With the 2026-27 NBA season underway, it’s time to make some predictions. Who’s winning MVP? Which team is lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy? And who’s about to have a season nobody saw coming?
Anyone can pick the favourites, but it takes a little more guts to make a bold prediction. So we’re skipping the safe bets and making some predictions you probably didn’t see coming. Will they all pan out? Probably not, but that’s half the fun.
Anthony Edwards Wins MVP
Victor Wembanyama is the early favourite for MVP, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are always going to be in the conversation. But what if Anthony Edwards finally puts everything together and takes home the biggest individual award in basketball?
Edwards already has the scoring ability, confidence and personality to be the face of the league. He’s also at the stage of his career where another jump in production, combined with a strong season from Minnesota, could be enough to push him ahead of the competition. The Timberwolves have been knocking on the door, and a deep playoff run would only strengthen his case.
The real difference could be his consistency. Edwards has never lacked for highlight-reel moments, but an MVP campaign requires showing up night after night, including those ugly road games in February when everyone looks ready for the All-Star break. If he does that, don’t be surprised when he’s holding the trophy.
The Toronto Raptors Reach the Eastern Conference Finals
Raptors fans, it’s time to get a little excited. Kawhi Leonard is back in Toronto, seven years after leading the franchise to its first NBA championship, and this time he’s joining a team that’s already on the rise. The Raptors won 46 games last season, finished fifth in the East and pushed Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs. Now they’ve added a two-time Finals MVP to the mix.
The big question is how Kawhi fits alongside Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Toronto gave up Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to bring Leonard back, so there’s a clear bet on his ability to make an immediate impact. If he stays healthy, his scoring, perimeter defence and playoff experience could be exactly what this group needs to take the next step.
Of course, Kawhi’s health is the elephant in the room. He’s 35, and Toronto can’t expect him to carry the team for 82 games. But the playoffs are a different story, and few players know better than Kawhi what it takes to get through them. If Barnes continues to develop into a genuine two-way star and the supporting cast does its job, Toronto has a shot at turning Kawhi’s return into something much bigger than a nostalgic reunion.
LeBron James and the 76ers Miss the Playoffs
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining the Sixers alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid is the sort of move that makes you immediately start imagining championship parades. Philadelphia suddenly has a frightening amount of star power on its roster, and expectations are going to be sky-high.
But here’s the thing: having a lineup filled with big names doesn’t automatically make you a great team. Basketball still requires chemistry, defensive commitment, sensible rotations and enough healthy bodies to survive an 82-game season. And with this many stars sharing the floor, figuring out who gets the ball and when could take longer than expected.
LeBron can still take over games, but he’s 41, and Father Time doesn’t exactly take nights off. Embiid’s availability is another obvious concern, while fitting Brown and Maxey into the mix could create some growing pains. If injuries hit or the chemistry never quite clicks, this roster could look a lot less intimidating by midseason.
That’s why we’re predicting that the Sixers miss the playoffs entirely. Yes, we’re talking about a team with this much talent failing to make the postseason, which is exactly why it’s a bold call.
Cooper Flagg Makes First Team All-NBA
Cooper Flagg made a statement in his rookie season, averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while taking home Rookie of the Year honours. Now we’re predicting an even bigger leap in Year 2: Flagg earns a spot on the All-NBA First Team.
His all-around game is what makes this leap possible. Flagg can score at all three levels, create opportunities for teammates and make an impact defensively, giving him more ways to influence games than simply putting up points. If he takes another step as a scorer and the Mavericks build around his strengths, he could quickly become one of the league’s most productive players.
Born on December 21, 2006, he’ll turn 20 during the season. If Flagg is named First Team All-NBA, he would become the youngest player ever to earn the honour. It’s a massive prediction for a player who’s technically still a teenager, but after what he accomplished last season, it feels like only a matter of time until he’s up there with the best players in the world.
The Miami Heat Win the NBA Championship
Every season, there’s a team that gets overlooked until it’s suddenly too late to ignore them. The New York Knicks just showed how quickly a team can go from playoff hopeful to legitimate title contender. This year, we’re making an even bolder call: the Miami Heat win it all.
The biggest reason? A frontcourt pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Giannis brings the power and scoring to overwhelm defences, while Bam provides elite rim protection and versatility. Together, they could be a nightmare matchup in a seven-game series. Add veteran shooters like Klay Thompson stepping up to punish teams for collapsing on Giannis, and Miami has the ingredients for a serious title run.
We could easily picture the Heat knocking off a few favourites on its way to the championship. It might sound wild now, but with Giannis and Bam leading the way and Riley’s winning culture driving the team, don’t count the Heat out.