5 Bold Predictions for the 2025‑26 NBA Season
A new NBA season hands fans a clean slate, a reason to dream big and ditch last year’s what-ifs. Fans examine the rosters, the storylines, and the momentum from last year, and start imagining the surprises that might unfold.
The 2025/26 campaign promises much after an offseason filled with drama. With everything that happened in the past season, there is no shortage of potential twists. Bold predictions add to that anticipation by spotlighting scenarios that would make the season memorable if they come true.
With that in mind, here are five daring forecasts that could shake up the league. They may not be the most likely outcomes, but they are possibilities worth keeping an eye on as the season begins.
Prediction 1 – Nikola Jokić Wins a 4th MVP
Nikola Jokić enters the season as the clear MVP favourite. Many experts already see Denver’s star center reclaiming the award, and in one preseason panel, he held a clear lead over the next contender. Voter fatigue does not appear to be holding him back.
Jokić is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career. He averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists in 2024/25, finishing in the top three in all three categories. That level of production is nearly unmatched, and even if he comes close to repeating it, his case will be difficult to deny. With three MVPs already, a fourth would put him alongside the most decorated players in league history.
The challenge is surpassing last season’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Oklahoma City to the championship. Other contenders, such as Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo, also loom large.
What strengthens Jokić’s chances is Denver’s roster adjustments. The Nuggets added depth and swapped Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, moves designed to keep Jokić fresh and efficient. If Denver remains among the league’s best teams and Jokić flirts with a triple-double average again, a fourth Michael Jordan Trophy could very well find its way to Denver.
Prediction 2 – Lakers Dominate the West
This bold forecast anticipates the Los Angeles Lakers storming through the Western Conference and even flirting with 70 wins. The pairing of Luka Dončić and LeBron James could instantly turn the team into a juggernaut.
Any roster featuring Luka or LeBron is a contender. Around them are Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and a deeper bench that now includes Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jake LaRavia, giving L.A. real balance on both ends.
The Lakers also had one of the offseason’s biggest hauls. Ayton arrived to patrol the paint and serve as a prime pick-and-roll partner for Luka, and Smart adds toughness and poise in the backcourt. Early looks at the Luka–LeBron actions last spring were encouraging, but the on-court numbers together were mixed, so the staff will need to refine the two-man game rather than assume it’s already solved.
Calling the Lakers a dominant force is bold because it assumes instant chemistry in Dončić’s first full season in Los Angeles and a 40-year-old James staying healthy. It also leans on strong contributions from role players like Reaves. The West is loaded with Denver, Oklahoma City, and a retooled Houston that just added Durant. Yet, the ceiling is massive if everything clicks.
The West no longer has a single dynasty ruling the conference, creating space for a new powerhouse to emerge. If LeBron can push in transition while Luka buries step-backs and picks teams apart in the half-court, Los Angeles could become the group everyone else is circling on the schedule.
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Prediction 3 – Anthony Edwards Becomes a Supernova
The bold call here is that Anthony Edwards makes the leap into true superstardom and earns First Team All-NBA honours, perhaps even entering MVP discussions. At 24, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard has already collected back-to-back Second Team All-NBA selections and received down-ballot MVP votes last season. Each year, he has climbed higher on the superstar ladder, and this forecast sees him reaching top-five player status by year’s end.
A stat line near 30 points per game and a top-three seed for Minnesota would put him firmly in that conversation. Edwards has all the tools needed for such a rise. He is a potent scorer, an athletic finisher at the rim, and a steadily improving playmaker and defender. At his age, many of the league’s legends began producing MVP-level seasons.
He also showed flashes of carrying the Timberwolves during their deep playoff runs, often looking like their best player in high-pressure moments. Minnesota’s roster is increasingly shaped to maximize him, and history shows that championship teams almost always have a First Team All-NBA talent leading the way. If Edwards sharpens his efficiency and consistency, he could be that player.
The boldness comes in placing Edwards alongside Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Jayson Tatum in the All-NBA hierarchy. It would make him the first Timberwolf since Kevin Garnett to make First Team All-NBA. That requires both individual growth and team success, as awards often hinge on winning.
The competition in the West is fierce, with proven stars all vying for top honours. Pushing into the First Team means outpacing some of the league’s biggest names. Still, Edwards has the talent, swagger, and work ethic to seize that status. By the end of 2025/26, it is entirely possible he will be spoken of in the same breath as the very best players in the NBA.
Prediction 4 – Cooper Flagg Dominates as Rookie of the Year
The Dallas Mavericks struck gold with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, and the bold prediction is that he not only wins Rookie of the Year but does so in dominating fashion. Some experts even see him as a potential All-Star in his debut season.
In an early poll, Flagg was the runaway ROTY favourite with 121 of a possible 150 points, far ahead of any other rookie. At 6’8” with do-it-all skills, he steps into an ideal scenario in Dallas. The Mavericks have playoff aspirations and need his versatility immediately.
