A pressure-packed NBA season is on the horizon.

From players in new situations to those needing to prove themselves, there’s no shortage of storylines as basketball season tips off.

With the NBA returning to NBC and Peacock for opening night on Oct. 21 and Prime Video added as a new partner, the league will have a different look in 2025-26.

Here are 10 players to keep an eye on this season:

Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

It’s the first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers for Doncic, who has officially taken over the franchise. Despite LeBron James still being his teammate, it’s clear that Doncic is both the future and the present for the Lakers. After dropping weight and signing a max extension over the offseason, all eyes should be on Doncic.

Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Normally considered the 1B to Jayson Tatum’s 1A, the former Finals MVP will have to do it alone this year. Tatum is out with a torn Achilles, giving Brown his first chance to show what he can do as a No. 1 option. The Boston Celtics‘ championship roster has been completely slashed, but Brown remains the leading force.

Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

The No. 1 pick in the draft will always come with increased fanfare, but Flagg joins the Dallas Mavericks with heightened expectations. After trading away Doncic, Dallas struck gold in the lottery. Flagg is now on a ready-to-win roster, where he won’t be relied on as heavily as most top picks. How will he fit alongside Anthony Davis?

Cooper Flagg was formally introduced as a member of the Mavericks at a press conference in Dallas.

Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

Similar to Doncic, Butler was traded in the middle of last season. He hit his stride immediately, as the Golden State Warriors went 23-7 with him in the lineup to close the regular season. Seeing Butler play next to Steph Curry, Draymond Green and newly-signed Al Horford for a full season could be special — if the aging veterans can stay healthy.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Hopefully we can watch him play this season, right? The former league MVP suited up for just 19 games last year and 39 the year prior. Injuries have plagued the Philadelphia 76ers‘ center, but he seems to be OK entering the 2025-26 campaign. When he does play, Embiid is among the most skilled stars in the NBA.

Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks were the darling of the offseason, adding Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard — and hoping Jalen Johnson returns from injury. One player that didn’t get a new deal from Young, who can opt out of his contract after this season. This team represents Young’s best chance to make a deep playoff run since the 2021 conference finals run, but all the pressure is on considering his uncertain future.

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Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

We’ve been playing this game with Williamson since he was drafted first overall in 2019 — will he or won’t he stay healthy and in shape? Weight issues have hindered him throughout his career, and this could be his last chance to make it work in New Orleans. Still just 25 years old, Williamson has to prove he can make it through a full season.

Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

His significant other A’ja Wilson just won her third championship and fourth WNBA MVP for the Las Vegas Aces. What can Adebayo do to respond? The Miami Heat center is always one of the league’s best defenders, but his scoring has dipped in recent years. With Butler out of town, more of the offensive load should fall on Adebayo in a critical year for his career.

Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers

Like Brown, Nembhard is facing a season without his running mate. Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles will put Nembhard into the lead guard role for the Indiana Pacers. Fresh off another impressive playoff run that led to an NBA Finals loss in Game 7, Nembhard now needs to carry his usual postseason production across an 82-game season.

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons were the surprise of the NBA last season, going from 14 wins to 44 wins and giving the New York Knicks a scare in the first round. Cunningham led the way, making his first All-Star Game and Third Team All-NBA. What does he have in store for 2025-26? The 6-foot-6 guard just turned 24 last month, so he presumably could continue to level up.