Four months ago, the New York Knicks ended their 53-year championship drought and crowned themselves the kings of the NBA. Since then, much has happened across the NBA, including six All-Stars joining new teams and four different Finals MVP award recipients switching teams, the first time this has ever happened.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard are all on new teams in the Eastern Conference, which will create a lot of competition for the defending champions to try and do something that hasn't been done in each of the last eight seasons: win back-to-back titles.
Over in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs led by MVP-hopeful Victor Wembanyama and the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by two-time defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, remain the two obvious choices to run the NBA for many years to come. Even so, plenty of other young teams have an opportunity to make some noise and dethrone the Spurs and Thunder at the top of the league.
That is why almost all the NBA awards races as a whole are wide open.
Gilgeous-Alexander may have won the MVP award in back-to-back years, but if we know anything about voters in recent years, it's that they always gravitate to the “new, shiny name.” Could that be Wembanyama or Luka Doncic?
AJ Dybantsa was the clear choice to go No. 1 overall, but could Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, or Caleb Wilson end up winning Rookie of the Year? What about the races for Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Sixth Man of the Year?
Outside of all the 2026-27 NBA awards to be handed out six months from now, what about predictions for the Eastern and Western Conferences? And then, of course, what about the 2027 NBA Finals?
All of these questions, and more, were asked to 30 different NBA media members, some of whom are official voters, entering the new season for ClutchPoints' 2026-27 NBA preseason media poll. The percentages are reflective of the 30 votes cast in each category, starting with the league's MVP award.
Will Victor Wembanyama win first MVP award?
Full Voting Results:
1. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) – 46.67% [14 votes]
2. Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers) – 23.33% [7 votes]
3. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) – 10.0% [3 votes]
T4. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets) – 6.67% [2 votes]
T4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 6.67% [2 votes]
Others receiving one vote: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami Heat), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Only three players have won the league's MVP award since the start of the 2020-21 season. Nikola Jokic has won it three times in this span, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander twice, and Joel Embiid once.
As the two-time defending MVP, Gilgeous-Alexander isn't going anywhere soon, and he could join legends Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell as the only players in NBA history to win three straight MVPs if he's able to do so during the 2026-27 season. While SGA and the Thunder will undoubtedly be near the top of the league standings yet again, NBA media members believe this will be Wembanyama's year.
For the first time in his career last year, Wemby played in over 65 games, not just earning him All-NBA and All-Defensive honors, but also leading to the Spurs' star winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. He has solidified himself as one of the best all-around players in the league, and after taking his team to the NBA Finals and falling short against the Knicks, Wembanyama is already locked in for a huge season.
“I thought that's what it mean — DPOY means being the best defender on the planet. I got a lot of growth to do in that respect,” Wembanyma said after the team's recent 123-103 preseason win over the Phoenix Suns. “I'm saying this because I got coaches who hold me to a very high standard, and now the standard isn't just being the very best on the planet. It's being better than last year.”
Coming off his best season in the league and after taking the Spurs to the NBA Finals, media members believe the 2026-27 season will be the year Wembanyama finally breaks through to stake his claim as the best player in the league. He received 14 of the 30 votes for preseason MVP, followed by Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.
The Lakers have gone all-in on Doncic being the face of their team with LeBron James departing, and they have surrounded him with capable shooters and athletic wings. Doncic led the league in scoring last year at 33.5 points per game, and he has a chance to do so again with a dynamic roster in Los Angeles.
Anthony Edwards, Jokic, and Gilgeous-Alexander were the only other players to receive multiple votes in the preseason poll for MVP.
Although anything can happen in this race throughout the 2026-27 season, the one thing everyone knows is that all the attention is on the Spurs and Wembanyama this season, which is a common theme throughout this preseason media poll.
Cam Boozer overwhelming ROTY favorite
Full Voting Results:
1. Cameron Boozer (Memphis Grizzlies) – 50.0% [15 votes]
2. AJ Dybantsa (Washington Wizards) – 20.0% [6 votes]
3. Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls) – 13.33% [4 votes]
4. Darryn Peterson (Washington Wizards) – 10.0% [3 votes]
Others receiving one vote: Darius Acuff Jr. (Sacramento Kings), Kingston Flemings (Atlanta Hawks)
Where media members stand on the preseason Rookie of the Year award is always one of the more intriguing aspects of the media poll every year. Usually, the No. 1 pick tends to get a lot of love, and rightfully so. That was definitely the case with AJ Dybantsa, who received 20% of the vote and finished second.
