With training camps approaching, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps polled 20 NBA coaches, scouts and front-office executives on the league’s hottest topics, from award races to roster moves and title forecasts.
MVP Front-Runners
Nikola Jokić topped the projection with seven votes, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (five) and Luka Dončić (four). Victor Wembanyama collected two votes, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Edwards received one apiece.
League’s Best Player
Nineteen of the 20 respondents named Jokić as the NBA’s premier talent. Dončić captured the only other vote.
LeBron James’ 2026-27 Destination
When asked where LeBron James will be in three seasons, seven insiders predicted he will still be with the Los Angeles Lakers. Five expect retirement, four pointed to a Cleveland Cavaliers return, two cited the Golden State Warriors, and one vote each went to the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat.
Offseason Grades
Executives labeled the Atlanta Hawks’ summer the league’s best, awarding them seven votes after acquisitions that included Kristaps Porziņģis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker plus a high lottery pick. The Denver Nuggets placed second with four votes, followed by the Houston Rockets (three), Oklahoma City Thunder (two), Orlando Magic (two), LA Clippers (one) and Los Angeles Lakers (one).
The New Orleans Pelicans were deemed to have the worst offseason, drawing nine votes. The Phoenix Suns received four, the Sacramento Kings two, while the Chicago Bulls, Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers each collected one.
Biggest Offseason Trend
Seven respondents highlighted avoiding the new collective bargaining agreement’s second luxury-tax apron as the dominant strategy. Prioritizing size earned six votes, while focusing on youth and depth pulled in four. Free agency’s declining influence, restricted free agents being squeezed, and the use of waive-and-stretch provisions each garnered one vote.
Conference and Championship Picks
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers led the way with nine votes, edging the New York Knicks (seven). The Atlanta Hawks captured two, with one vote each going to the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic.
The Western Conference was nearly unanimous: 18 insiders chose the Oklahoma City Thunder, and two selected the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder remained the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Finals, securing the same 18 votes. The Nuggets received the remaining two.
Source: Hoops Wire
