The 2026 NBL is just 7 days away and today we take a look at teams that had the most to gain in the transfer window. Most teams added multiple players but how much better did their teams become.

We shall explore the potential impact of these new signings.

City Oilers

After being dethroned, the 10-time champions did some very good business during the transfer window. They let go of Joseph Chuma and Moses Maker. Chad Bowie and Kurt Curry also returned to their other clubs. This freed up resources for the new signings.

The Oilers brought in 2025 Regular Season and Playoffs MVP Joel Lukoji. Joel is a person that will help handle the ball and alleviate off some pressure on Fayed Baale. The Oilers had just one trusted ball handler in 2025 and it affected them a lot. This time round though, they had 2 of the best point guards in the land and they are expected to cause havoc.

The 2025 Defensive Player of the year, Joel Kayiira, also joined the 10-time champions. With the departure big Mo and Chuma, there was a very big gap, in an area that the Oilers were already struggling.

Kayiira’s game has matured overtime and he is a person that will be a force in the paint for the Oilers.  

Landry Ndikumana is a very solid player that won multiple championships and MVP Awards with the City Oilers in the past. He is expected to bring leadership and a presence in the paint. This was also a very good pickup by the Oilers and we can’t wait to see how the reunion works out.

The other 2 players for the Oilers is Isaac Akoal who is expected to grow his game overtime and Daniel Odonkyero who was among the top scorers in the 2025 NBL Season.

All these additions mean that the Oilers are intentional on reclaiming the title.

Rezlife Saints

The Rezlife Saints made some very good additions to their squad. They retained most of their squad from 2025 but added Edrine Ekau, Duot Ajang, Hon Kuany, and Kevin Moru.

Edrine is the biggest pickup because of his skillset and ability to get points. He has also been playing in the lower league for a number of years and has a lot of experience.

Hon Kuany is a very versatile player that can provide coverage from number one to five. Having a player like that is very good because he can be used in multiple formations.

Youngster Duot Ajang will also come in to help in the paint but he is expected to grow. However, he has been playing in the Acholi Basketball League and he may come and impact straight away.

With these moves, the Saints could do better than they did in 2025. They may push for a top 6 finish.

Nam Blazers

Matthew 13:12 says, “For whoever has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

This is exactly what the Namuwongo Blazers have done. They already had the best team in the country but just when you thought that no transfer would make them better, they went and signed the best player in the league in Franck Nyembo.

Nyembo will undoubtedly elevate them to a higher stratosphere and his move was a sign that the Blazers are intentional of retaining the championship.

Secondly, the Blazers stayed with pretty much the same roster from 2025. This means that team chemistry and awareness to the expectations won’t be a problem.

Sommet

Perhaps the busiest club in the transfer window, Sommet made an overhaul of their 2025 squad. Only 4 players remained form their 2025 squad while they added 10 new ones. Most of the players are young, can adapt and grow as the season progresses.

There also players like Peter Cheng who were very integral in the 2025 season and John Focus Teko who improved his game that remained.

Nkulu Kaseya is a guard that has gotten a lot of praise from his mates while Emilagba Abdulahi has played in some leagues across the continent. These will be expected to bring experience and elevate the teams’ ceiling.

If they click, Sommet has a potential of being a problem to their opponents.