Predicting the End of Season NBA Standings
30: Indiana Pacers
With the lack of Tyrese Haliburton (PG) for the entire season, 6-31 record almost halfway through the season, and a 12 game loss streak as of writing this; I don't see them winning more than 15 games. My Prediction is 13-69
29: Sacramento Kings
I think when the trade deadline comes, they'll make a really bad trade, leading to them dropping a spot in the standings. I feel like they'll realistically trade away a star for either a couple picks, or get a player they don't need. My Prediction is 16-66
28: New Orleans Pelicans
Even though they acquired Jordan Poole (PG), and have let Trey Murphy III (SF) develop into the starting SF, I don't think they’ll move too much and will end 28th overall. Unless they make some big offseason or trade deadline moves, they’ll be stuck around bottom seeding for a while. My prediction is 17-65
27: Utah Jazz
Although the Jazz have Lauri Markkanen (PF) and a young promising star in Keyonte George (PG), they have a very weak bench along with Ace Bailey (SF) starting instantly because of the lack of SF depth. If they can't get a real Shooting Guard with their 1st round pick, i dont see them moving up until they make trades or get good free agency. My Prediction is 20-62
26: Dallas Mavericks
For the fact that all of the pressure is on Rookie Cooper Flagg (F)–who’s also the youngest in the league–I think the Mavs will drop a few spots. After the Luka trade they’ve very obviously been on a downhill spiral. My Prediction is 22-60
25: Brooklyn Nets
Even though they have a strong core 4, I don't see the Nets making it anywhere, after selling and getting what everyone thought would be the next superteam (Durant, Kyrie, Harden), they haven't been close to the playoffs since that team quickly fell apart. Even though I see a lot in Cam Thomas (SG) and Nic Claxton (C), they won't have chances until they leave the Brooklyn Nets. My Prediction is 25-57
24: Atlanta Hawks
The only reason the Hawks aren't ranked lower is because of the fact they already have 18 wins. Why would they trade away Trae Young (PG) for basically nothing, they could've got at least the Phoenix Suns pick swap that the Wizards have. My Prediction is 27-55
23: Los Angelas Clippers
With 3 of the Clippers best (Harden (PG), Kawhi (PF), Beal (SG)) being very injury prone and some currently injured, I don't see the Clippers making it any time soon unless they make some more good moves like John Collins (PF). My Prediction is 28-54
22: Washington Wizards
When healthy, this young squad (plus Khris Middleton (SF)) can show out and get wins. Bilal Coulibaly (PG) has immense potential and Alex Sarr (C) was a standout in last season’s rookie class. The Wizards just acquired Trae Young (PG) by sending CJ McCollum (PG) and Corey Kispert (SF) to the Hawks. The Wizards easily win this trade by getting a top PG and giving away no draft picks in the process. Even though Trae is a great addition, it's difficult to give them a higher record until further years. My Prediction is changed to 30-52
21: Charlotte Hornets
The hornets haven't been in the playoffs in 9 years, and in the last few seasons they haven’t changed that much. Meaning I believe they will go 10 straight years out of the playoffs. They have some good pieces like LaMelo Ball (PG) and Miles Bridges (F) with just no execution. My prediction is 31-52
(E 10th) 20: Milwuakee Bucks
In all reality, the Bucks will trade away star Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF) before the trade deadline. Regardless of who Milwaukee brings in for Giannis, the chemistry of the team will be killed, the Bucks will fall and will probably go into rebuild mode depending on how said trade would go. I believe they will lose in the play-in leading to my prediction being 35-47
(W 10th) 19: Memphis Grizzlies
As a Grizzlies fan this hurts to put, but when our star Ja Morant (PG) is still dealing with injuries and is very obviously close to getting traded, it’s hard to put them anywhere higher than the Play-In picture. Jaren (PF) is still a phenomenal 2 way and defensive player; Zach Edey (C) is going strong in his 2nd year but when it’s all said and done, i think the Grizzlies will finish 38-44
(W 9th) 18: Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers’ backcourt is very strong with the Jrue Holiday (SG) and Damian Lillard (PG) duo. The only problem there is the fact both of these players are aging and won't be as impactful of players after another season or 2. But I still believe the Blazers will finish 18th overall. My prediction is 39-43
(E 9th) 17: Chicago Bulls
I think the Bulls will stay somewhere around the middle of the standings, still making the play-in tournament but keeping their record somewhere around .500. If they somehow made a huge trade before the deadline they may be able to make it higher up and possibly secure a playoff spot. Thankfully they were able to get a win over the Celtics on January 24th for Derrick Rose’s (PG) jersey retirement. my prediction is 40-42
(W 8th) 16: Golden State Warriors
The trio of Steph (PG), Kuminga (F) and Butler (SF) is very strong which I think will lead the Warriors to another play-in where this time I do believe they will lose to the Suns which are further into this list. This could be Steph’s final playoff chances but we’ll just have to see. It sucks to see Butler injured halfway into the season, hopefully they can stay strong. My Prediction is 41-41
(E 8th) 15: Philadelphia 76ers
I think the Sixers will drop from the East 5th and overall 13th to East 8th and overall 15th. Joel Embiid (C) is only getting older and Maxey (PG) realistically can't carry the entire Sixers team. Hopefully Embiid can stay healthy and they'll still secure a play-in spot regardless. My prediction is 42-40
(W 7th) 14: Phoenix Suns
