The 2025-26 NBA season is still more than a month away, but a panel of ESPN insiders has already published its projected standings for all 30 teams. The forecast, released Wednesday, places the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the head of the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively.
Eastern Conference
Contenders
• Cleveland Cavaliers 59-23
• New York Knicks 54-28
• Orlando Magic 50-32
• Atlanta Hawks 47-35
• Detroit Pistons 47-35
Cleveland returns 93 percent of last year’s minutes and adds defenders Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. Despite losing Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton to season-ending Achilles injuries, the Celtics and Pacers remain potential threats—but the panel sees the Cavs, Knicks and Magic as the clearest paths to the No. 1 seed.
Play-in range
• Milwaukee Bucks 46-36
• Boston Celtics 43-39
• Philadelphia 76ers 40-42
• Miami Heat 39-43
• Indiana Pacers 39-43
Injuries reshape this middle tier. Damian Lillard’s torn Achilles led Milwaukee to trade him, Tatum’s injury prompted Boston to break up its championship core, and Haliburton’s Finals injury stalled Indiana’s rise. Miami, now without Jimmy Butler III, and a health-questioned Philadelphia round out the group.
Bottom five
• Chicago Bulls 36-46
• Toronto Raptors 33-49
• Charlotte Hornets 26-56
• Brooklyn Nets 23-59
• Washington Wizards 20-62
Toronto’s decision to extend Brandon Ingram puts pressure on a roster expected to chase, at minimum, a play-in berth. Chicago and Charlotte hover between rebuilding and competing, while Brooklyn and Washington are projected to focus on the 2026 draft.
Western Conference
Contenders
• Oklahoma City Thunder 64-18
• Houston Rockets 54-28
• Denver Nuggets 53-29
• Minnesota Timberwolves 51-31
• LA Clippers 50-32
• Los Angeles Lakers 50-32
Oklahoma City, the league’s youngest title team in almost 50 years, returns its full rotation and could push 70 wins. Houston acquired Kevin Durant to fill its late-game scoring gap, Denver upgraded depth by swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson, and the Lakers begin the Luka Doncic era with LeBron James still on the roster.
Play-in range
• Golden State Warriors 48-34
• Dallas Mavericks 44-38
• San Antonio Spurs 44-38
• Memphis Grizzlies 42-40
Veteran groups in Golden State and Dallas may have to navigate the play-in after grueling regular seasons. San Antonio’s rebuild around Victor Wembanyama is forecast to jump into the mid-40s in wins, while Memphis appears to be stepping back after trading Desmond Bane.
Bottom five
• Portland Trail Blazers 39-43
• Sacramento Kings 37-45
• Phoenix Suns 30-52
• New Orleans Pelicans 26-56
• Utah Jazz 19-63
Portland looks toward the future with rookie Yang Hansen and guard Scoot Henderson, Sacramento begins its first full season under coach Doug Christie, and Phoenix turns to a rebuild centered on Devin Booker. New Orleans’ outlook depends on Zion Williamson’s durability, while Utah continues a long-term overhaul led by newcomer Ace Bailey.
The full ESPN projection will continue Thursday with predicted conference and NBA Finals winners, following earlier forecasts for the league’s major individual awards.
Source: ESPN