Scouts describe Flagg as a rare rookie with “NBA-ready versatility.” He’s a forward who can handle the ball, shoot from outside, defend multiple positions, and process the game with advanced IQ. He’s drawn comparisons to a young Kevin Durant for his scoring flashes and to Shane Battier for his defensive instincts.
Crucially, Dallas will hand Flagg a major role from Day 1. With veterans like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and other capable scorers around him, defences cannot load up on Flagg. That balance should allow him to contribute across the board, filling stat sheets from the start.
This award usually goes to the rookie with the best blend of talent and opportunity, and Flagg checks both boxes. It’s easy to picture him averaging around 17-18 points, 7-8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.5 blocks on a Mavericks team that wins games. Those numbers alone would put him in pole position for Rookie of the Year. The Summer League has already shown him impacting multiple facets, even on off-shooting nights. How bold can this prediction get? Flagg could even become the first rookie All-Star since Blake Griffin in 2011. It’s rare, but the fan vote gravitates to exciting newcomers, and Flagg’s dunks and chase-down blocks will be made for highlight reels. At the very least, he appears to be a near-unanimous choice for ROTY if his fitness holds up.
The preseason vote gap was staggering, with second-place Dylan Harper drawing only 38 points to Flagg’s 121. That margin reflects just how far ahead he is viewed already. Bold prediction: Flagg delivers one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory and cements himself as the NBA’s next young star.
Prediction 5 – The Toronto Raptors Resurge as Eastern Contenders
This bold prediction envisions the Toronto Raptors making a dramatic turnaround and re-emerging as a force in the Eastern Conference. Last season, they stumbled to a 30-52 record, far from playoff contention, but a series of aggressive moves has positioned them for a resurgence. The call here is that Toronto shocks the league by winning around 50 games and contending for a top-four seed. A run to the Conference Finals is not out of the question.
The offseason marked a turning point for the Toronto team. The front office pulled off a major midseason trade for former All-Star Brandon Ingram and secured him to a long-term deal. Ingram brings the reliable scoring punch the team lacked. Toronto also drafted well, adding Collin Murray-Boyles, a promising young forward, along with depth pieces to support the rotation.
Ingram now joins Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl, giving the Raptors a lineup that suddenly looks competitive. Head coach Darko Rajaković is pushing an up-tempo system that fits their athletic core, giving the roster a fresh identity.
The boldness lies in the size of the leap. The East is loaded with powerhouses like Milwaukee, Boston, Cleveland, Miami, and defending conference champion Indiana. For Toronto to jump from 30 wins to 50, Ingram must mesh seamlessly, the young players must develop quickly, and some rivals must falter. It is a massive ask, but not an impossible one.
NBA history shows dramatic turnarounds can happen. Oklahoma City went from being the top seed to becoming champions last season. Toronto itself has a track record of exceeding expectations in recent years. If this scenario unfolds, Canada’s lone franchise would instantly become one of the season’s biggest stories. A rocking Scotiabank Arena in May would capture attention across the league and signal that the Raptors are truly back.
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Wildcard Scenarios
Houston Rockets surge: After landing Kevin Durant, Houston’s offence looks ready to take off. Pairing Durant with Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson gives the Rockets one of the most dangerous cores in the West, with Clint Capela shoring up the paint. If their chemistry develops quickly, and they offset Fred VanVleet’s injury with more creativity from Durant and Şengün, plus a step forward from Reed Sheppard, Houston could transition from a young team with potential to a legitimate Western Conference contender.
Orlando Magic breakout: The addition of Desmond Bane instantly boosts Orlando’s spacing and late-clock shot creation. If he meshes with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, the Magic can move past back-to-back first-round exits and profile as a real Eastern playoff threat. Bane’s perimeter gravity, Wagner’s versatility and the stabilizing presence of Tyus Jones give Orlando new offensive dimensions.
Milwaukee Bucks turbulence: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term future will be a talking point, even though he’s under contract through 2026/27 with a 2027/28 player option. If injuries strike or the post-Lillard roster wobbles early, pressure could build quickly and force hard choices. In that scenario, a perennial contender becomes one of the season’s biggest question marks and the East’s pecking order gets a jolt.
LA Clippers reloaded: The Clippers brought in Chris Paul and Bradley Beal to add experience alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. They also fortified the frontcourt with Brook Lopez and acquired John Collins in a trade. On paper, it’s a seasoned core with extra playmaking and shooting; the question is fitness. If their stars finally stay on the floor together and the new pieces click, Los Angeles could push toward the top of the West.
Portland Trail Blazers revive: Damian Lillard is rehabbing a torn Achilles and isn’t expected to play in 2025/26, so Portland’s route back hinges more on Scoot Henderson’s jump and Shaedon Sharpe’s growth. Henderson’s recent hamstring tear may delay the start, but with Jerami Grant steady on the wing and the young core maturing, there’s still a path out of the lottery if Henderson returns cleanly and levels up by midseason.