gaping hole at Center. Undersized (6’9″) big man Isaiah Jackson missed most of last season with a torn Achilles but should start the season in the middle.

He is a great defender and runs the floor well. Pascal Siakam is the most skilled big man on this team. His success will be the catalyst for how far Indy goes. Defensive-minded Small Forward Aaron Nesmith shot the lights out in last year’s playoffs, hitting six 3-pointers in the 4th quarter of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Obi Toppin and Johnny Furphy will add athleticism and scoring off the bench.

Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton’s game is the stuff legends are made of. He ignited Indiana into the NBA Finals, before tearing his Achilles in Game 7. Replacing Haliburton is veteran guard Andrew Nembhard, who has mostly played off the ball as a defensive stopper.

The starting Shooting Guard position is Bennedict Mathurin’s spot to lose. The third-year player showed what he could do as a scorer, averaging 16 ppg as the team’s third leading scorer. Veteran guard T.J. McConnell will miss about a month to start the season. He is Indy’s top reserve guard due to his high energy and basketball IQ. Third-year player Ben Sheppard will see some minutes at the 2 and 3.

Rick Carlisle is among the best Head Coaches in the league. He is a winner everywhere he has coached. If anyone can salvage a season without their best player, Carlisle can. I expect Indy to be competitive, but they are not the best team in the Eastern Conference this season; in fact, they are probably fourth in the Central Division, unless Reggie Miller has one more run in him…

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are a franchise of eras. In 1971, the team won with a dominant, Hall of Fame 7-footer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and in 2021, they won with a dominant, future Hall of Fame 7ish-footer, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both were the most dominant players at their positions. Both won two MVPs before their 26th birthdays. When Giannis is healthy, the Bucks are one of the toughest teams in the league.

After some self-reflection, Antetokounmpo has dedicated himself to winning, rather than chasing personal achievements, and that will be a problem for anyone facing him. Last season, he averaged league-leading 33.4 points and 11.9 boards per game… It’s crazy to think that he could improve on that.

Myles Turner was signed to protect the rim, be a stretch-five, and open the paint for Giannis to do his thing. The team traded for Kyle Kuzma last season. He is a versatile defender who spaces the floor and drives to the hoop. Veterans Bobby Portis and Taurean Green are the top Forwards off the bench. Both are excellent defenders and scorers.

With the departure of Damian Lillard, the Bucks’ backcourt had a void to fill. Filling that void is Kevin Porter Jr., who has shown a good rapport with Antetokounmpo because of his playmaking and scoring. He will get plenty of chances to stand out as a Point Guard. Gary Trent Jr. will hold the other guard spot due to his strong defense and knock-down shooting. Guards Andre Jackson Jr. and Gary Harris will provide defense off the bench, while Cole Anthony made his name as a dependable reserve playmaker and scorer.

Head Coach Doc Rivers has a championship resume, hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2008 while coaching Boston. The Bucks have the tools to win another NBA chip this season. They won the NBA’s in-season tournament, the NBA Cup, last season with Antetokounmpo winning the tourney MVP. The only team better than Milwaukee in the Central Division is Cleveland, but as long as Giannis is wearing a Bucks jersey, they will be at the top of the division.