However, many are looking at Cameron Boozer as the favorite for ROTY. Aside from the fact that he is a do-it-all talent at the power forward position, Boozer will have plenty of opportunities to be the best player in Memphis all season.
Unlike Dybantsa, who is playing next to two stars in Trae Young and Anthony Davis, Boozer will essentially be captaining a young team with no sense of direction right now. Not only will he have 14-plus shot attempts every game, but the Grizzlies' offense will flow through Boozer as the season progresses.
“There's just a smoothness to his game and a quiet confidence that makes those around him better,” one media voter said of why he chose Boozer. “If he stays healthy, his numbers will be at the top among all rookies.”
This year's Rookie of the Year race is truly one of the more fascinating in recent memory because of all the talent that exists. Outside of Boozer and Dybantsa, Caleb Wilson and Darryn Peterson can both make compelling cases for themselves entering the 2026-27 season.
Like Boozer, Wilson will have a clear path to cementing himself as the Chicago Bulls' best player, and Peterson has a chance to immediately make an impact on a team with playoff hopes in the Western Conference. Expect to see plenty of jockeying in this year's rookie rankings, as this race is wide open.
No clear frontrunner for Most Improved Player
Full Voting Results:
1. Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets) – 26.67% [8 votes]
T2. Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs) – 16.67% [5 votes]
T2. Walker Kessler (Los Angeles Lakers) – 16.67% [5 votes]
T3. Ty Jerome (Memphis Grizzlies) – 6.67% [2 votes]
T3. Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons) – 6.67% [2 votes]
T3. Kel'el Ware (Milwaukee Bucks) – 6.67% [2 votes]
Others receiving one vote: Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls), Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz), Aaron Wiggins (Atlanta Hawks), Jeremiah Fears (New Orleans Pelicans), Darius Garland (LA Clippers)
Every year, the one NBA awards race that is a complete toss-up is the Most Improved Player award. Last season, it was Nickeil Alexander-Walker taking home this award and honor following his breakout year with the Atlanta Hawks, the second straight year in which a Hawks player won the award.
Maybe Atlanta has someone who will look to make it three straight years the award stays with the organization, but right before the 2026-27 season, NBA media members believe Brandon Miller, Dylan Harper, and Walker Kessler stand out as the three names at the top of this watch list.
Starting with Miller, he is now the Charlotte Hornets' go-to guy after the team traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges in the summer. The former No. 2 pick has averaged 20-plus points in back-to-back seasons, and he is ready for an elevated role with more scoring opportunities on the wing.
It would not come as a shock whatsoever to see him take more than 20 shot attempts per game and make a push to be a first-time All-Star.
Nobody should be shocked to see Harper's name mentioned for the MIP award considering the run he went on in the playoffs with San Antonio last year. Honestly, Harper may have been the Spurs' second-best player in the postseason, and he was one of the team's top contributors in the NBA Finals next to Wembanyama.
Although he is expected to come off the bench again to begin the 2026-27 season, Harper has already shown clear improvements in just one year. If he does take that next step in his career during his “sophomore” year, Harper could very well earn himself All-Star status.
And then there is Kessler, who switched teams and went to the Lakers this summer. It never hurts to be on the receiving end of passes from Doncic and Austin Reaves, and there will be plenty of high-percentage scoring opportunities available for Kessler in the paint this upcoming year.
Many have forgotten just how skilled Kessler is on both ends of the court due to his injuries. Not to mention, he is going from playing in Utah to playing in Los Angeles. The spotlight will be on him every night, and as a result, he will attract a lot of attention from the media based on the Lakers' performances.
This is another award that is a complete toss-up right now entering the 2026-27 season, as 12 different players received at least one vote from the 30 NBA media members in ClutchPoints' preseason poll.
Spurs vs. Thunder for Sixth Man of the Year
Full Voting Results:
1. Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs) – 40.0% [12 votes]
2. Ajay Mitchell (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 30.0% [9 votes]
T3. DeMar DeRozan (Denver Nuggets) – 6.67% [2 votes]
T3. Ayo Dosunmu (Minnesota Timberwolves) – 6.67% [2 votes]
Others receiving one vote: Payton Pritchard (Boston Celtics), Tim Hardaway Jr. (Miami Heat), Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz), Jared McCain (Oklahoma City Thunder), Gui Santos (Golden State Warriors)
Remember how we mentioned the Spurs would come up a lot in this media poll? Not only is he on the watch list for the Most Improved Player award, but Harper coming off the bench again for the Spurs has many thinking he is the favorite for Sixth Man of the Year.
