[Editor’s note: The following article is from Athlon Sports’ 2026-27 NBA Preview magazine. Order your issue online today, or grab a copy at newsstands and retail racks nationwide.]
Here are predictions for the 2026-27 NBA season, as they appear in the Athlon Sports 2026-27 NBA Preview magazine:
2026-27 NBA Predictions
Atlantic Division
- New York Knicks
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Boston Celtics
- Toronto Raptors
- Brooklyn Nets
Central Division
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Chicago Bulls
Southeast Division
- Miami Heat
- Atlanta Hawks
- Orlando Magic
- Washington Wizards
- Charlotte Hornets
Northwest Division
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Denver Nuggets
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Utah Jazz
Pacific Division
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Phoenix Suns
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Sacramento Kings
Southwest Division
- San Antonio Spurs
- Houston Rockets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Dallas Mavericks
- New Orleans Pelicans
Playoff Teams in Bold
Conference Finals prediction
- East: Knicks over Raptors
- West: Thunder over Spurs
NBA Finals predictions
- Thunder over Knicks
1-15 Power Ranking for both conferences
Eastern Conference
- Knicks
- 76ers
- Celtics
- Cavaliers
- Raptors
- Pistons
- Heat
- Hawks
- Pacers
- Magic
- Wizards
- Hornets
- Bucks
- Bulls
- Nets
Western Conference
- Thunder
- Spurs
- Rockets
- Nuggets
- Timberwolves
- Lakers
- Suns
- Warriors
- Blazers
- Jazz
- Clippers
- Grizzlies
- Mavericks
- Pelicans
- Kings
MVP, COY, ROY predictions
- MVP: Victor Wembanyama, F/C, San Antonio
- COY: Darko Rajaković, Toronto
- ROY: Cameron Boozer, C/F, Memphis
1st, 2nd and 3rd team All-NBA
First Team
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Miami
- Luka Dončić, F/G, L.A. Lakers
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City
- Nikola Jokić, C, Denver
- Victor Wembanyama, F/C, San Antonio
Second Team
- Jalen Brunson, G, N.Y. Knicks
- Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit
- Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota
- Kawhi Leonard, F, Toronto
- Donovan Mitchell, G, Cleveland
Third Team
- Scottie Barnes, G/F, Toronto
- Stephen Curry, G, Golden State
- Kevin Durant, F, Houston
- Tyrese Haliburton, G, Indiana
- Jayson Tatum, G/F, Boston
More NBA Essentials
- Every NBA Team Payroll
- Best NBA Draft Steals of All Time
- Biggest Celebrity Fans of Every NBA Team
- NBA MVPs: Every Winner and Their Stats
- Most Points Scored by a Player in an NBA Game, Ranked
- Every NBA Finals Matchup, Result, and MVP Since 1947
- How NBA Contracts Work: Rookies, Extensions, Max Deals
- GOAT Lists: Lakers | Celtics | Knicks | Bulls | Warriors | 76ers
