As the 2025-26 NBA season tips off, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder stand poised for a dynasty, but a crowded field of contenders in the Western Conference and a revamped Eastern landscape promise an unpredictable year, with stars like Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Victor Wembanyama battling for MVP honors.
The anticipation for the 2025-26 NBA season is palpable, with the league tipping off on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. This opening night is particularly significant, as the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will raise their first championship banner while hosting the Houston Rockets. In the nightcap, the Los Angeles Lakers will welcome the Golden State Warriors, setting the stage for what many predict will be another season dominated by the Western Conference.
Editors and writers from various sports publications have released their annual predictions, offering a glimpse into who they believe will hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, claim individual accolades, and navigate the treacherous playoff landscape. From potential repeat champions to heated MVP duels and the emergence of generational talents, the 2025-26 season promises a compelling narrative for basketball fans.
The Thunder’s Quest for a Repeat: A New Dynasty?
The most consistent prediction across the board points to the Oklahoma City Thunder solidifying their status as the league’s dominant force. After capturing their first championship, five out of seven writers at Lakers Nation, for example, expect the Thunder to repeat as champions, typically over the Cleveland Cavaliers or Orlando Magic, as reported by Lakers Nation. This sentiment is echoed by many analysts, including those at Yahoo Sports, where multiple writers foresee the Thunder clinching another title.
Last season, the Thunder achieved an impressive 68 regular season wins, overcoming significant injury challenges to key players like Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso. Their success was built on an elite defense and a dynamic offense spearheaded by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With virtually the same roster returning and internal development expected from their young core, the Thunder are widely seen as having too much talent and continuity to be dethroned.
However, not everyone is convinced a repeat is a foregone conclusion. Some analysts, like Steve Jones from Yahoo Sports, point to the inherent difficulty of being the “hunted” rather than the “hunter.” While the Thunder are undeniably strong, the Western Conference is a gauntlet, and every team will be gearing up to expose any potential weakness of the champions.
The Wild West: A Conference of Giants
The Western Conference is universally acknowledged as the league’s powerhouse. Joseph Dycus of the Bay Area News Group even predicts the Warriors will have to navigate a crowded playoff field to reach their sixth NBA Finals in 12 years. Beyond the Thunder, several teams are poised to contend fiercely for the Western Conference crown:
- Denver Nuggets: Many analysts, including Kelly Iko and Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports, believe the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, are primed for another Finals run. The addition of Cam Johnson is seen as a crucial upgrade, providing vital shooting and defensive versatility alongside Jamal Murray. Their experience and “horses” (as Tom Haberstroh puts it) make them a formidable threat.
- Golden State Warriors: Despite their age, the Warriors are expected to remain in the mix, with the potential for a major midseason addition around Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green.
- Houston Rockets: Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation and multiple Bay Area News Group writers see the Rockets as a strong contender.
- Los Angeles Lakers: With Luka Dončić joining LeBron James, the Lakers are certainly in the conversation, though projections for their regular-season success vary.
- San Antonio Spurs: The meteoric rise of Victor Wembanyama makes the Spurs a dark horse, with Joseph Dycus even predicting them to reach the West Finals.
The MVP Narrative: A Four-Way Battle for Glory
The MVP race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with a split among experts predicting who will take home the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. The primary contenders are:
- Luka Dončić (Lakers): The new Laker is a strong favorite for many, including Ryan Ward, Corey Hansford, Matthew Peralta, and Matthew Valento from Lakers Nation, and Michael Nowels from the Bay Area News Group. His move to the Lakers is expected to amplify his impact and narrative, especially if he leads the retooled roster to significant success in his first season in purple and gold.
- Nikola Jokić (Nuggets): The reigning three-time MVP continues to be a dominant force, with Trevor Lane, Daniel Stark, and Ron Gutterman of Lakers Nation still backing him. His consistent, all-around brilliance makes him a perennial candidate, regardless of narrative.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): As the leader of the defending champions and a scoring champion, Gilgeous-Alexander is also in the conversation, with Dieter Kurtenbach of the Bay Area News Group picking him to repeat.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): In just his third season, Wembanyama is already being touted as a potential MVP candidate, with Joseph Dycus of the Bay Area News Group predicting he will stake his claim as the best player in the world.
