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Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2026-2027 NBA Season

Hoops are back, and I have to be honest...I haven't come down from that blue-and-orange cloud that soared to glorious heights on June 13, 2026. 

The Knicks are the 2025-2026 NBA Champions!

Still sounds amazing.

But...apparently we have to turn the page.

Whyyyyyyy? I wanna live in the summer of 2026 forever! 

It's a new NBA season, and with this Knicks championship, I'll soon discover what life is like on the other side of seeing the Larry O'Brien trophy hoisted by my team, and also, would I care the first time the Knicks drop three in a row?

Also, the thought of...ummmm, back-to-back championships?!!!

I'm not ready for that. Nope. Not at all. For now, let's get back to some normalcy. The following are my predictions and wild guesses for the 2026-2027 NBA Season. 

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EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29)

2. New York Knicks (52-27)

3. Detroit Pistons (50-32)

4. Philadelphia 76ers (48-34)

5. Indiana Pacers (46-36)

6. Toronto Raptors (46-36)

*Play-in Tournament Teams*

7. Boston Celtics (44-38)

8. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)

9. Miami Heat (41-41)

10. Washington Wizards (39-43)


WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS

1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20)

2. Denver Nuggets (54-28)

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (53-29)

4. Houston Rockets (50-32)

5. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)

6. Los Angeles Lakers (47-35)

*Play-In Tournament Teams*

7. Utah Jazz (41-41)

8. Phoenix Suns (41-41)

9. Portland Trail Blazers (40-42)

10. Dallas Mavericks (38-44)


SEASON OCCURRENCES

Next Household Name: Franz Wagner

Biggest Name To Be Traded: Zion Williamson

Biggest Story: Why is Giannis in Miami not working? 

Scoring Champion: Luka Doncic


SEASON AWARDS

All-Star Game MVP: Devin Booker

NBA Cup Champions: Denver Nuggets

Coach of the Year: Will Hardy

Clutch Player of the Year: Luka Doncic

Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama

Sixth Man of the Year: Demar DeRozan

Rookie of the Year: Darryn Peterson

Most Valuable Player: Victor Wembanyama


WILD GUESSES AND BOLD PREDICTIONS

- Giannis Destination Talk Continues

It might be me, or possibly my bias towards the Miami Heat. However, I find it hard to see how Giannis is going to work on the Miami Heat. I could be wrong (and I hope I'm not), but I could very well see this scenario playing out with Giannis clearly being the better player among their similar-styled duo, and all of the controversy that comes with it for their loyal and franchise player, Bam Adebayo. 

Bam just scored 83 points last year! Now, he'll be a second option. I just don't see enough pieces around them as well in what is an extremely loaded Eastern Conference. Will Giannis be on the move, again? Should be interesting

- Luka Doncic Has Career Year

First, I don't think it will translate to domination, but it will surely help the Lakers win. Luka will have a green light once again, with the keys being solely his in LA. Walker Kessler will help Dončić and be a key piece as the Lakers return to the playoffs. 

- Julius Randle Plays His Way Out of Brooklyn

I have a soft spot for Ju because of what he did in a Knicks uniform, and truly anchored the beginning phase of what we now know as a championship build. Randle can be a very good player, and with young pieces around him in Brooklyn, it wouldn't be surprising to see him put up a line of 20/8/5 and somehow, some way, get someone else to bite on his help for the playoffs. 

- Cooper Flag Makes All-NBA 2nd Team

It seems like Jason Kidd is going to put the ball in Flagg's hands as a big point guard. Not surprising coming from Kidd. However, it will put Flagg in a position to be the engine for Dallas, and there is no one better to select and develop in that spot. 

- Franz Wagner Surpasses Paolo Banchero in Magic Plans

This one is wild, I know. But there is a world where the Magic may have to choose one or the other. And that world has something called the second apron. Especially if you intend to keep Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, and other supportive help. 

- Paul George WILL work in Boston

I despise the Celtics. And was happy watching from afar the Jaylen Brown fiasco and eventual lopsided trade. I even enjoyed watching Celtics fans disintegrate over the entire ordeal. 

However! 

I sort of believe Paul George will work in Boston. And dare I say, will likely be a better fit for their style alongside Jayson Tatum. Sure, health is always the key factor and concern with George. But if he can stay on the floor, this will work. 

- Russell Westbrook Plays Basketball this Season

There have to be reasons why teams aren't taking a chance on a guy like Russell Westbrook. I'll leave that as is. However, I think he finds his way back in the NBA this season. It will be a playoff team decimated by injuries or in need of veteran help. I think we'll see Westbrook in April playing meaningful basketball. 

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CONFERENCE FINALS

Eastern Conference: Knicks d. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-2)

Western Conference: Thunder d. Spurs (4-3)

NBA FINALS

Thunder d. Knicks (4-2)

Will this hurt? Very likely. But we've got 2026.

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