"2026 NBA Season Preview: Thunder Up, Who's Next?"

Welcome to the 2026 NBA season preview! We're a few hours away 
from tip-off in what'll be eighty-two games of tense basketball. Who can 
dethrone the Oklahoma City Thunder as they begin their repeat run? 
The western conference is stacked and will be hunting for OKC's best 
every night. With that, let's breakdown the western conference. 

OKC Thunder: We start with the defending champions Oklahoma City 
Thunder, fresh off winning their first title in franchise history. Led by MVP 
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this will be a true test as if last season's run 
wasn't a fluke. Retaining the core of players and not worrying about 
second apron tiers, OKC is surely to be the number one seed in 2026. 
Prediction: 62-20

Los Angeles Lakers: "Championship mindset and shape" has been 
head coach JJ Redick's message for everyone heading into 2026. After 
a midseason trade for Luka Doncic, LA played home postseason 
basketball for the first time since 2011. With the unknown future of 
LeBron James, he won't make the opening night game due to a back 
injury. Adding Marcus Smart, DeAndre Ayton, and solid rotational 
players, will the Lakers have enough depth to keep pace with the 
western conference? A much slimmer Doncic is primed to win the MVP 
in 2026.

Prediction: 61-21

Houston Rockets: Kevin Durant is the biggest name in Houston from a
blockbuster trade in which the Rockets needed. Trading Jalen Green in
the deal, it was a win for both sides. Question is: can Houston find a
second scorer with Fred VanFleet out for the season? A young core of
players, head coach Ime Udoka will get the most out of KD, but we all

know the verses: once things go sour, KD finds a way out. Signing a two
year extension for $90 million dollars, Houston can only hope it works.

Prediction: 59-23

Golden State Warriors: A trio of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and
Jimmy Butler equals old age in basketball years. Each of them are over
thirty and can still give you work on neither side. Problem is: the health
of Curry will be a tall-tale sign if Golden State is among the best teams
in a crowded west. Adding veteran Al Horford was a okay signing but his
role is mainly a spot up shooter and presence. The west has young legs
and tempo, but Golden State's brand revolves around Curry's three
point shooting. Butler will have a full season in the Bay Area and looking
to put 2025 behind him.

Prediction: 57-25

Denver Nuggets: A mystery team heading into 2026 as franchise
superstar Nikola Jokic's future will linger leading into the all-star break.
No contract extension was signed, and it raised the eyebrows of fans. A
team who just three seasons ago won their first title. Aging players,
head coaching changes and uncertainty, Denver has their work cut out
and keeping pace to win enough games. Nobody knows what the new
look Nuggets will pan out to be. Too many questions, not enough
answers as we speak. Nevertheless, they'll have a top five spot in the
postseason.

Prediction: 54-28

Minnesota Timberwolves: Superstar Anthony Edwards has led the
Timberwolves in back to back Western Conference Finals. With a
crowded conference, every game matters. Pretty good during the
regular season, kinda flaming out near the end because of attrition. It's
one of those areas which Minnesota has the biggest flaw: Rudy Goebert
's lack for offense. Only serves as a defensive specialist, but how does

he help them offensively? With the same core and veterans, it'll be
highs and lows for the Timberwolves.
Prediction: 53-29

Dallas Mavericks: Let the Cooper Flagg era begin in Dallas; as they'll
begin their quest for competing right away. After trading away Luka
Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks will need all
hands on deck in 2026. Minus Kyrie Irving who'll be nursing a ACL
injury, they'll need every minute and game count. Davis' health is a
sticking point in rather Dallas' championship window stays open. With
Flagg leading the way, growing pains and high expectations will either
have playoff hopes or midseason misery with injuries.
Prediction: 50-32

