The NBA enters the 2026–27 season with a reshaped championship picture. The New York Knicks are defending champions, but Philadelphia and Miami made massive offseason moves. Minnesota and Portland upgraded their backcourts, while several former contenders lost franchise-changing players.
Here are the official S³ predictions.
S³ Award Predictions
Most Valuable Player
Anthony Edwards — Minnesota Timberwolves
LaMelo Ball’s arrival should take some of the playmaking pressure off Edwards without changing who controls the team. Edwards remains Minnesota’s leading scorer, primary closer and emotional leader.
What could happen: Minnesota wins 56 games, Edwards produces his best statistical season and earns his first MVP.
Rookie of the Year
Darryn Peterson — Utah Jazz
Peterson should become the focal point of Utah’s offense immediately. AJ Dybantsa will share opportunities with Anthony Davis and Tre Johnson in Washington, while Peterson should receive the freedom to create, score and run Utah’s offense.
What could happen: Peterson leads all rookies in scoring and pushes Utah into the Play-In.
Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama’s length, mobility and shot-blocking allow him to control games without touching the basketball. San Antonio’s projected 63-win season strengthens his case.
What could happen: Wembanyama leads the NBA in blocked shots and becomes the clear defensive centerpiece of the league’s best team.
Coach of the Year
Will Hardy — Utah Jazz
Utah finished 22–60 last season. If Hardy develops Peterson and leads the Jazz into the Play-In race, a 20-win improvement could earn him the award.
What could happen: Utah reaches 42 wins and challenges New Orleans for the final Western Conference playoff position.
Comeback Player of the Year
Ja Morant — Portland Trail Blazers
Morant receives a fresh start in Portland after Memphis won only 25 games last season. He gives the Trail Blazers the explosive lead guard they need to become more than a Play-In team.
What could happen: Morant remains available, returns to All-Star form and leads Portland to the sixth or seventh seed.
Eastern Conference Predictions
- Philadelphia 76ers: 63–19
- New York Knicks: 58–24
- Miami Heat: 55–27
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 54–28
- Detroit Pistons: 53–29
- Boston Celtics: 52–30
- Toronto Raptors: 48–34
- Orlando Magic: 46–36
First Teams Out
- Indiana Pacers: 43–39
- Atlanta Hawks: 42–40
What Could Happen in the East?
Philadelphia Becomes the NBA’s Best Regular-Season Team
The additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James give Philadelphia more scoring, playmaking, defense and postseason experience. If Joel Embiid plays 60 to 65 games, the Sixers have enough talent to win more than 60 games.
The danger is obvious: health. Philadelphia’s ceiling is a championship, but its floor changes dramatically if Embiid misses extended time.
New York Has a Real Chance to Repeat
The Knicks remain the champions until someone knocks them off. They may not finish with the East’s best record, but their chemistry, toughness and playoff confidence make them more dangerous than an ordinary second seed.
Giannis Changes Everything in Miami
Miami improved from a 43-win Play-In-level team to a legitimate championship contender by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Heat now have a player who can dominate the paint, control transition opportunities and anchor the defense. If Miami surrounds Giannis with enough shooting, the Heat could reach the NBA Finals.
Detroit Remains Strong but Needs More Scoring
Detroit may regress from 60 wins, but a collapse to 45 wins is unlikely. A range of 50 to 54 victories is more realistic.
The Pistons’ biggest problem will appear during the playoffs. Cade Cunningham needs another dependable scorer who can create his own shot and close games. Defense and depth can carry Detroit through the regular season, but Cade cannot handle every difficult half-court possession by himself.
Boston Takes a Step Back
The Celtics remain a good team, but losing Jaylen Brown removes an elite two-way wing and proven playoff scorer. Boston should still win approximately 50 games, but it no longer has the same margin for error.
Indiana Makes a Major Comeback
The Pacers are not rebuilding. Tyrese Haliburton’s return restores their pace, passing and offensive structure.
