The NBA tips off its 80th season on Oct. 21, and the league finds itself at a fascinating crossroads. Last season ended with the Oklahoma City Thunder claiming their first championship in franchise history, winning a thrilling seven-game series over the Indiana Pacers. Coming off their historic championship run, Oklahoma City seems poised to go back to the finals this season and get ring number two. Yet in a league defined by parity, nothing is ever guaranteed, especially after an offseason marked by seismic shifts across coaching staffs and rosters. If the NBA ever promises anything, it’s drama played out over a league-wide battle for supremacy.
The Western Conference is a battleground of elite talent and championship aspirations. Despite all the superstar talent the West boasts, including both emerging phenoms and seasoned legends, I believe there are only three teams with a shot at making it to the finals.
At the top, the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder, led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA for short. The Thunder made moves in the offseason to retain their young core, extending Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who were crucial pieces in delivering Oklahoma City their first championship. The Thunder are young and hungry for more after winning their first title, making it difficult to bet against them.
Next are the Denver Nuggets, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Their offseason moves included acquiring Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valančiūnas, pieces that should help Denver get back to the Finals after being absent for the last two seasons. These additions not only bolster their depth around Jokić, but also signal Denver’s intent to reclaim its place among the league’s elite. If they meet Oklahoma City in the playoffs, expect an atmosphere rivaling that of the Finals itself.
Lastly are the Minnesota Timberwolves, who feel due for a title run. After back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota has proven it belongs in the upper echelon of the league. Their leader is a 24-year-old Anthony Edwards, a future league MVP who may be the most exciting player to watch in the NBA. The Wolves have built a roster that blends the veteran experience of Julius Randle and Mike Conley with the youthful upside of Edwards and Naz Reid. With the West only getting better, it feels like now or never for Minnesota. Anything short of a finals appearance this season should be viewed as a failure by the organization.
Many Western Conference teams are built around aging superstars nearing the end of their careers. The Houston Rockets, for instance, have added Kevin Durant to their young core, but I believe their true breakthrough will come once Durant inevitably leaves or retires. The Los Angeles Lakers continue to draw praise from fans and media, yet their roster remains top-heavy. Outside of Luka Dončić and LeBron James, there’s little reliable support. Still, if this is LeBron’s final season, a championship send-off would give his illustrious career the storybook ending it deserves. The Golden State Warriors, with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler still in the fold, remain competitive, but I don’t see them making it past the second round—which pains me to say as a fan.
Amid season-ending injuries to stars like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, the landscape of the Eastern Conference has shifted dramatically. This feels like the kind of season where an unexpected team makes a Cinderella run to the Finals and topples a Western Conference powerhouse, à la the 2004 Detroit Pistons. The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks are teams that could take on the task of causing a major upset in the postseason. Other Eastern Conference teams, like the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers, hover in the middle tier of the East. Each of these three teams has the star power to be promising but has a track record of lacking depth and durability. Despite how open the East feels, there are still two teams that are undeniably better than the others.
The Cleveland Cavaliers finished last season with a conference-best 64 wins, but their run was cut short in the second round by Tyrese Haliburton, whose uncanny ability to deliver in the clutch pushed Indiana to the Conference Finals. It was a bitter ending to a promising campaign, but Cleveland enters this season with a reinforced roster and renewed focus on bringing a title home. The addition of Lonzo Ball brings more versatility to an already versatile Cavaliers roster. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and, of course, Donovan Mitchell all deserve their shot to win a championship. The only thing Cleveland has to do is prove they’re ready for it.
Last season, the New York Kicks reached their first conference championship in 25 years. Despite this breakthrough, the Knicks fell short of the finals and fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons with the team. New York now turns to veteran coach Mike Brown, who they hope will help unlock the full potential of a strong Knicks roster. Jalen Brunson, the leader of this roster, is coming off another MVP-caliber season. His teammates include Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks didn’t make any splash acquisitions in the offseason, but the general belief in New York is that the roster is poised and ready to win a championship. If all goes well and Mike Brown is what the Knicks hope he is, then New York could finally break through and end their championship drought.
The NBA finds itself in a moment of uncertainty this season. It seems like there are unlimited possibilities in a league built on moments that vanish in an instant. Every team begins the season with hope, every player with a dream and every fan with belief that it could be their year. This season promises to be a stage for greatness. All that remains is to watch it unfold.
As for my predictions…
Most Valuable Player: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
No doubt his first of many. The scoring ability and explosiveness have always been there; he’s just lacked consistency and prolonged efficiency. Now, with six years of experience, he should be able to harness his gifts consistently and prove himself as the best player in the NBA.
Eastern Conference Champions: Cleveland Cavaliers
Western Conference Champions: Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA Champions: Cleveland Cavaliers
While anything is possible, I did play it safe with my Finals prediction. Both of my finals teams have been yearning for a chance at the championship. There’s no question both teams deserve a title, but who wants it more? For me, the answer to that question is Cleveland. Minnesota’s time will come, but this will be the best chance Cleveland gets; they won’t let it slip away.
