The start of NBA training camps is still a little more than a month away, but it’s not too early to look ahead at the upcoming regular season.
A busy offseason that saw stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami Heat), LeBron James (Philadelphia 76ers) and Jaylen Brown (76ers) find new homes has mostly wrapped up as teams enjoy their final month of summer vacation before getting back to hoops.
Advertisement
And with that fluctuation in personnel comes a new hierarchy and balance of power in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Either way, all teams are chasing the New York Knicks, who snapped a 53-year title drought in dramatic fashion by knocking of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. The Spurs, of course, remain one of the teams to beat in the West.
Here’s a look at projections for every team, based on our view of what each team’s record will be at the end of the 2026-27 regular season:
1 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
(Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images)
1 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games)
(Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images)
2 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)
(Kyle Terada, Imagn Images)
3 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games)
(Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports)
4 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games)
(Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)
5 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
(Adam Glanzman, Getty Images)
6 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2021: Milwaukee Bucks (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
7 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2020: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Miami Heat in six games)
(Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)
8 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2019: Toronto Raptors (beat Golden State Warriors in six games)
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
9 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2018: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in four games)
(David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
10 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2017: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in five games)
(Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports)
11 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (beat Golden State Warriors in seven games)
(Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)
12 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2015: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in six games)
(Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
13 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2014: San Antonio Spurs (beat Miami Heat in five games)
(Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports)
14 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2013: Miami Heat (beat San Antonio Spurs in seven games)
(Brendan Maloney=, USA TODAY Sports)
15 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2012: Miami Heat (beat Oklahoma City Thunder in five games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
16 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2008: Boston Celtics (beat Los Angeles Lakers in six games)
(GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP via Getty Images)
17 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2005: San Antonio Spurs (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
(ROBERT SULLIVAN, AFP via Getty Images)
18 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2004: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games)
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
19 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2003: San Antonio Spurs (beat New Jersey Nets in six games)
(JAMES NIELSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
20 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2002: Los Angeles Lakers (beat New Jersey Nets in four games)
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
21 / 33
NBA champions through the years
2001: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Philadelphia 76ers in five games)
(STAN HONDA, AFP via Getty Images)
22 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1999: San Antonio Spurs (beat New York Knicks five games)
(TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP via Getty Images)
23 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1997: Chicago Bulls (beat Utah Jazz in six games)
(JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images)
24 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1996: Chicago Bulls (beat Seattle SuperSonics in six games)
(PAUL BUCK, AFP via Getty Images)
25 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1995: Houston Rockets (beat Orlando Magic in four games)
(PAUL BUCK, AFP via Getty Images)
26 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1994: Houston Rockets (beat New York Knicks in seven games)
(BOB STRONG, AFP via Getty Images)
27 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1993: Chicago Bulls (beat Phoenix Suns in six games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
28 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1992: Chicago Bulls (beat Portland Trail Blazers in six games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
29 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1991: Chicago Bulls beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
(Ken Levine, Getty Images)
30 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1990: Detroit Pistons (beat Portland Trail Blazers in five games)
(William Archie, Detroit Free Press)
31 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1989: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in four games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
32 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1988: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
33 / 33
NBA champions through the years
1987: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
(US PRESSWIRE)
USA TODAY Sports 2026-27 NBA record projections
Eastern Conference
A couple of things to note: Indiana’s success will depend entirely on how star point guard Tyrese Haliburton returns after missing all of last season with his ruptured Achilles tendon. But if he can return to previous form, the Pacers — a team that is being significantly overlooked — could be a real threat in the East. The Celtics are an intriguing team to watch, but they will need Derrick White to bounce back from a tough shooting year, and they’ll need Paul George to take on a massive role to replace Jaylen Brown. Either way, this puts a ton of pressure on Jayson Tatum to carry the squad.
Advertisement
The Bulls could be a sneaky team to make a jump, with the additions of Norman Powell and No. 4 overall rookie Caleb Wilson. And the Magic have a new coach in Sean Sweeney, but he’ll have to revamp an offense that struggled to find consistent shooting. Orlando may be a candidate to drop off.
Western Conference
It’s clear the Thunder and Spurs are the top two teams in the West, when healthy. Yet, the race for the guaranteed playoff spots in seed Nos. 3 through 6 should be tightly contested. As it stands now, the Timberwolves, Rockets, Nuggets and Lakers appear to be in that next tier, but health and the fit of new additions will be the determining factors. Minnesota is incorporating LaMelo Ball, the Rockets will be getting a boost at point guard with the return of Fred VanVleet (torn ACL) and the Lakers have a revamped roster with LeBron James gone and Walker Kessler in.
The Jazz, now that their tank is complete, are a team that could ascend with their mix of young players (rookie guard Darryn Peterson, last year’s No. 5 overall selection Ace Bailey and Keyonte George) and vets (Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr.).
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will rule the NBA this season? Record projections for every team