Memphis Grizzles: "Are y'all good in the west Ja?" Crazy how things
change from a couple seasons ago when Memphis was already calling
themselves a dynasty without winning anything. Superstar Ja Morant
has more of a burden to lead this team after the firing of their head
coach in 2025. Making the playoffs and losing Morant while getting
dismantled by Oklahoma City. This season is make or break for Morant,
as he enters his seventh season. Retaining Jaren Jackson Jr, adding
KCP in trading Desmond Bane to Orlando. It's a roster of unknown in
part of Morant being the guy. His off the court nonsense has derailed
any traction Memphis has in a very crowded west.
Prediction: 49-33

Los Angeles Clippers: The comedy writes itself right! Kawhi Leonard's
name has been uttered more than ever. A scandal in which he's denied
and faded away from since the summer. Steve Ballmer's antics in not
knowing what happened is a talking point among NBA circles. His
involvement and Leonard's subliminal comments have fans screaming
"guilty!" With that, a very out of dated roster including Chris Paul, who'll

retire upon the conclusion of 2026. Bradley Beal, an all-star whose
battle injuries and not being able to find any traction since leaving
Washington. And... James Harden, who can be good but under perform
in the postseason. Head coach Ty Lue will have to keep everyone
happy and find the right lineups for his ball dominant superstars. With
the lingering investigation, I'm here for all the comedy of their downfall!
Prediction: 48-34

San Antonio Spurs: Can the Spurs make a little noise and run the
tables in 2026? Wemby looks to take a superstar leap in leading San
Antonio back into contention. With De'Aaron Fox's arrival via trade in
2025, the Spurs have plenty of growing to do. Again, a crowded
conference in which they'll be stacked against can be the early undoing.
With a new head coach and core roster, they could surprise a lot of
people. Do I see play-in? Possibly but to win a playoff series? To be
determined.
Prediction: 47-35

New Orleans Pelicans: Superstar Zion Williamson has "slimmed" down
into shape. Finally, after his career being marred with injuries. But the
question is: will it continue for eighty-two games without a flare up?
There's not much to like about this Pelicans team as they look to shake
up the team. New President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars is
from the old school of winning and constructing teams. A new man in
charge demanding this team to be great will come with lofty
expectations. It's a tall-task for a team and playing against superior
rosters.
Prediction: 44-38

Phoenix Suns: You can't create a NBA2K roster with superstars and
expect it to work. As the front office has learned in a sour way. Trading
Kevin Durant, buying out Bradley Beal and resigning Devin Booker. A

team who haven't reached playoff success since 2021 which they made
the NBA Finals. It's been very little to be desired and Booker is staying
loyal to the team who drafted him. With Jalen Green, Phoenix isn't quite
a playoff team as we speak. What makes anyone believe it could
happen? Nothing to be excited about, moral wins and losses for 2026.
Prediction: 42-40

Sacramento Kings: The Kings have been an utter joke and not going
to impress a lot of people in 2026. Signing Russell Westbrook, a
journeyman point guard who's settled into role playing will get his stats.
DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray are back in the fray.
But, this team isn't competing for anything but loyal fans and highlights.
Not even remotely close to playoff contention by any means. They'll win
games, but don't be surprised if Westbrook has blunders which will drive
fans out of their seats.
Prediction: 41-41

Portland Trail Blazers: Franchise superstar Damian Lillard returns
home after a two year stint with Milwaukee. A player who's truly loyal to
the soil and didn't want to leave in the first place. Nursing a gruesome
Achilles heal injury for 2026, Lillard's mere presence will ignite this fan
base. With the emergence of a young core and bringing veteran Jrue
Holiday, Portland will compete but have their losses. Expect a decent
season and be in the playoff hunt late February.
Prediction: 40-42

Utah Jazz: Draft pick galore and plenty of cap space in Utah. Nothing
exciting about this team, other than rookie Ace Bailey. I don't expect
Utah to win a lot of games, but compete in losing efforts. Can they
reignite a starving fanbase and stay relevant in 2026? To be
determined.
Prediction: 32-50