With the way that Jalen Green (SF) was injured in early November, I'm worried about their chances in the playoffs but I do believe that Devin Booker (PG) and Dillon Brooks (SF) can hold it down until he hopefully returns this season. My Prediction is 44-38
(E 7th) 13: Miami Heat
The Heat have a fairly strong squad with Herro (SG), Adebayo (PF/C), and Mitchell (PG). They have potential in the playoffs this season, but they are missing some key elements to the team like a Power Forward. My prediction is going to be close to the Suns with 45-37
(E 6th) 12: Orlando Magic
The Magic are typically a playoff contending team, and this year is another one of those years. They are a very strong team with stars Paolo Banchero (PF) and Franz Wagner (SF) leading the team into the 2026 playoffs. Although Banchero (PF) has done poorly enough to acquire the nickname ‘PBnoJ’, i think the team can still make the play in. My Prediction is 46-35
(W 6th) 11: Houston Rockets
The Rockets standings are fairly similar to their current ones, rising one spot in the east but the same in the overall standings. I think with a Kevin Durant (SF) and Amen Thompson (SG) led backcourt and an Alperen Sengun (C) led frontcourt, the Rockets have a chance within these next few years. My Prediction is 47-33
(E 5th) 10th: Cleveland Cavaliers
Although I have them ranked high, I know what happens to the Cavs every single year they've recently made the playoffs: Everyone but Donovan Mitchell (SG) and Jarrett Allen (C) gets hurt, leading to them being forced to carry the team barely into the second round and losing badly. My prediction for the Cavs is 50-32
(W 5th) 9: Minnesota TimberWolves
With a star like Anthony Edwards (SG) it's hard for them to not make the playoffs, and amidst all the rumor of the TimberWolves being Ja Morant’s (PG) trade destination, may secure a further playoff seeding. Shout out to Rob Dillingham’s (PG) biggest fan, Camdyn Dover. My Prediction is 51-31
(W 4th) 8: Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets will continue to be a playoff contending team as long as Nikola Jokic (C) and Jamal Murray (PG) continue to play the way they have over the last 5 years. The young upcoming Christian Braun (SG) is able to help Jamal Murray in the front court while Aaron Gordon (SF/PF) continues to hold down the Power Forward Position. My Prediction is 54-28
(E 4th) 7: Toronto Raptors
Everyone knew the Raptors were contenders last season, but injuries prevented it in the 2024-25 season. This year, with Ingram (SF) and Barnes (PF) healthy, the Raptors have a chance to make a solid playoff run, and possibly win the finals in the next few years while Ingram is still in his prime. My Prediction is 55-27
(E 3rd) 6: Boston Celtics
The Celtics are never a team to count out in the playoffs, although the loss of Jrue Holiday (PG) and Kristaps Porzingis (C) last season was rough, acquiring Anfernee Simons (PG) and Neemias Queta (C) stepping into a starting role was able to push this team. My prediction is 56-26
(E 2nd) 5: Detroit Pistons
With Cade Cunningham (PG) and Jalen Duran (PF/C) stepping up and making this Pistons team a favorite for the finals, shows the true potential this team has. As of writing this, they are 28-10, making them the current East 1 seed and overall 2nd seed. But I do believe the Pistons will fall a few spots and others going up. But when it’s all said and done, Cade has future MVP written all over him. My prediction is 58-24
(W 3rd) 4: Los Angelas Lakers
After the Luka Doncic (G) trade, The Lakers have thrived to lengths that bring them to the overall 4th seed in my opinion. It's hard to pass the Thunder and Wembanyama’s (C) spurs. Leading to my thought being they have a strong spot being 3rd in the west. My prediction is 60-22
(E 1st) 3: New York Knicks
I think the sheer experience and talent the Knicks have will push them to the 1st in the east and 3rd overall. Brunson (PG) and KAT (PF/C) are a strong duo accompanied by Josh Hart (F) and OG Anunoby (SF/SG), leading to my prediction of them going to the finals this year. My Prediction is 61-21
(W 2nd) 2: San Antonio Spurs
With the young future of the team, Victor Wembanyama (C), and a young Starting 5 accompanied by a strong bench, I believe they have the strength to make the 2nd seed. In this era they are the Cavaliers to the Warriors that is the current OKC Thunder. Everyone on this team is either fairly young or in their prime, they have plenty of time to win a ring with Victor Wembanyama. My prediction is 64-18
(W 1st) 1: Oklahoma City Thunder
Initially there was some doubt with the Thunder. So much hype and pressure around a young and developing team can cause a drop in seeding. But the fact Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG) won both MVP and FMVP in the same year shows that this is the next dynasty. If any team can go back to back it's this Thunder team. I don't see them losing too many more games in this season. My prediction is 71-11
NBA Mock Playoff Bracket (Based on Standings)
Personally, I have the Thunder going all the way, winning back to back years, becoming one of the next big dynasties in the NBA. Although they lost, the Spurs put up a good fight, bringing it to a close game 7, showing they have the ability to become champions wiht Victor Wembanyama (C). The New York Knicks may have the experience and talent from Karl Anthony-Towns (FC) and Jalen Brunson (PG) but they still dont match up to this stacked OKC Thunder team.
End of Season Awards Predictions
- NBA MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama (C)
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg (F)
- Eastern Conference Finals MVP: Karl Anthony-Towns (FC)
- Western Conference Finals MVP: Jalen Williams (SF)
- NBA Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG)
All images sourced from NBA
Playoff Bracket created on Bracket HQ