Lakers-Mavs? Pacers-Knicks?! Ranking the top 10 NBA rivalries to watch next season

ESPN’s Zach Kram is ranking the NBA’s most compelling rivalries to follow as the league heads into the 2026-27 season, arguing that some rivalries endure while others fade depending on playoff clashes. The list highlights matchups shaped by history, geography and shifting player connections after major offseason movements. At No. 10, Kram points to the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers as a rivalry boosted by the Luka Dončić trade in 2025 and the Lakers’ 3-0 record in subsequent games. He also cites the presence of Cooper Flagg around Dončić’s former teammates. The write-up continues with entries like Dan Gilbert vs. Mat Ishbia and Nikola Jokić vs. Victor Wembanyama, framed as stylistic battles.