Last season, it was Keldon Johnson taking home this award for the Spurs due to his contributions off the bench in all 82 games. Johnson was effective as a shooter, and his energy helped the Spurs capture the second-best record in the NBA.
Now it's Harper's turn to cement himself as the Spurs' top bench option, and it's plausible to believe that he will see upwards of 25 minutes per game early in the season. It is hard to keep a player of his talents and pure instincts on offense off the court, and the Spurs learned this during their Finals run last year.
The only issue with Harper's Sixth Man of the Year case is the question of whether he will remain a bench player for the Spurs all season. That is why others, like Ajay Mitchell, also have a very strong case for this award in the preseason.
Mitchell came off the bench in 41 of his 57 appearances last season, averaging a career-high 13.6 points per game and shooting 48.5 percent from the floor. Behind SGA, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, it's not hard to fathom that Mitchell could rank fourth on the Thunder in scoring this upcoming year.
Should the Thunder once again finish with the best record in the league and Mitchell stays healthy, his contributions off the bench will be clear. This award could very well come down to Harper vs. Mitchell, a classic battle of the new Spurs vs. Thunder rivalry we will see in the Western Conference for many years to come.
DeMar DeRozan and Ayo Dosunmu were two other intriguing bench players in the Western Conference receiving the media's consideration. Keep a close eye on DeRozan as a dark horse for Sixth Man of the Year.
Coach of the Year up for grabs
Full Voting Results:
1. Rick Carlisle (Indiana Pacers) – 23.33% [7 votes]
T2. Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) – 16.67% [5 votes]
T2. Mitch Johnson (San Antonio Spurs) – 10.0% [5 votes]
3. Chris Finch (Minnesota Timberwolves) – 7.5% [4 votes]
T4. Darko Rajakovic (Toronto Raptors) – 5.0% [3 votes]
T4. Will Hardy (Utah Jazz) – 5.0% [3 votes]
Others receiving one vote: Quin Snyder (Atlanta Hawks), JB Bickerstaff (Detroit Pistons), Nick Nurse (Philadelphia 76ers)
When considering the Coach of the Year award in the preseason, the big question media members need to ask themselves revolves around figuring out who is primed to take a major step in either the Eastern or Western Conferences. Usually, the Coach of the Year award goes to the head coach of a team who outperformed expectations, which is why this question is relevant.
This year, several teams and coaches are on media members' minds in terms of surprising many and being title contenders.
Seeing Mitch Johnson and Chris Finch inside the top three shouldn't come as a complete shock since the Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are contending threats in the Western Conference, but the same cannot be said about Rick Carlisle and Erik Spoelstra with their respective teams.
Two years ago, the Indiana Pacers took the NBA world by storm when they made it to the NBA Finals and went to seven games against the Thunder. Unfortunately for Indiana, Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles, and several starters missed significant time last year due to injury.
Haliburton is now 100% ready for the 2026-27 season, and the Pacers added reinforcements in Ivica Zubac and Kelly Oubre Jr. next to the same core that got them to the 2025 NBA Finals. The Pacers are certainly one of those sleeper teams in the Eastern Conference that could make a lot of noise this season, which is why Carlisle received 7 out of 30 votes in this preseason poll, the most out of any coach.
Erik Spoelstra was tied with Johnson for second with five total votes. Whereas Carlisle and the Pacers enter the year as dark-horse title contenders, there is definitely more pressure facing the Miami Heat and Spoelstra this upcoming year.
After trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo and making major roster changes, the Heat are looking to regain relevance in a revamped and highly talented Eastern Conference. Many expect the Heat to be much better with Giannis leading the charge, and Spoelstra's Coach of the Year campaign will benefit from this team possibly finishing top four in the East.
It is very likely that a coach from the Eastern Conference will win this award during the 2026-27 season, unless someone other than the Thunder wins the West.
Will Wembanyama forever win DPOY?
Full Voting Results:
1. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) – 96.67% [29 votes]
2. Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons) – 3.33% [1 vote]
At this point, we might as well pencil in Victor Wembanyama for the Defensive Player of the Year award every season moving forward, assuming he crosses the 65-game minimum.
Wembanyama received 29 of the 30 votes in the preseason media poll for DPOY, and there's really not much to say about his defensive effort other than just watch this guy on the court. Aside from towering over everyone else as the league's best rim protector, Wemby doesn't get enough credit for what he does guarding on the perimeter.
