Old Faces, New Places: NBA Players on New Teams for 2026-27

Imagine if you were a diehard NBA fan who somehow slipped into a coma after the 2026 NBA Finals. Thoughts and prayers.

But thankfully you wake up just four short months later, vibrant and clearheaded.

Soon after you wake up, though, you realize the timing was fortuitous. The 2026-27 season is just about to tip off with a triple-header on Oct. 20, and you’re itching for some hoops.

So, you offer a round of hugs to your family and check to see if you still have a job before deciding to settle into the normalcy of your favorite professional sports league. You flip on the TV, and then it hits you.

There’s not a whole lot normal about the start of this season. Just look at the jerseys some of your favorite players are wearing.

For one, the Lakers’ LeBron James and the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown are both wearing Philadelphia 76ers jerseys. James was probably going to switch teams, but Brown in Philly? That’s just odd.

And then you notice that Giannis Antetokounmpo traded the chill of Milwaukee for the warmth of South Beach. And Klay Thompson’s there, too.

This is getting weird.

Then there's Kawhi Leonard, who's somehow back in Toronto where he won an NBA championship before skipping town seven years ago. Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball is now sharing a backcourt with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, and Ja Morant is apparently the new man in Portland.

The NBA world certainly kept turning while you were out. And perhaps not in the direction you would have expected.

This gave us one of the wildest offseasons in recent memory, with blockbuster trades and surprising free-agent signings that would make even the most dedicated basketball fans do a double take.

And that's before we get to the stars who spent much of last season on the sidelines, but who are preparing to make their long-awaited returns.

So, whether you're catching up after a four-month coma or just trying to keep track of who's playing where, here's your guide to the familiar faces in new places. We’ll also feature five stars returning from injuries who are worth keeping an eye on during the season.

Seven NBA Stars with New Teams

LeBron James: Los Angeles Lakers to Philadelphia 76ers

At 41, James is taking his talents back to the Eastern Conference for what he’s calling the final chapter of his legendary career.

After eight seasons in L.A., the NBA’s all-time leading scorer joins a loaded Philadelphia roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and fellow newcomer Jaylen Brown. James reportedly considered retirement before signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers, a team that hasn’t won a championship since 1983.

Now entering his record 24th season, LeBron has a chance to make history once again by becoming the first player to win NBA titles with four different franchises.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Milwaukee Bucks to Miami Heat

After 13 seasons in Milwaukee, two MVP awards, and an NBA championship, the Greek Freak is taking his talents to South Beach. Sound familiar?

Sixteen years after LeBron James made his famous move to Miami, the Heat have landed another generational superstar with championship aspirations. The blockbuster trade cost Miami four players and a haul of draft picks, but Giannis immediately gives the franchise a new identity built around his dominance in the paint.

And with fellow newcomer Klay Thompson providing outside shooting, the Heat could be dangerous. 

Jaylen Brown: Boston Celtics to Philadelphia 76ers

Of all the blockbuster moves this offseason, this one might be the hardest for NBA fans to wrap their heads around.

After 10 seasons in Boston, five All-Star selections and a 2024 NBA championship that earned him Finals MVP honors, Jaylen Brown was traded to the Celtics' longtime rivals in Philadelphia for Paul George and four draft picks.

Brown now joins LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a star-studded lineup with enormous expectations. Whether all that talent translates into championship chemistry remains to be seen.

Kawhi Leonard: Los Angeles Clippers to Toronto Raptors

The King of the North has returned!

Seven years after leading Toronto to its first NBA championship, Kawhi Leonard is back with the Raptors, where his unforgettable, four-bounce buzzer-beater in Game 7 against Philadelphia remains one of the greatest shots in playoff history.

Toronto gave up Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a haul of draft picks to bring the two-time Finals MVP home. Now 35, Leonard is coming off a career-high 27.9 points per game with the Clippers.

If he can stay healthy alongside rising star Scottie Barnes, Toronto may have a chance to recapture some of that 2019 magic.

Ja Morant: Memphis Grizzlies to Portland Trail Blazers

After seven seasons in Memphis, Ja Morant is taking his high-flying act to Rip City.

