Here is the top-10 ranking of favorites for the NBA 2026 championship

We are getting closer to the start of a new season, and most squads are perfectly shaped. It's time to envision likely competitive scenarios, with ESPN experts creating a ranking of title favorites by ordering all 30 teams in the league.

The most striking aspect of the list is that in the top 10 of favorites, there are only 3 teams from the Eastern Conference, which makes sense given all that has happened with the Celtics and Pacers. This sets up a landscape full of opportunities for other teams. The top three contenders are from the Western Conference, with Oklahoma City Thunder taking the top spot as they aim to achieve the feat of defending their title, something that hasn't happened in many years. The improvement of Houston Rockets is evident, as well as the confidence placed in Denver Nuggets under Jokic's leadership.

Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks round out the top 5, with Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers just missing out. These teams are full of talent but also raise doubts in terms of defense, tactics, and bench depth. It's surprising to see Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers closing the top 10 and trailing behind a franchise lacking experience in big games, like the Orlando Magic. Even Doncic's physical improvement hasn't convinced the experts much.

ESPN’s initial NBA power rankings for the 2025-26 season (https://t.co/SJYnWeoPry):

1. Thunder
2. Rockets
3. Nuggets
4. Cavaliers
5. Knicks
6. Timberwolves
7. Clippers
8. Magic
9. Warriors
10. Lakers
11. Pistons
12. Hawks
13. Mavericks
14. Bucks
15. Grizzlies
16. Spurs
17.… pic.twitter.com/gBD7dHIXSr

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 30, 2025

Promising franchises like Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are outside the top 10, while one of the most surprising aspects is that Dallas Mavericks receive no confidence in their project, being placed in the thirteenth position. Milwaukee Bucks, depending on what happens with Antetokounmpo, San Antonio Spurs, with Wembanyama not yet seen as a potential group competitor, and Memphis Grizzlies, might also fall far below expectations.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Este es el top-10 en el ranking de favoritos al anillo en la NBA 2026