Indiana could improve from 19 wins to more than 40. The Pacers are capable of challenging Orlando for the eighth seed, especially if Haliburton quickly returns to All-Star form.
Charlotte Falls Out of the Race
The Hornets won 44 games last season, but losing LaMelo Ball removes their primary creator. Unless another young player makes a major leap, Charlotte should fall behind Indiana and Atlanta.
Milwaukee Begins Again
Milwaukee was already 32–50 before losing Giannis. His departure officially closes the Bucks’ championship era and begins a full organizational reset.
Western Conference Predictions
- San Antonio Spurs: 63–19
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 59–23
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 56–26
- Denver Nuggets: 54–28
- Houston Rockets: 53–29
- Los Angeles Lakers: 47–35
- Portland Trail Blazers: 45–37
- New Orleans Pelicans: 43–39
First Team Out
- Utah Jazz: 42–40
What Could Happen in the West?
San Antonio Finishes the Job
The Spurs won 62 games and reached the NBA Finals last season. Their five-game loss to New York showed that they were talented enough to reach the championship round but not experienced enough to finish the job.
Another year of development could make San Antonio the NBA’s most complete team.
Oklahoma City Remains Elite
The Thunder won an NBA-best 64 games last season. A slight regular-season decline does not remove them from championship contention.
Oklahoma City’s depth, athleticism and continuity should keep the Thunder near the top of the West.
Anthony Edwards Enters the MVP Conversation
Minnesota won 49 games last season. Adding LaMelo Ball could improve the offense enough to push the Timberwolves into the mid-50s.
LaMelo creates easier opportunities for Edwards, but Minnesota must determine whether the new backcourt can defend at a championship level.
Denver Remains Dangerous
The Nuggets finished last season on a 10-game winning streak and won 54 games. Any team built around Nikola Jokić remains capable of defeating a higher seed in a playoff series.
Houston Takes Another Step
Houston’s 52-win season established the Rockets as a legitimate Western Conference threat. The next step is translating regular-season consistency into postseason success.
The Lakers Decline Without LeBron
Los Angeles won 53 games last season but lost LeBron James to Philadelphia. The Lakers should remain a playoff team, but their leadership, playmaking and postseason ceiling take a significant hit.
Ja Morant Revives Portland
Portland made the playoffs with 42 wins before adding Morant. If he stays healthy and focused, the Trail Blazers could exceed 45 victories and become one of the West’s most dangerous lower seeds.
New Orleans Becomes the Surprise Team
The Pelicans improve from 26–56 to 43–39 and claim the final playoff position.
That 17-win improvement is ambitious, but every season produces an unexpected riser. New Orleans is the S³ selection to become that team.
Utah Nearly Steals the Final Spot
Darryn Peterson gives the Jazz an offensive centerpiece and accelerates their rebuild. Utah could improve by approximately 20 games and challenge New Orleans until the final week.
Phoenix Drops Out
The Suns finished 45–37 and eighth last season. In the S³ prediction, New Orleans replaces Phoenix in the Western Conference playoff field.
S³ Championship Forecast
Eastern Conference Finals
Philadelphia 76ers over New York Knicks
Western Conference Finals
San Antonio Spurs over Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Finals
Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs
S³ NBA Champion
Philadelphia 76ers in six games
Philadelphia has the league’s highest ceiling if its stars remain healthy. San Antonio may be the most complete regular-season team, but the combination of Embiid, Brown, LeBron, Maxey and Edgecombe gives the Sixers more proven scoring and late-game options.
S³ Final Predictions
MVP: Anthony Edwards Rookie of the Year: Darryn Peterson Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama Coach of the Year: Will Hardy Comeback Player of the Year: Ja Morant Best Regular-Season Record: Philadelphia 76ers, 63–19 Biggest Surprise:** New Orleans Pelicans Biggest Comeback:** Indiana Pacers Biggest Decline:** Milwaukee Bucks NBA Champion:** Philadelphia 76ers