There has never been a big guy like Wembanyama who can shuffle his feet and actually keep opponents in front of him in one-on-one situations. He is a complete mismatch for every team, and his presence alone alters every single possession his opponents have.
As long as he remains healthy, Wembanyama will be in the running for all the top awards like MVP and DPOY.
Best & Worst regular-season records
Outside of making their predictions for the awards during the 2026-27 NBA season, all 30 media members were asked questions about how they think the Eastern and Western Conferences will play out. More specifically, they were asked which teams would finish with the best and worst records in the league.
Here are the voting results for this category, starting with the team NBA media members believe will be the best team in the league entering the playoffs.
Full Voting Results (Best record):
1. San Antonio Spurs – 60.0% [18 votes]
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – 40.0% [12 votes]
While the 2026-27 NBA season seems like it could be the most wide-open season we've seen in quite some time, especially with all the talent spread across the league, media members still view two teams in a tier of their own. To nobody's surprise, that would be the Spurs and Thunder.
These were the two-best teams in the league during the 2025-26 season, and they met one another in a seven-game Western Conference Finals series, which we will likely be seeing for the next several years.
There is no denying that the Spurs and Thunder are the two championship contenders at the top of everyone's list, which is why they were the only two teams to receive consideration for the question of who would finish with the best record in the NBA during the 2026-27 season.
The Spurs are running things back with the same roster that got them to the 2026 NBA Finals, and they added a key veteran forward in Tobias Harris. Coming off a year in which he averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, the Spurs will lean on Harris to be a veteran leader for this team and provide secondary production.
He also shot nearly 37% from 3-point range last season in Detroit and will be a catch-and-shoot threat on the perimeter in San Antonio.
On the other side of things, the Thunder still have their young star-studded trio led by Gilgeous-Alexander, but this team made some significant changes. Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe are all gone, which means all eyes will be on Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell to step up for this team.
It will be very interesting to see which of these two teams finish at the top of the Western Conference during the 2026-27 season.
Now, time for everyone's favorite category: Who will finish the NBA season with the worst record?
Full Voting Results (Worst record):
1. Sacramento Kings – 36.67% [11 votes]
2. Brooklyn Nets – 33.33% [10 votes]
3. Milwaukee Bucks – 26.67% [8 votes]
4. Chicago Bulls – 3.33% [1 vote]
In years past, those who finished with the worst record in the NBA earned themselves a share of the best odds for the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. That is no longer the case with the league's new lottery reform rules, as the three worst teams in the league will be in the “relegation zone” and have a worse chance to receive the No. 1 pick in the lottery drawing than the remaining non-play-in teams.
That means teams will be fighting tooth and nail to try and avoid the bottom three spots in the standings, which could make for some intriguing games between those out of the playoffs late in the season.
This year, the media believe that the Sacramento Kings, Brooklyn Nets, and Milwaukee Bucks will be the three worst teams in the NBA, with the Kings receiving 36.67% of the vote to finish 30th in the standings.
Although rookie Darius Acuff Jr. provides a sense of hope in Sacramento, he joins a rebuilding franchise that could very well trade both Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis by February. Overall, this team lacks the scoring prowess to rise from the depth of the Western Conference.
The Nets moved Nic Claxton and added Julius Randle in the offseason, and they will be looking at their five first-round picks from 2025 to step up next to rookie Mikel Brown Jr. As for the Bucks, they enter the post-Giannis era, one that features Tyler Herro and a bunch of young players with no identity.
Pick one of these three teams and roll the dice to choose who will finish with the worst record in the NBA this upcoming year.
Eastern & Western Conference predictions
Who will win the Eastern Conference?
Article Continues Below1. New York Knicks – 30.0% [9 votes]
2. Philadelphia 76ers – 26.67% [8 votes]
3. Indiana Pacers – 20.0% [6 votes]
4. Miami Heat – 10.0% [3 votes]
5. Detroit Pistons – 6.67% [2 votes]
T6. Cleveland Cavaliers – 3.33% [1 vote]
T6. Boston Celtics – 3.33% [1 vote]
While the Knicks are the defending NBA champions and received the most votes in the preseason media poll to repeat as Eastern Conference champions, this is truly a wide-open race entering the 2026-27 season.
SEVEN different teams received votes to win the East from media members around the country, which goes to show how competitive everyone believes this conference will be.
The new-look Philadelphia 76ers with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown received a lot of attention, as did both the Pacers and Heat — two teams with high playoff aspirations. Whereas the Pacers have all their players, including Tyrese Haliburton, coming back from injury, the Heat added Giannis Antetokounmpo to their revamped roster.