The former Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star was once among the NBA's most electrifying players, but injuries and off-court controversies derailed his promising career. Now 27, Morant gets a fresh start in Portland, where he'll share a crowded backcourt with Jrue Holiday and a returning Damian Lillard.

The potential Morant-Lillard pairing is particularly intriguing, although finding enough minutes for everyone could prove challenging. Portland, of course, is hoping Morant rediscovers his superstar form to help the Blazers become Western Conference contenders.

LaMelo Ball: Charlotte Hornets to Minnesota Timberwolves

After six seasons in Charlotte, LaMelo Ball is taking his flashy passes and deep three-pointers to Minnesota, where he'll team up with Anthony Edwards to form one of the NBA's most entertaining backcourts.

Interestingly, Edwards was the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, while Ball went third and ultimately won Rookie of the Year honors. Now teammates, the two could be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Ball's playmaking should also free up Edwards to focus more on scoring, giving Minnesota another weapon in its pursuit of a long-awaited NBA championship. 

Klay Thompson: Dallas Mavericks to Miami Heat

After four NBA championships with Golden State and a disappointing two-year stint in Dallas, Klay Thompson is hoping to make a splash in Miami.

The five-time All-Star joined the Heat after negotiating a buyout with the Mavericks, giving Miami a proven sharpshooter to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

Now 36, Thompson has already overcome devastating ACL and Achilles injuries, and he's still knocking down three-pointers at an impressive rate. His 202 triples last season were the fourth-most of any player in NBA history aged 35 or older.

Miami is betting there's still a little something left in the tank. 

The All-Return Team: Five NBA Stars Back from Injury

New uniforms aren't the only reason the NBA might look a little different this season. Several familiar faces spent much of 2025-26 watching from the sidelines, recovering from injuries that brought their seasons to an early end.

Now they're preparing to return, and we've assembled our own All-Return Starting Five to celebrate.

Fair warning: We're going a little guard-heavy with this lineup. But with this much talent coming back, we're willing to sacrifice a little size. 

Here are five players we're especially excited to see back on the court.

PG: Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

The last time Tyrese Haliburton played a meaningful NBA game, he suffered a devastating Achilles tear in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. After missing all last season, the two-time All-Star is healthy again and eager to restore Indiana to contention following a miserable 19-win campaign. 

SG: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Kyrie Irving hasn't played a regular-season game since tearing his ACL in March 2025, which caused him to miss the entire 2025-26 campaign.

The nine-time All-Star returns to a dramatically different Mavericks team, where he'll share the spotlight with rising superstar Cooper Flagg. Dallas could certainly use his scoring and veteran leadership. 

SF: Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

Butler's first full season in Golden State ended abruptly when he tore his ACL in January 2026. The six-time All-Star was averaging 20 points per game before the injury.

Now 37, Butler is targeting an early 2027 return, where he’ll hopefully give Stephen Curry and the Warriors a much-needed boost. 

PF: Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz

Jaren Jackson barely had time to unpack in Utah before undergoing knee surgery, which ended his season after only three games with the Jazz. This year, though, the former Defensive Player of the Year returns with an opportunity to establish himself as a cornerstone of Utah's rebuilding efforts while reminding everyone of his two-way abilities. 

PG: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Dame Time is finally returning to Rip City.

After tearing his Achilles during the 2025 playoffs with Milwaukee, Lillard rejoined Portland but missed the entire 2025-26 season. Now 36, the nine-time All-Star is back where Pacific Northwest fans feel he belongs, joining newcomer Ja Morant in a potentially explosive Trail Blazers backcourt.

Same League, New Look

Whether you slept through the offseason or followed every trade rumor in real time, one thing is clear: the 2026-27 NBA season will look very different. LeBron and Jaylen Brown are teaming up in Philly, Giannis is chasing that second title in Miami, Kawhi is back in the 6, and a wave of stars are returning from injury. That’s a lot of history in the making, and plenty of it can end up on your wall. Browse basketball memorabilia on Pristine Auction’s website and bid now on signed jerseys, game balls, graded cards, and more from the league’s biggest names, past and present. Just don’t sleep on it. The ball tips on October 20th, so grab a seat, settle in and celebrate the stars who’ll be writing this seasons story.