The 2025-26 NBA campaign ended in dramatic fashion, with the New York Knicks defeating the number 2 ranked San Antonio Spurs in the NBA finals, 4-1 in the series. Can the Knicks continue to build their legacy?
Individually, Oklahoma City Thunder guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home the Most Valuable Player award, averaging 31.1 points (second in the league), and shooting an efficient 55.3% from the field. The Spurs’s center, Victor Webanyama, was awarded the Defensive Player of The Year, and Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg won the Rookie of The Year. So, will these same players continue their dominance in this campaign?
The 2026 NBA offseason featured some groundbreaking blockbuster trades and signings, greatly affecting some teams’ chances of continuing their dominance.
The most important among these trades include Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Miami Heat, and Jaylen Brown joining the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition, Kawhi Leonard was traded back to the Toronto Raptors, and Lamelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In terms of up-and-coming talent, the 2026 NBA Draft featured some serious skill. Going first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft was AJ Dybantsa, a Forward from the BYU Cougars who led the NCAA in scoring as a freshman, averaging 25.5 points per game. The Wizards now added a 6’11 skilled big man to their forceful lineup including Anthony David and DeAndre Ayton.
Going second overall in the draft was Darryn Peterson, a 6’6’ versatile guard from Kansas. Peterson is compared to the likes of Devin Booker, a 5-time NBA All-Star on the Phoenix Suns.
The third overall pick, chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies, was Cameron Boozer. Boozer is a 6’10’ forward, who averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds as a freshman from Duke last NCAA season. Boozer is the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.
Will new talent take over the league and help push teams to playoff runs, or will teams like the Knicks, Spurs, and Thunder dominate once again? With the New York Knicks returning their starting lineup, and re-signing key role players on their squad, they are looking to win the finals back-to-back.
In an ESPN survey previewing contenders from the NBA finals, those same names who dominated last year seem to be the favorite. The Oklahoma City Thunder was voted the favorite to win the NBA finals, the Spurs were ranked second, the Knicks third, and the 76ers and Pistons ranked fourth and fifth.
With the 76ers making some serious offseason moves, and attaining former Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown, their chances of making a run in the 2026-27 campaign have skyrocketed as the offseason has developed.
We asked Hingham High Students their opinions on this ESPN survey, and junior Will Cosman, a captain of the HHS varsity basketball team, responded with enthusiasm. Cosman stated, “I think the survey seems pretty accurate, but the Wizards are looking pretty solid with AJ, Bilal Coulibally, and AD (Anthony Davis).”
In addition, we asked his co-captain, Matthew Stratton to voice his opinions as well. Stratton, being a follower of the NBA said, “The rankings are definitely accurate, the Spurs, Knicks, and Thunder are nasty. But, I think the Celtics should be up there. Losing (Jaylen) Brown is huge, but I think we will come in playing unselfish and shock the NBA.”
Overall, it seems the favorites to win the finals are pretty consistent. But, the question remains: will some new talent and trades help teams who struggled last time make a run?
