There will be plenty of familiar faces donning new jerseys on Monday when NBA media days unfold from coast to coast.
LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo headline a group of six 2026 All-Stars who changed zip codes this summer. In all, 15 players with at least one All-Star selection in the past five seasons are set to take the court for new franchises. (This number includes Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard, who changed teams last season but have yet to play due to injuries.)
To make sense of all that furious player movement, let's run through the eight most intriguing newcomers for the 2026-27 season.
Note: These rankings consider each player's talent, his fit with his new team and other factors such as contract implications and championship expectations. Rookies have been excluded from this list.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat
Granted, Antetokounmpo's move to Miami didn't generate as much discussion as Luka Doncic's 2025 trade to the Los Angeles Lakers or LeBron James' latest decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Yet the two-time MVP deserves top billing from an intrigue standpoint; he was easily the best player to change teams this summer.
In fact, the "Greek Freak" was the only player in the top 12 of this year's NBA Rank who didn't return to the team he played for in 2025-26. And despite an injury-plagued final campaign in Milwaukee, the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo is still in his prime and was an All-NBA First-Team selection in 2024-25.
For those reasons, Antetokounmpo should face real championship expectations. He's about the same age as Shaquille O'Neal was when he joined the Heat in 2004, a move that paid off with a title two years later. Reaching the Finals at some point over the next four years seems like a reasonable benchmark for Antetokounmpo given that Jimmy Butler III led Miami to that stage in 2020 and 2023.
From a basketball standpoint, the Heat must continue building around a pair of star big men in Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo -- a strategic dilemma that's rare for contenders in the pace-and-space era.
Both players possess enough versatility to function together at a high level, but their partnership is bound to look different from any of Antetokounmpo's old Bucks teams or past editions of Adebayo's Heat. Miami could prove to be imposing, clunky or both.
Finally, Antetokounmpo's decision to virtually eliminate the 3-point shot from his scoring arsenal will make him a fascinating test case as he progresses through his 30s. The league's most successful elder statesmen in recent years include James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Chris Paul, all of whom relied on the outside shot to extend their primes.
Is it possible to age gracefully and avoid recurring injuries while plowing through defenders on a nightly basis? Or will the Heat help Antetokounmpo discover useful adjustments that extend his prime and his team's championship window?
2. LaMelo Ball, Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota's trade for Ball looks like one of the wackiest gambles in recent memory.
The Timberwolves had two problems entering this summer: They needed another ball handler to play alongside franchise guard Anthony Edwards; and they needed to shake up their core after a disappointing second-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The 25-year-old Ball could be the answer to both. He's an All-Star point guard who manufactures a steady stream of highlights with crisp handles, deep shooting range and a fearless approach to running the offense. By replacing Julius Randle's jackhammer drives with Ball's balletic approach, the Timberwolves are headed for an undeniable aesthetic makeover.
While Randle's playoff struggles became frustrating and predictable, it's possible that Ball's tenure winds up being frustrating and unpredictable. The 2020 lottery pick never reached the playoffs in six seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, and it's unclear whether his signature looseness will be an asset or a liability in high-pressure moments.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has a major philosophical decision: Should he step back and "let LaMelo be LaMelo" or try to rein in Ball's worst impulses with a heavier hand?
Even if Edwards and Ball hit it off, there's also the question of whether Minnesota can shapeshift after years of winning with brute force. Losing Randle (to the Brooklyn Nets) and Naz Reid (to the Hornets in the Ball trade) from a physical frontcourt rotation could present new challenges that the Timberwolves' star guards can't solve. Regardless, this is a must-see chemistry experiment featuring one of the NBA's most volatile elements.
3. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
As soon as James and Jaylen Brown joined a 76ers core that featured Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, Durant crowned Philadelphia as a "contender." But two related questions will determine the new-look 76ers' fate: How will they share the ball and how will they share the credit (or blame)?
