5 NBA Stars Who Could Win Their First Championship In 2026

5 NBA Stars Who Could Win Their First Championship In 2026 originally appeared on Fadeaway World.

In today’s NBA, there’s a new wave of superstars still waiting for their first taste of championship glory. They’ve made All-Star teams, led deep playoff runs, and put up historic numbers, but none have secured that elusive ring. With the league in transition and traditional powerhouses shifting, the 2025-26 season presents a rare opportunity for several top-tier talents to finally break through.

Whether it’s a change in scenery, a new supporting cast, or the culmination of years of development, these five stars are in a prime position to end their championship droughts next season and finally hold the Larry O'Brien trophy for themselves.

Luka Doncic: Los Angeles Lakers

After years of falling short in Dallas, Luka Doncic enters 2025-26 with a fresh start in Los Angeles and more motivation than ever. Now surrounded by a deeper, more structured team and fueled by a summer of transformation, Doncic is on a mission to prove he’s not just one of the best players in the world — he’s a winner.

With Anthony Davis departed and LeBron James moving into a secondary role, the Lakers are Luka’s team now, and if his revamped leadership in EuroBasket is any indication, he’s taking the challenge seriously. If he can carry that mindset into the season, the Lakers could emerge as true title contenders, and Doncic could finally add “champion” to his résumé after averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in his first 28 games in Los Angeles.

Donovan Mitchell: Cleveland Cavaliers

After two underwhelming playoff exits with the Cavaliers, Mitchell enters the 2025-26 season with something to prove. Despite trade rumors swirling for over a year, the All-Star guard opted to stick it out (for now) with a Cavs team that’s finally showing signs of cohesion. With Evan Mobley taking a leap, Darius Garland re-committing to his role, and a bolstered supporting cast, the Cavaliers might quietly be one of the most dangerous teams in the East, even after back-to-back years of early playoff exits.

Mitchell has already proven he can score in bunches (career average: 24.7 points per game) and take over in big moments. But if he wants to shake the “can’t-get-over-the-hump” label, he’ll need to put together a playoff run that leads to real contention. This could be the year he silences the doubters and potentially locks in a long-term future with a ring-ready squad. It doesn't hurt that the East is in a weakened state right now, with the Pacers and Celtics dealing with major injuries.

Anthony Edwards: Minnesota Timberwolves

Following back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves are already knocking on the door of title contention. They’ve got the experience, the size, the depth, and most importantly, a rising face of the league in Edwards. Still just 24, he averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season while taking on the league’s best and outplaying some of them head-to-head.

Now with more confidence and continuity than ever before, Minnesota may have the perfect storm to finally break through. The West is undeniably stacked, but if Edwards continues on his current trajectory (and the Wolves stay healthy), a title run isn’t just possible, it might be inevitable. Beyond Edwards, the key to Minnesota's victory rests on the shoulders of Rudy Gobert, who is the final line of defense in the paint. They might also want to find a point guard to stabilize the backcourt.

Jalen Brunson: New York Knicks

Since arriving in New York, Jalen Brunson has elevated his game to elite levels, averaging 26.0 points and 7.3 assists last season while leading the Knicks to their second straight 50-win campaign in 30 years. Tough, composed, and wildly efficient, Brunson has emerged as the heart of the franchise and one of the most respected closers in the league.

With a strong supporting cast that includes OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and a deep bench, New York has quietly built a team capable of making a run. If the Knicks can stay healthy and avoid another playoff letdown, Brunson could be the leader who finally brings a title back to Madison Square Garden. He'd be a hero to the city and immortalized forever as their greatest modern-day superstar.

James Harden: Los Angeles Clippers

Now 35 years old, James Harden is no longer the MVP-caliber scorer he once was, but he’s evolved into a crafty, playmaking-first guard who still holds immense value. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists while taking a backseat to Kawhi Leonard. With Paul George now gone and Bradley Beal in the mix, Harden may be asked to take on a bigger load again, but the potential reward will be worth it.

In truth, the Clippers aren’t as stacked as they once were, but they’ve got more than enough talent to make noise in the West, and Harden remains one of the smartest offensive minds in the game. With elite role-players such as Ivica Zubac, Nic Batum, John Collins, and Brook Lopez, he might be the catalyst that brings everyone together. If he can stay healthy and deliver one more postseason run, a long-awaited ring could finally validate one of the most polarizing careers in NBA history.

The Race For A Ring

For Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and James Harden, the 2025-26 season represents a defining moment. Each player is chasing validation, legacy, and the ultimate prize: an NBA championship. Whether they’re rising stars in their prime or veterans running out of time, the stakes have never been higher.

With the league as deep and unpredictable as ever, this could be the year one of these stars finally breaks through. The only question now is: who wants it the most? Each of these players has the talent to lead a title run, but championship glory requires more than stats; it demands leadership, grit, health, and a little bit of luck. Whether it’s Luka elevating the Lakers, Brunson lighting up the Garden, or Harden making one last push with the Clippers, all eyes will be on the journeys ahead.

Related: 5 NBA Contenders Who Are One Move Away From Winning A Title

This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared.