The 2025 NBA Draft has wrapped up, and all 30 teams have officially added their rookies, setting the stage for the upcoming season. Major trades and signings have already grabbed attention, including Kevin Durant joining the Houston Rockets, DeAndre Ayton moving to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Milwaukee Bucks signing Myles Turner while parting ways with Damian Lillard.
Looking ahead, who are the favorites to rack up the most wins this season, and which teams might fall short of their expected win totals? As of July 7th, DraftKings Sportsbook offers early predictions.
The 2025-26 NBA regular season win projections include the Oklahoma City Thunder at a strong 62.5 wins, the Cleveland Cavaliers with 55.5, and the Houston Rockets expected around 54.5 wins. Other teams like the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic have forecasts ranging from 51.5 to 53.5 wins.
The Lakers and Warriors are projected to win approximately 47.5 games each, while teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons hover near the mid-40s in win totals. The Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Memphis Grizzlies fall in the low 40s or high 30s, with teams toward the bottom like the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Utah Jazz projected with fewer wins.
The Thunder dominated the 2024-25 season, leading the league with 68 wins and capturing their first NBA championship. They locked in MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with a historic $285 million Supermax extension, the largest annual salary deal in NBA history. Rookies Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are also expected to get contract extensions this offseason.
OKC is favored to lead in wins next season, with the Cavaliers following behind. The Rockets, Nuggets, Knicks, Timberwolves, and Magic are expected to closely compete within the 51.5 to 54.5 win range. Meanwhile, the Warriors still hold the record for the most wins in a regular season with 73 victories from the 2015-16 season.
Fan Take: This preview highlights the shifting power dynamics within the NBA, especially with the Thunder’s rise and the impactful moves by top stars like Durant. For basketball fans, these developments promise an exciting season of intense competition and emerging rivalries, potentially shaping the future of the league.