Though Philadelphia's talent is undeniable, major sacrifices will be required from all the key stakeholders to fulfill Durant's optimistic proclamation.
Embiid is accustomed to being the face of the 76ers, Brown savored the extra attention he received last season as the Boston Celtics' solo star, and James sought a change of scenery after his partnership with Doncic on the Lakers left him unsatisfied with a tertiary role.
Meanwhile, Maxey has a strong case as Philadelphia's best player despite being the youngest and least accomplished member of the core four. That's a lot of competing interests that must align on short notice.
James has a long track record of making it work with star-studded rosters in the NBA and with USA Basketball. Still, the scope of his fame has a way of overshadowing his teammates. Chris Bosh, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis all came to terms with that dynamic and have championship rings to show for it, but the 41-year-old James is at a much different stage of his career than he was in 2012, 2016 or even 2020.
For the 76ers to reach their ceiling, James must cede some authority and function as a pass-first point forward who keeps everyone else involved. Embiid will need to be comfortable with maximizing his scoring efficiency while taking fewer shots. Brown should plan to recommit to handling high-level defensive responsibilities.
James set a deferential tone on his "Mind the Game" podcast last week, saying he "want[ed] to try to help [Embiid] get that first [championship]." That's a promising start, but it's best to brace for twists and turns as Philadelphia's stars get to know each other.
4. Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
Davis technically qualifies as a "newcomer" because he never suited up for the Wizards after a February trade from the Dallas Mavericks. During the extended wait for Davis' debut, it was tempting to wonder if the Wizards make sense for him as a long-term home.
There are at least two obvious elephants in the room. First, Davis has been eligible to sign a four-year, $276 million extension, but he hasn't yet reached a new agreement with the Wizards. Second, the 33-year-old big man is seemingly at the point of his career where he would like to play for a contender, but the Wizards are fresh off a 17-win campaign.
The Wizards were smart to hold off on extending Davis given that he has appeared in less than half of his team's games over the past three seasons. Eventually, Washington will need to pay up or trade him.
Keep a close eye on Washington's frontcourt dynamic. In a best-case scenario, 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa provides a jolt of athleticism and reliable scoring while Davis and 2024 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr form a fearsome shot-blocking duo.
Alternatively, Davis, Sarr and Dybantsa could wind up getting in each other's way in spacing-deficient lineup combinations, and their lack of shared experience could make it difficult to establish a strong defensive identity.
After winning the draft lottery and trading for Young and Davis, the Wizards must quickly show progress in the standings. Otherwise, the outside chatter about Davis' future will intensify.
5. Ja Morant, Portland Trail Blazers
Blazers fans know exactly what they're getting from Damian Lillard when he returns to the court after a lengthy Achilles rehabilitation. After all, the Rip City icon spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Portland, where he sealed two playoff series with buzzer-beating 3-pointers and became the Blazers' all-time leading scorer.
The same can't be said for Morant, whose surprise trade left many observers scratching their heads. Where does Morant fit in Portland's guard-heavy rotation? Will he start or come off the bench? Why did the Blazers decide to give Morant a second chance after his Memphis Grizzlies tenure fizzled out due to multiple suspensions and repeated injuries?
Even though Morant is only 27 years old, he should approach this season as a crossroads moment. Without a dependable jumper to make his life easier, the two-time All-Star must think hard about how he can reliably contribute to a winning team over the next five years.
Does Morant need to shift from a score-first to a pass-first mentality? Should he more carefully choose his spots to attack the basket to improve his night-to-night availability? Should he embrace life as a sixth man like former MVP guard Derrick Rose did at a similar point in his career?
If Morant doesn't rethink his role or evolve his style of play, he will put himself at risk of a John Wall-esque early decline.
6. Jaylen Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
Brown's unexpected move to the 76ers recalls the old line about air travel: "Once you sit in first class, it's hard to go back to coach."