Then there are the Detroit Pistons, who claimed the 1-seed in the East last season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and added Peyton Watson to their core group.
And we can't forget about the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum either. Joe Mazzulla is one of the best head coaches in the league, and he will have things figured out with his team, no matter who is doubting them.
This list doesn't even feature the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors, all of which are capable of making the playoffs and going on deep runs if they are healthy.
Maybe the Knicks and 76ers are favorites entering the new year, but the Eastern Conference is truly up for grabs. Buckle up and grab your popcorn because every game matters for these teams.
Who will win the Western Conference?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 50.0% [15 votes]
2. San Antonio Spurs – 40.0% [12 votes]
3. Minnesota Timberwolves – 10.0% [3 votes]
The Spurs and Thunder were the only two teams to receive votes in the category of finishing with the best record in the league during the 2026-27 season, so it's only fitting they were picked the most to win the Western Conference this upcoming year.
However, whereas the Spurs were the favorite to finish with the best record, media members think the Thunder will get the last laugh in the postseason and avenge their Game 7 loss in the 2026 Western Conference Finals by getting back to the NBA Finals.
The Thunder received half the votes to make it to the 2027 NBA Finals, beating out the Spurs, who received 40% of the vote.
Then there are the Timberwolves, who received three votes to win the West and are certainly dark-horse contenders behind the Spurs and Thunder. After adding LaMelo Ball to pair with Anthony Edwards, the Wolves believe they finally have the one-two punch needed to compete for a Western Conference title.
2027 NBA Finals predictions
Who will win the 2027 NBA Finals?
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 46.67% [14 votes]
2. San Antonio Spurs – 23.33% [7 votes]
3. New York Knicks – 10.0% [3 votes]
T4. Minnesota Timberwolves – 6.67% [2 votes]
T4. Philadelphia 76ers – 6.67% [2 votes]
T4. Indiana Pacers – 6.67% [2 votes]
Eight different teams have won the NBA Finals over the last eight years. There has not been a repeat champion in the NBA since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2017 and 2018.
Given the path that the Knicks will need to get through in a crowded Eastern Conference, many do not believe they will go back-to-back, which is reflected in them only receiving three votes to win the 2027 NBA Finals.
Once again, the Thunder and Spurs find themselves at the top of the contenders list, and it's Oklahoma City that received the most votes at 46.67% in the media poll to win the 2027 NBA Finals.
Two big things stuck out about the 30 votes for who will raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy eight months from now. The first is the fact that the 76ers, who received nearly 27% of the vote to win the East, only received two votes to win the NBA Finals, and the second is that 23 of the 30 votes went to Western Conference teams.
Entering the 2026-27 season, almost everyone believes that the Thunder and Spurs are the teams to beat.
Who is most likely to be a first-time All-Star?
Full Voting Results:
1. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) – 66.67% [20 votes]
T2. Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers) – 6.67% [2 votes]
T2. Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves) – 6.67% [2 votes]
T2. Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs) – 6.67% [2 votes]
Others receiving one vote: Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets), Trey Murphy III (New Orleans Pelicans), OG Anunoby (New York Knicks)
This is always a really fun category to talk about simply because it gives everyone a player to cheer and root for, regardless of whether they cover that team or not.
Six different players made their All-Star debuts last season, three from each conference. There will undoubtedly be first-time All-Stars again in February, and a lot of attention is on Cooper Flagg entering his second season.
Coming off his Rookie of the Year campaign, Flagg is the face of the Dallas Mavericks and is being hyped up to not just be an All-Star, but also a potential All-NBA and MVP candidate.
“I haven’t put a measuring tape next to him, so I can’t confirm or deny if he’s grown in height,” NBA trainer Matt MacKenzie said of Flagg. “All I can say is he’s had one hell of an offseason. And no matter if he’s 6-9, 6-10, or 6-11, he’s going to be a problem.”
The 19-year-old was a problem for teams last season, and he is prepared to take a massive step forward entering Year 2 in Dallas after averaging 21.0 points per game and shooting 46.8 percent from the floor.
Austin Reaves, Jaden McDaniels, and Stephon Castle all have a strong chance of earning their first All-Star status as well.
If he didn't get injured during the first half of the year last season, Reaves would've been an All-Star for the Lakers. As for McDaniels and Castle, they'll step up into elevated roles for their teams at the top of the West.
We have seen No. 2 options get All-Star nods before due to their contributions and their team's overall success, which is why McDaniels and Castle both have compelling cases.