NBA 2025-2026 Predictions

By: Langan Fisher 10/15/25

2024-25 NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander raises his trophy while celebrating.

As the 2025–26 NBA season approaches, basketball finds itself in a fascinating place, with a new generation of stars controlling the league. Players like Lebron James , Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and others are approaching their final seasons, while 2024-2025 MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Jayson Tatum are set to take the throne. Other young stars like Frenchman Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero are set to have breakout seasons in the 2025-26 season. The "team to beat" seems to be the defending champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The rise from rebuilding project to NBA champion in just a few short seasons set a new model for modern team-building. With Shai ascending into superstardom and Chet Holmgren evolving into a defensive anchor, OKC represents the future.

Standings predictions:

Projected Western Conference Top 8:

Oklahoma City Thunder

Denver Nuggets

Houston Rockets

Los Angeles Lakers

Minnesota Timberwolves

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

New Orleans Pelicans

OKC is listed as the favorite to repeat as Western Conference champions , and for good reason. They’ve retained nearly their entire rotation, and continue to develop their stars under coach Mark Daigneault — the reigning NBA Coach of the Year.

The Denver Nuggets , led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokić, remain a powerhouse. Their offense is still balanced, and if Jamal Murray can stay healthy, they’re capable of reclaiming the top seed.

The Houston Rockets , after an aggressive offseason that brought in Kevin Durant to complement their young core, are set to make serious noise in the West. Their blend of size and perimeter defense could make them the biggest surprise of the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are entering pivotal years. For the past couple of years, both of these teams have had their ups and downs, but they have always been a staple when playoff time comes around. LeBron James may be playing his final season, and Stephen Curry’s championship window is narrowing — but both teams have made tweaks to remain competitive.

By making the playoffs the last 4 years, and a conference finals last year, The Minnesota Timberwolves are destined for a long playoff run, especially with Anthony Edwards poised for another All-NBA season.

Projected Eastern Conference Top 8 :

Projected Eastern Top 8:

Cleveland Cavaliers

New York Knicks

Miami Heat

Boston Celtics

Indiana Pacers

Philadelphia 76ers

Atlanta Hawks

Toronto Raptors

While the West is led by a clear favorite, the Eastern Conference remains a wide-open race

The Cleveland Cavaliers enter the season as the pick to top the standings after their breakout campaign last year. With Donovan Mitchell re-signed long-term and Evan Mobley anchoring the defense, this team can make a serious run to the finals.

The New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat all finished up great campaigns in the 2024-25 season. With Boston losing some key players and Jayson Tatum's injury, they will need Jaylen Brown to step up and be an MVP-caliber star. New York and Miami's rosters simply didn't change, and both look to repeat great seasons.

The Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors all have their respective stars, who when healthy, can easily lead their team to the playoffs. However, with Tyreese Haliburton's achilles tear, and losing Myles Turner, the Pacers could be in for a rough one this year.