The 2024 Finals MVP paid his dues during his 10-year run with the Celtics, gradually transforming from a second-unit rookie into a veteran MVP candidate. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury for most of last season, Brown posted career highs in points and shot attempts, and his 36.2 usage rate ranked second leaguewide. Only Doncic used a greater share of his team's possessions.
Unfortunately, there's nowhere for those numbers to go but down: Embiid, Maxey and James all averaged more shots last season than Derrick White, who ranked second on the Celtics in field goal attempts.
But Brown's step-by-step rise in Boston makes him uniquely qualified to handle his new surroundings. The five-time All-Star has experience as a first, second and auxiliary option, and he defied many critics by striking a successful "1A and 1B" balance with Tatum during the 2024 championship run. He also is accustomed to playing with unforgiving title-or-bust expectations.
While the Celtics needed every bit of Brown's career-best offense last season, the 76ers will rely more on his elasticity.
When Embiid and James inevitably miss time due to injuries or rest, Brown should enjoy a bright green light. But when Philadelphia is at full strength and shots are harder to come by, Brown must relish the chance to show off the other aspects of his well-rounded game.
7. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
It took some patience, but Leonard wound up as one of the offseason's biggest winners: He escaped an NBA investigation into his endorsement deals with a relative slap on the wrist (a $700,000 fine) and then landed a two-year, $115 million extension from the Toronto Raptors after a long-delayed trade with the LA Clippers.
As the Clippers juggle league-mandated suspensions for their owner and front office executives and plan for a future without five forfeited first-round picks, Leonard gets to settle into a much better basketball environment. The Raptors returned to the playoffs last season thanks to a top-five defense, and now they'll plug in Leonard as a clear upgrade over Brandon Ingram.
Toronto doesn't need the 35-year-old Leonard to rekindle the franchise-changing impact he had during the Raptors' 2019 title run. With Scottie Barnes in place as the team's centerpiece, Leonard will be cast as a designated scorer whose playoff experience and shotmaking could help the Raptors win their first playoff series since 2020.
Some observers will view Leonard as a mercenary given the sordid ending to his underwhelming Clippers tenure, and there's no question that the investigation will leave a lasting stain on his reputation. Still, he salvaged the difficult circumstances with a savvy change of scenery.
In Los Angeles, he was unable to deliver a Finals appearance and unwilling to serve as a dependable leader. In Toronto, he just needs to get buckets and give the rising Raptors a fighting chance against the East's best.
8. Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers
While Kessler is the only player on this list who hasn't made an All-Star team, the 7-foot-2 center became one of the NBA's biggest X factors thanks to an offseason sign-and-trade that sent him from the Utah Jazz to the Lakers.
Lakers team president Rob Pelinka explained last week that he went all-in on Kessler due to a "scarcity" of two-way centers. The final terms to land a quality rim protector and a lob target for Doncic: a four-year, $130 million contract for Kessler and a boatload of first-round picks and swaps to the Jazz.
That's a massive bet on a player who appeared in just five games last season due to a shoulder injury, but it's one that Pelinka was "very comfortable and confident about" given the lack of obvious alternatives and the ever-present urgency to build a contender around Doncic.
Here's what's so tantalizing about that bet: It could work brilliantly or backfire spectacularly.
Doncic excels at getting the most out of play-finishing big men like Kessler, and he needs a dependable back-line anchor to cover for his defensive lapses. With Doncic and Austin Reaves serving as a dynamic one-two scoring punch, the Lakers could boast a top-five offense despite losing James in free agency. If coach JJ Redick can scrape together an average defense around Kessler, that should be enough for the Lakers to win 50 games and make some noise in the playoffs.
But the Lakers are perilously thin at center behind Kessler, and their frontcourt rotation is largely lacking in proven difference-makers. Los Angeles can no longer count on James to pick up the slack on offense when Doncic misses time, and any extended absence for Kessler has the potential to send the season off track. With the Lakers' ownership situation in flux, there's no telling what the fallout would look like if the costly Kessler acquisition doesn't pay immediate dividends.
