“Ba-ba-ba-ba-basketball” will return Tuesday night to a familiar national broadcast channel and nostalgic sound to tip off the 2025-26 NBA season.
But the product on the court looks increasingly different, and last season’s NBA Finals battle between two small-market teams built to survive with financial discretion and deep rosters represents as much.
In Phoenix and nationally, Kevin Durant’s move from the Suns to the Rockets marked the biggest offseason personnel change after a regular season saw a historic trade of Luka Doncic. The Mavericks were rewarded for that decision by picking Cooper Flagg first in the draft despite entering the lottery with ever-so-slim odds.
Coaching changes to two title contenders might alter their trajectory as they added depth to the rosters for Mike Brown’s Knicks and David Adelman’s Nuggets.
For all the change, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder enter 2025-26 again as favorites, with only roster upgrades and experience buoying their case to repeat this year.
As we do as co-hosts on the Empire of the Suns podcast, Kellan Olson and I are previewing the season by making picks for the annual awards and final playoff battles.
For accountability’s sake, here are last year’s preseasonpicks that we either nailed or whiffed on miserably.
Kellan Olson’s 2025-26 NBA season predictions
Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Sixth Man of the Year: De’Andre Hunter, Cavaliers
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Most Improved Player: Shaedon Sharpe, Blazers
Coach of the Year: Quin Snyder, Hawks
Western Conference Finals: Nuggets over Thunder
Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks over Magic
Finals: Nuggets over Knicks
Kevin Zimmerman’s 2025-26 NBA season predictions
Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid, Timberwolves
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Most Improved Player: Deni Avdija, Blazers
Coach of the Year: David Adelman, Nuggets
Western Conference Finals: Thunder over Nuggets
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavaliers over Knicks
Finals: Thunder over Cavaliers