- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the season as title favorites with a 99.9% playoff probability and 60.7 projected wins, despite shedding Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins in salary-clearing moves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seeks a third consecutive MVP alongside All-NBA teammates Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. The Thunder bring back the league's top defense with recent All-Defensive selections Wallace, Williams and Alex Caruso, though a bold forecast sees them finishing second behind Victor Wembanyama's Spurs.
San Antonio also holds 99.9% playoff odds with 59.1 projected wins. Coach Johnson said Wembanyama "allows you to think outside the box in almost any way you want to," enabling three-guard looks with De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. Reigning Sixth Man Keldon Johnson and record-setting shooter Julian Champagnie bolster the attack, but the frontcourt remains thin beyond Wembanyama, Tobias Harris and Luke Kornet.
A frenetic offseason reshaped contenders. Giannis Antetokounmpo relocated to Miami, Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia and Ja Morant to Portland. Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto, while LaMelo Ball paired with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. The Lakers landed a new lob threat for Luka Doncic, and a 41-year-old legend coast-hopped to form the league's newest superteam. A deep 2026 rookie class also arrived.
Source: ESPN - Mon Oct 19, 7:06 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).