The 2025-2026 NBA Season is officially underway

With new looks, relocated stars, and new faces, the NBA will bring an exciting energy that basketball has been missing since June this season.

Rookie Standouts 

The 2025 rookie class is one of the best in a while. 

The first pick of this rookie class and the first pick in the 2025 NBA draft Cooper Flagg has the talent to make the Dallas Mavericks a championship team. In his preseason debut, he scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in just 14 minutes. Flagg has much potential, and this is just a short preview of his bright future.

With the second pick, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Dylan Harper, a 6’6 guard from Rutgers University. Harper is a promising young guard. In his first preseason game he scored 9 points and shot 67% from the field. 

Coming off of leading the Florida Gators to a National Championship, Walter Clayton Jr. was drafted by the Washington Wizards. He looked great in his second preseason game, scoring  20 points and grabbing 5 assists. Clayton could be the star guard the Wizards have desperately been looking for.

Biggest Offseason Moves 

The 2025 NBA offseason featured some big moves. Big market teams are trying to secure the key pieces they need to win an NBA championship and some players have even returned to their old teams in search of a title or postseason success.

The biggest move in the NBA this offseason was the first ever seven-team trade in NBA history. Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant was the key piece of this blockbuster deal, as he was acquired by the Houston Rockets. Durant has established himself as one of the greatest overall players in NBA history. He has shown great ability to score, lots of basketball IQ, and tons of versatility. This move has serious potential to make the Rockets take that next step towards a championship, pairing Kevin Durant’s veteran presence with young superstars Amen Thompson and Alpren Sengun. This gives the team lots of talent on both sides of the ball. In his Rockets debut last night, Durant scored 23 points before fouling out in double overtime. The Rockets had a great showing against the returning 2025 NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Another huge acquisition this offseason was the signing of Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are hoping that pairing him with NBA-All Star Giannis Antetokounmpo can help take pressure off of the forward’s plate. Last season in Indiana, Turner showed his great ability to protect the rim and secure lots of rebounds. He also shot 40% from the 3. Turner can be the key piece the Bucks are looking for to try to win another NBA Championship. 

NBA Championship Favorites

Per ESPN, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the best odds to win the NBA championship, as they are the defending champions. The next team with the best chance is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were 64-18 last season. After the Cavs  are the Denver Nuggets and then the Knicks.

Below are our predictions for the NBA Season:

Standings Predictions (Matt)

Eastern Conference 

1. Cavaliers (60-22) 
2. Knicks (57-25)
3. Bucks (52-30)
4. Pistons (51-31)
5. 76ers (48-34)
6. Magic (46-36)
7. Hawks (42-40)
8. Celtics (40-42)
9. Pacers (39-43)
10.  Heat (39-43)
11.  Hornets (37-45)
12.  Bulls (32-50)
13.  Raptors (29-53)
14. Nets (26-56)
15. Wizards (23-59)

Western Conference 

1. Rockets (62-20)
2. Thunder (58-24)
3. Warriors (57-25)
4. Mavericks (52-30)
5. Nuggets (50-32)
6. Timberwolves (48-34)
7. Lakers (44-38)
8. Spurs (43-39)
9. Grizzlies (42-40)
10.  Pelicans (39-43)
11. Clippers (35-47)
12. Suns (34-48)
13. Kings (32-50)
14.  Jazz (29-53)
15.  Trailblazers (25-57) 

Standing Predictions (Nate)

Eastern Conference

1. Knicks (62-20)
2. Cavaliers (55-31)
3. Knicks (51-31)
4. Pistons (49-33)
5. Magic (47-35)
6. Bucks (45-37)
7. 76ers (44-38)
8. Pacers (42-40)
9. Heat (41-41)
10.  Hawks (39-43)
11.  Bulls (38-44)
12.  Wizards (38-44)
13.  Raptors (30-52)  
14.  Hornets (24-58)
15.  Nets (22-60)

Western Conference

1. Thunder (66-16)
2. Nuggets (57-25)
3. Warriors (55-27)
4. Lakers (52-30)
5. Grizzlies (48-34)
6. Rockets (46-36)
7. Mavericks (43-39)
8. Spurs (41-41)
9. Trailblazers (40-42)
10.  Clippers (38-44)
11.  Pelicans (37-45)
12.  Spurs (35-47)
13.  Suns (34-48)
14.  Kings (29-53)
15.  Jazz (21-61)