Our 2025-26 NBA Season Preview

October 21st, 2025

By NBA Scouting Live

Welcome back to another fun season in the works. Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder ended winning the 2025 NBA Finals under the sterling play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the talent and depth of their team, as well as due to their coaching and roster management. A bevy of injuries happened late in the year to Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, and Damian Lillard, which may cause them to miss most of the upcoming year, if not entirely.

Still, this could be another very good year waiting for us basketball fans. Therefore, we decided to make some preseason award picks in addition to picking who will likely win it all for the 2025-26 season. As we are going to be in for another fun NBA season, let’s get to our preseason award picks, and we also projected how the NBA season may go. With all of this in mind, there will be another exciting NBA season in store for us.

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 NBA MVP:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is versatile superstar that led the 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder to a championship, and he is coming off of a terrific MVP season. He could win his second MVP in a row, and the Thunder head into the season as the heavy favorites to win the 2026 championship.

2^nd: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
3^rd: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
4^th: Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
5^th: Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

Others Receiving Votes:
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Kevin Durant, Houston

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year:
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley is a very athletic and versatile defender that can defend out on the perimeter as well as on the interior, and his range and versatility, combined with being an important piece on a contender makes him a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2026.

2^nd: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
3^rd: Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
4^th: Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
5^th: Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

Others Receiving Votes:
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat, Lu Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year:
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg is a very athletic, versatile forward that will likely make an immediate impact right away, and he will be a core player to the Dallas Mavericks’ franchise. He is a very talented player that is currently the frontrunner to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2026.

2^nd: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
3^rd: Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
4^th: Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
5^th: Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors

Others Receiving Votes:
Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 Sixth Man of the Year:
Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves

Naz Reid is a versatile, very skilled big man that has won the Sixth Man of the Year award before, and he is an integral player on a very solid Minnesota Timberwolves’ team. He has been very productive in his role, and he could end up winning this award again in 2026.

2^nd: Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder
3^rd: Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
4^th: Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
5^th: Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

Others Receiving Votes:
Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year:
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets

Amen Thompson is a tremendously athletic, versatile swingman that can do everything on the court, and he can slash to the basket to score, is a good facilitator, and he also can be a lockdown defender. He will play a very integral role on a very solid Rockets’ team this year, and he could end up seeing even bigger gains in 2026.

2^nd: Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic
3^rd: Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
4^th: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
5^th: Josh Giddey, Chicago’s Bulls

Others Receiving Votes:
Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets, Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks, Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 NBA Coach of the Year:
Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic

Jamahl Mosley has helped Orlando become a solid playoff team, and he has done a very good job of developing their players and the team’s defensive identity. With Desmond Bane coming into the fold, the Magic could make a serious playoff run in 2026.

2^nd: David Adelman, Denver Nuggets
3^rd: Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
4^th: Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
5^th: Mike Brown, New York Knicks

Others Receiving Votes:
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 NBA Executive of the Year:
Ben Tenzer, Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets made some savvy moves, as they flipped Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, and they added a deeper bench by acquiring Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Haradaway Jr., and Bruce Brown. They have veterans that occupy those spots to strengthen their roster, and they managed to get more players that will fit well around the talents of Jokic. The Nuggets have finally managed to deepen their roster and bench, which could help them make a deep playoff run in 2026.

2^nd: Rafael Stone, Houston Rockets
3^rd: Onsi Saleh, Atlanta Hawks
4^th: Lawrence Frank, Los Angeles Clippers
5^th: Mike Dunleavy Jr., Golden State Warriors

Others Receiving Votes:
Koby Altman, Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-NBA 1^st Team:

C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
C Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-NBA 2^nd Team:

F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-NBA 3^rd Team:

C Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
C Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
F Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
G Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers

Others Receiving Votes:
F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, F-C Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder

LeBron James and Stephen Curry were fantastic in the 2024 Olympics, and both players are living legends, as they will make the 2026 NBA All-Star Game a treat to watch. (Photo: Lapresse, via Marca.com)

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 Eastern Conference All-Star Team:

F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
F Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
F Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics 
G Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
G Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
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G Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
C Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
G Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
F Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
F Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
F Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
G Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 Western Conference All-Star Team:

C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
F Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
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C Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
F Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
G Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
G Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
F LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
G Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
F Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

Projected Eastern Conference All-Star Head Coach:
Mike Brown, New York Knicks

Projected Western Conference All-Star Head Coach:
David Adelman, Denver Nuggets

Others Receiving Votes:
F Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers, G Derrick White, Boston Celtics, Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets, Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder,

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-Rookie 1^st Team:

F Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
F Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
F Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
G VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
G Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-Rookie 2^nd Team:

C Khaman Maluach, Phoenix Suns
F Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
G Nique Clifford, Sacramento Kings
G Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets
G Walter Clayton, Utah Jazz

Others Receiving Votes:
G Tre Johnson, Washington Wizards

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-Defensive 1^st Team:

