The Rockets are the only true contender who will be missing a star for the whole season.
The Houston Rockets, so far this season, have proven themselves to be genuine championship contenders despite any concerns that may have been had regarding the absence of Fred VanVleet, having posted a 9-1 record in their last ten games and emerged as one of the most potent offenses in the NBA.
Accordingly, The Athletic, in their recent NBA Power Rankings, has placed the Rockets in the tier of "Top Contenders", and they are joined by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks.