The Herd with Colin Cowherd Hoops Tonight - NBA Contender Rankings w/ Kevin O'Connor: Thunder & Nuggets BEST, sneaky Celtics, Lakers in top 10
Feb 13, 2026
Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo! NBA analyst and podcaster known for deep team evaluations, walks through 2026 contender rankings. He weighs Oklahoma City and Denver's top status. They debate Cleveland's Harden upgrade, Minnesota's upside, Boston's standing if Tatum returns, Houston's slide, and whether the Lakers and Spurs can realistically contend.
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Thunder Still Top Despite Flaws
- Oklahoma City remains the clear number-one contender despite flaws like guarded catch-and-shoot struggles and rebounding lapses.
- Their depth, defensive reliability, and optionality keep them atop the list even with injury concerns.
Jokic Shapes Denver's Identity
- Denver ranks second because Jokic's return reshapes both offense and defense and teams need time to re-adjust.
- Their core upside (Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon) and depth make them a top upset threat when healthy.
Deadline Moves Made Cleveland Deeper
- Cleveland jumped up after deadline moves, adding Harden, Keon Ellis, and Dennis Schroder to upgrade creation and perimeter defense.
- That mix gives them balanced shot creation, rim protection, and spot-up shooting to be the East's best bet.