10 bold predictions for the 2025-26 NBA season

The 2025-26 NBA season tips off with a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to become to the first repeat champion in eight seasons, while a rash of injuries to superstars has left the Eastern Conference wide open. As the NBA moves to new broadcasters Peacock and Amazon Prime, here are 10 bold predictions for next season.

1. The Thunder will challenge the regular-season wins record — and repeat

The Thunder went 67-15 last season, and they may not have hit their ceiling yet. Last season, they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.9 PPG with the NBA's No. 1 defense and No. 3 offense. They were first in steals and second in blocks — even with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein missing 85 games combined.

After winning the title, the Thunder return all their players, while adding 2024 lottery pick Nikola Topic. With the league's best defense, healthier big men and a young roster that's still improving, 73 wins is unlikely, but not unreasonable for the Thunder.

2. The Los Angeles Lakers will miss the playoffs

40-year-old LeBron James will miss the first month of the season at least with a long-term back injury. Big summer additions Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart have missed 67 and 108 games respectively the last two seasons. Luka Doncic has slimmed down, but he misses 10-15 games a season.

The Lakers won 50 games last year, but even a slight decline could leave them outside the playoff picture. Injuries, age and lack of depth will lead them to crashing out in the play-in tournament.

3. LeBron James will not retire after the season

For a player who cares deeply about his legacy and image, it's hard to imagine James being satisfied by an injury-plagued season where the Lakers seem to be turning the team over to Doncic. He may not be back with the Lakers, but he'll be back in 2026-27.

4. Victor Wembanyama will win DPOY and MVP

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was in the MVP conversation last season before deep vein thrombosis cut his sophomore season short. He still led the NBA in blocks (3.8 per game) while playing 46 games, and was a lock for Defensive Player of the Year had he stayed healthy. When Wembanyama improves on last season's 24.3 PPG and 11 rebounds thanks to offseason tutoring from Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaolin monks, the Spurs will return to the playoffs and he'll win DPOY and MVP.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo will win the scoring title

The Milwaukee Bucks have assembled a deep group of supporting veterans around Giannis Antetokounmpo, but their offense begins and ends with the Greek Freak. He was second to MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander last season (32.7 PPG to 30.4 PPG), but SGA's teammates are improving — Antetokounmpo's need him to shoulder the scoring load.

6. The Orlando Magic will earn the top seed in the East

After enduring serious injuries to their top three players in 2024-25, the Magic solved two of their biggest issues over the summer. Adding Desmond Bane gives the NBA's worst three-point shooting team a legitimate outside threat, and Tyus Jones gives the Magic a true point guard. With a healthy Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, this team surges to a 50+ win season and home-court advantage.

7. The Houston Rockets will made a big midseason trade

The Rockets already needed another guard with Fred VanVleet out. When they didn't extend forward Tari Eason, it was a huge sign that he — and some valuable Phoenix Suns picks — could be used for a big backcourt upgrade at midseason.

8. Dylan Harper will win Sixth Man of the Year

Dylan Harper will likely come off the bench for the Spurs, but his ability to defend and drive to the hoop will make him invaluable. With incumbent 6MOY Payton Pritchard becoming a starter, Harper will follow in the footsteps of Ben Gordon and win Sixth Man of the Year as a rookie.

9. The New York Knicks will reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999

The Knicks have some flaws, but they also have as much talent as anyone in the Eastern Conference. They also have one of the NBA's best clutch scorers in Jalen Brunson, an incredible shooting big man in Karl-Anthony Towns and an actual bench — plus a new head coach in Mike Brown who will actually use his reserves.

10. The Golden State Warriors will max out at the Western Conference Finals

The Warriors had one of the NBA's best teams after trading for Jimmy Butler. Al Horford is a perfect fit in their front court. They're notoriously hard to beat in a seven-game series — but no one is beating the Thunder this year as they win back-top-back titles.