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A new NBA season has finally arrived which means it's time for us here at For The Win to set the table.
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder repeat as NBA champions? Can Nikola Jokić's Denver Nuggets win their second championship in four seasons? Is Kevin Durant in a great position to win his third career title as the newest, high-profile member of the Houston Rockets? Are the L.A. Clippers about to finally fulfill their potential with Kawhi Leonard?
These sorts of questions won't really have a definitive answer until the spring, but it gives you an idea of what we're working with.
Below you will find our experts' takes on their favorite dark horse, this year's MVP winner, who will win the 2026 NBA Finals, and much more. As opening week begins around the Association, let's tip things off ourselves, shall we?
1. Who is your dark horse team?
Robert Zeglinski: Portland Trail Blazers
With dynamite defenders like Toumani Camara, Jrue Holiday, and Donovan Clingan, Portland can defend like hell. I also love what Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija can be capable of as perimeter scorers. The Trail Blazers have the potential to be the most annoying playoff-adjacent team for anyone to play.
Prince Grimes: New Orleans Pelicans
The fate of the Pelicans, as always, depends on the health of Zion Williamson. And for once, Williamson appears to be in great shape. I'm not saying they'll make the playoffs, but if he can stay on the floor all season, they'll be incredibly competent and at least push for a play-in spot.
Charles Curtis: Atlanta Hawks
I love it all. Year 2 of Zaccharie Risacher. Jalen Johnson's return. The addition of Kristaps Porziņģis. This is a team that will be tough every night.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Indiana Pacers
I know that the defending Eastern Conference champions usually wouldn't belong in this category. But after losing Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles tendon and Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks, I think they still manage to surprise some people and make a run under coach Rick Carlisle.
2. Make one random bold prediction.
Robert Zeglinski: Cade Cunningham will be a top-three MVP finalist.
The Pistons don't have a true sidekick for Cunningham and he should be even better as a load-carrying superstar this season. I think Detroit will push for a top-three seed in the East, which will bring Cunningham's carry job of a Pistons roster otherwise comprised of role players into the MVP spotlight.
Prince Grimes: One of the Boston Celtics or Indiana Pacers will make the playoffs.
Even after the injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, I think the Celtics and Pacers can both make the play-in tournament. And at least one of them will win out to get into the playoffs. It won't likely be the Celtics, who lack depth. But I still really like the Pacers' roster without Haliburton, led by Pascal Siakam.
Charles Curtis: The Memphis Grizzlies will blow it all up.
So long Ja Morant? I have nothing to go on but vibes, and it feels like Morant might need a change of scenery.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Amen Thompson starts in the All-Star Game.
He is taking over as the starting point guard for the Houston Rockets, who look like one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
3. Who will be your most disappointing team?
Robert Zeglinski: New York Knicks
Everyone is counting on the Knicks to take advantage of a weak East without Boston and Indiana in the picture. And I get it. But New York is still not all that deep and remains a flawed defensive group. I just think some of the other potential Eastern powers (Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta) have a higher floor than the Knickerbockers.
Prince Grimes: San Antonio Spurs
Everyone seems to think this is the year Victor Wembanyama finally pushes San Antonio into the playoffs, but I'm not so sure the rest of the roster is ready to come along for the ride yet. There's a world where this team makes the play-in tournament but goes no further than that.
Charles Curtis: Milwaukee Bucks
Maybe this is too obvious, but Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't have much support AND he might be dealt. Welp.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Minnesota Timberwolves
The two players projected to get the most minutes at point guard are 38 years old and 20 years old, respectively. That's too old and too young to run a playoff offense.
4. Make ANOTHER random bold prediction.
Robert Zeglinski: The Orlando Magic will threaten the 60-win threshold.
The math here is simple. Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Desmond Bane together are one of the NBA's best top-fours. And Orlando is terrific defensively in a top-heavy East. This is the exact kind of balanced slash "try-hard" team that pushes the pedal to the metal in the regular season.
Prince Grimes: One of the Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors will miss the playoffs.
With the aging stars on each roster, would it surprise anyone to see both the Lakers and Warriors regress this year? It wouldn't surprise me, and I could see one or both missing the playoffs completely. If I had to pick one, it'd be the Warriors who are most reliant on their 35-and-up stars.
Charles Curtis: LeBron James will play just 35 games.
Father Time has yet to defeat him ... until now.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Victor Wembanyama gets the most votes for Defensive Player of the Year ever.
The previous best we've ever seen was Ben Wallace with 116 out of 120 in 2002.
5. Who will win MVP?
Robert Zeglinski: Nikola Jokić
The Serbian big man lost out on his fourth career MVP last year despite averaging a near 30-point triple-double. I doubt his numbers will be that gaudy on a deeper Denver Nuggets squad this season. However, that stronger roster could push Jokić to the most efficient season of his career as the talisman of a premier title contender. And if that happens, he should join some legendary company in the four-time MVP club.
Prince Grimes: Nikola Jokić
The vibes are better in Denver after the team got rid of its toxic leadership of the last few years and retooled the roster in the offseason to better fit around Jokic, who I still believe to be the best player in the world. Especially after Denver's close playoff losses of the last couple years and SGA's incredible MVP campaign, I expect a motivated Jokic to put together one of his finest seasons yet.
Charles Curtis: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
I'm doing this just to be different. It's probably going to be Nikola Jokic, but the defending champs are going to be even better and so will their anchor.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Luka Dončić
Sorry to you, Nico Harrison.
6. Who will win the 2026 NBA Finals?
Robert Zeglinski: Denver Nuggets over Orlando Magic in 6 (Nikola Jokić, Finals MVP)
Jamal Murray looks like he's in All-Star shape. Aaron Gordon looks like he's reached his final form. And Jokić has seemingly never been happier. The last time the preseason vibes were this good in Denver, they went on to win the title. I think history is about to repeat itself. These Nuggets are arguably the best team of Jokić's career, and he is at his apex. I'm not going to bet against the best player in the world at the top of his game with a formidable roster that can accentuate and complement his playmaking gifts.
Prince Grimes: Houston Rockets over Orlando Magic in 5 (Amen Thompson, Finals MVP)
Let's have some fun with these predictions. How about a 1995 finals rematch? As much as I like OKC, repeat titles seem harder to come by these days. And with the East wide open, a young and hungry Magic team could ride its tenacious defense straight to the finals. That could set up a hard-nosed Rockets-Magic series where Houston's improved offense will make the difference. It won't be a sweep like in '95, but Amen Thompson will prove to be the NBA's next great two-way player while carrying Kevin Durant to a third career title.
Charles Curtis: New York Knicks over Houston Rockets in 7 (Jalen Brunson, Finals MVP)
A lifetime New Yorker can dream, can't he? New York might have one shot at a title with this team and the East is juuust open enough to get through. Plus, we need some revenge for 1994.
Bryan Kalbrosky: Cleveland Cavaliers over Oklahoma City Thunder in 6 (Donovan Mitchell, Finals MVP)
Who said small market teams can't make it work?
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NBA season predictions: Our expert staff picks the Finals, MVP, and more
Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, Prince J. Grimes, Charles Curtis and Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win / For The Win
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