We’re in the dreamy part of the summer when we can start drawing our NBA Championship predictions. Eight different teams have won the last eight NBA championships, and there is every reason to believe the league could produce another wide-open title race in 2026-27.
The New York Knicks will expect to challenge again. San Antonio have Victor Wembanyama and one of the most exciting young teams in basketball. Denver still have Nikola Jokic, while several other contenders will believe they are one big playoff run away from the Finals.
Despite this, one team stands above the rest for me.
They have arguably the best player in the league, massive squad depth, a young core that should still be improving and recent experience of exactly what it takes to win four playoff series.
My pick to win the 2027 NBA championship is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Why OKC?
Oklahoma City finished last season with an NBA-best 64-18 record, before their title defence ended in a seven-game Western Conference Finals defeat to San Antonio.
That loss should not disguise how strong this team remains.
At the centre of it is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now won consecutive MVP awards after averaging 31.1 points per game last season.
But the reason I am picking the Thunder goes beyond SGA.
Chet Holmgren averaged 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season and continues to develop into one of the NBA's most important two-way big men. Jalen Williams gives OKC another high-level scoring option and, crucially, both are still entering what should be the best years of their careers.
Oklahoma City also have considerable depth around them, with Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell and Isaiah Hartenstein giving Mark Daigneault plenty of options.
There has been some turnover, with Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins departing, so this is not simply a case of running back the same roster.
Who can stop them?
San Antonio are the team that worries me most.
The Spurs beat Oklahoma City in Game 7 of last season's Western Conference Finals and their core of Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper could be even better this year.
Denver can never be dismissed with Jokic, while the Knicks should again be a major threat from the East.
But if I have to pick one team before the season begins, I'm backing the Thunder's combination of star power, depth, defence and playoff experience.
Early Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the New York Knicks in the 2027 NBA Finals.