Eastern Conference: Cavaliers and Knicks Emerge from the Pack
The Eastern Conference is perceived as weaker this season, particularly due to significant injuries to stars like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, who are recovering from Achilles tears and likely to miss the entire season. This opens the door for other teams, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks being the most frequently predicted finalists.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: After a 64-win season that ended in playoff disappointment, the Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen, are expected to break through. Their decision to run back the same core, with the addition of Lonzo Ball, demonstrates confidence in their talent. Morten Stig Jensen and Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports are among those who believe this is the year the Cavaliers’ core pays off.
- New York Knicks: With a revamped offensive scheme under coach Mike Brown and a talented, tough, and versatile top-eight rotation, the Knicks are a strong contender. Dan Devine, Nekias Duncan, and Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports are bullish on their chances, expecting them to reach their first Finals in over 25 years.
Lakers’ Star Power and Playoff Path
The Los Angeles Lakers enter the season with significant buzz following the acquisition of Luka Dončić. However, questions linger about the team’s ability to navigate the brutal Western Conference. Lakers Nation writers project the team to finish between 47 and 54 victories, firmly in the playoff hunt but potentially in the Western Conference’s second tier.
Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice makes a bold prediction, suggesting the Lakers might have to partake in the play-in tournament. Concerns include the health of a soon-to-be 41-year-old LeBron James, the integration of Deandre Ayton at center, and the depth of the roster beyond their core stars. The competition in the West, featuring the Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Rockets, Warriors, Clippers, and Spurs, makes securing a top-six seed a significant challenge.
Individual Accolades: Defensive Prowess, Rising Stars, and Coaching Excellence
Beyond the major awards, analysts have cast their votes for several other key individual honors:
Defensive Player of the Year
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): A commanding favorite, receiving five of seven votes from Lakers Nation writers. Adam Aaronson goes further, predicting Wembanyama will become the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history, thanks to his game-breaking length and defensive impact.
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers): Received two votes from Lakers Nation writers.
Rookie of the Year
- Cooper Flagg (Mavericks): Leads the field with five votes from Lakers Nation writers, and also selected by Michael Nowels of the Bay Area News Group.
- Ace Bailey (Jazz): Received votes from Lakers Nation and Joseph Dycus of the Bay Area News Group.
- V.J. Edgecombe (76ers): Selected by Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation and Dieter Kurtenbach of the Bay Area News Group.
Most Improved Player
- Amen Thompson (Rockets): Dominated this category with four votes from Lakers Nation writers.
- Other selections included Toumani Camara, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Johnson.
Sixth Man of the Year
- Josh Hart (Knicks): Earned three nods from Lakers Nation writers.
- Other selections included Naz Reid, Jordan Clarkson, De’Andre Hunter, and Bennedict Mathurin.
Coach of the Year
- Jamahl Mosley (Magic): Collected three votes from Lakers Nation and was selected by Joseph Dycus.
- Other selections included Ime Udoka, Mike Brown, J.B. Bickerstaff, and Quin Snyder. Snyder, in particular, received multiple votes from Bay Area News Group writers.
Fan Community Insights: What Ifs and Beyond the Headlines
The fan community is buzzing with speculation. What if LeBron James‘ health issues are more persistent? How quickly will Victor Wembanyama elevate the Spurs to true contender status? Will the Golden State Warriors, with their veteran core, make a significant midseason move that shakes up the West?
There’s also considerable discussion about the state of the Miami Heat. Despite their history of defying expectations, some analysts, like Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice, predict they could miss the play-in tournament entirely, citing roster questions and the significant absence of Tyler Herro to start the season. The constant speculation about players like Terry Rozier becoming trade pieces further fuels these fan-driven narratives.
The Season Ahead: An Unpredictable Journey
As the 2025-26 NBA season commences, it’s clear that while a consensus exists around the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s championship potential, the path to the Finals is fraught with challenges. The Western Conference remains a powerhouse, promising intense competition, while the Eastern Conference offers an intriguing battle between rejuvenated contenders. The MVP race, featuring a blend of established legends and rising stars, ensures that individual brilliance will be on full display. This season is set to deliver another unforgettable chapter in NBA history, full of unexpected twists and turns that only basketball can provide, according to predictions compiled by Yahoo Sports Staff.