C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
C Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
F Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
G Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
G Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks

NBA Scouting Live’s Preseason 2025-26 All-Defensive 2^nd Team:

C Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
F OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
G Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
G Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder

Others Receiving Votes:
F Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves, G Derrick White, Boston Celtics, C Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves, F Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

Projected 2025-26 Eastern Conference Standings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
2. New York Knicks (47-35)
3. Orlando Magic (47-35)
4. Detroit Pistons (44-38)
5. Miami Heat (44-38)
6. Boston Celtics (42-40)
7. Chicago Bulls (40-42)
8. Atlanta Hawks (40-42)
9. Indiana Pacers (39-43)
10. Milwaukee Bucks (38-44)
11. Philadelphia 76ers (35-47)
12. Toronto Raptors (33-49)
13. Brooklyn Nets (32-50)
14. Charlotte Hornets (30-52)
15. Washington Wizards (24-58)
    

Projected 2025-26 Western Conference Standings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23)
2. Denver Nuggets (52-30)
3. Houston Rockets (49-33)
4. Los Angeles Clippers (49-33)
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
6. Golden State Warriors (48-34)
7. Dallas Mavericks (42-40)
8. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40)
9. Sacramento Kings (41-41)
10. Memphis Grizzlies (39-43)
11. Phoenix Suns (39-43)
12. San Antonio Spurs (38-44)
13. New Orleans Pelicans (36-46)
14. Portland Trail Blazers (32-50)
15. Utah Jazz (30-52)

2025-26 Preseason NBA Power Rankings (projected record in parenthesis):

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23)
2. New York Knicks (47-35)
3. Denver Nuggets (52-30)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
5. Houston Rockets (49-33)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
7. Orlando Magic (47-35)
8. Detroit Pistons (44-38)
9. Los Angeles Clippers (49-33)
10. Golden State Warriors (48-34)
11. Miami Heat (44-38)
12. Boston Celtics (42-40)
13. Los Angeles Lakers (42-40)
14. Sacramento Kings (41-41)
15. Atlanta Hawks (40-42)
16. Milwaukee Bucks (38-44)
17. Dallas Mavericks (42-40)
18. Chicago Bulls (40-42)
19. Indiana Pacers (39-43)
20. Memphis Grizzlies (39-43)
21. Phoenix Suns (39-43)
22. San Antonio Spurs (38-44)
23. New Orleans Pelicans (36-46)
24. Philadelphia 76ers (35-47)
25. Toronto Raptors (33-49)
26. Portland Trail Blazers (32-50)
27. Brooklyn Nets (32-50)
28. Utah Jazz (30-52)
29. Charlotte Hornets (30-52)
30. Washington Wizards (24-58)

The list may be bound to change as the season progresses, but as for now, that is how the team projections look to start the year.

Projected 2026 NBA Playoffs:

After some deliberation and consideration, here is how we project how the 2026 NBA Playoffs may go.

Play-In Tournament – Eastern Conference:

(8) Atlanta Hawks defeats (7) Chicago Bulls, Atlanta advances
(10) Milwaukee Bucks defeats (9) Indiana Pacers

(10) Milwaukee Bucks defeats (7) Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee advances

Play-In Tournament – Western Conference:

(8) Los Angeles Lakers defeats (7) Dallas Mavericks, LA Lakers advances
(9) Sacramento Kings defeats (10) Memphis Grizzlies

(9) Sacramento Kings defeats (7) Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento advances

1st Round – Eastern Conference:

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers defeats (8) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-1
(4) Detroit Pistons defeats (5) Miami Heat, 4-2

(3) Orlando Magic defeats (6) Boston Celtics, 4-2
(2) New York Knicks defeats (7) Atlanta Hawks, 4-2

1st Round – Western Conference:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (8) Sacramento Kings, 4-0
(5) Minnesota Timberwolves defeats (4) Los Angeles Clippers, 4-2

(3) Houston Rockets defeats (6) Golden State Warriors, 4-3
(2) Denver Nuggets defeats (7) Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1

2nd Round – Eastern Conference:

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers defeats (4) Detroit Pistons, 4-2
(2) New York Knicks defeats (3) Orlando Magic, 4-3

2nd Round – Western Conference:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (5) Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-2
(2) Denver Nuggets defeats (3) Houston Rockets, 4-3

Projected 2026 Eastern Conference Finals:
(2) New York Knicks defeats (1) Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-2

Projected 2026 Western Conference Finals:
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (2) Denver Nuggets, 4-3

Projected 2026 NBA Finals:
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeats (2) New York Knicks, 4-2

Projected 2026 NBA Champions:
Oklahoma City Thunder

Projected 2026 NBA Finals MVP:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Those are our predictions for the upcoming season. It will be fun and exciting to watch the upcoming NBA season, and it will begin today on October 21st. Thanks for reading.