NBA Summer Forecast 2026-27: Conference champions and Finals predictions - ESPN

The NBA has had eight different champions since 2019: the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks. Will the 2027 Finals follow the same script?

In the East, the reigning champion Knicks will face adversaries such as LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers as New York attempts to defend its title. Out West, the picture is equally competitive, with juggernauts such as the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and the 2024-25 champion Thunder vying to become the conference's representative.

As the calendar barrels toward opening night, which teams will rise above the rest come April, May and June 2027? After forecasting each team's record, our NBA insiders are projecting the teams most likely to reach their respective conference finals and which will win this season's title. Here's how the voting works: A first-place vote receives five points, a second-place vote receives three and a third-place vote receives one. (Note: Summer Forecast continues Wednesday with predictions for every major NBA award.)

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https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49650138/nba-predictions-2026-27expert-picks-predictions-western-eastern-conference-finals-champions
#east">Eastern Conference finals | https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49650138/nba-predictions-2026-27expert-picks-predictions-western-eastern-conference-finals-champions
#west">Western Conference finals
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49650138/nba-predictions-2026-27expert-picks-predictions-western-eastern-conference-finals-champions
#finals">NBA Finals

1. New York Knicks: 68 points
2. Philadelphia 76ers: 51 points
T-3. Boston Celtics: 17