Yes, we are roughly 10 months away from the NBA Finals. The regular season hasn’t even started yet, so naturally this is the perfect time to make our NBA Finals prediction. There are plenty of legitimate contenders heading into the 2026–27 season, but I’m planting my flag early. When June arrives, I believe we’ll be watching the Philadelphia 76ers represent the Eastern Conference and the San Antonio Spurs return from the Western Conference.
Western Conference: San Antonio Spurs
I’m going right back to San Antonio. The Spurs reached the NBA Finals last season before getting demolished by the New York Knicks in a gentleman’s sweep, losing the series 4–1. It obviously wasn’t the ending San Antonio wanted, but sometimes a young team needs to experience that kind of defeat before it learns how to win.
Another year of experience should do wonders for this young core, and at the center of everything is Victor Wembanyama. At 7’4″, Wemby is already one of the biggest matchup nightmares in basketball, and the scary part is that he’s still developing. San Antonio now knows what a deep playoff run requires. They’ve experienced the pressure of the NBA Finals, they’ve experienced losing on that stage, and they’ve had an entire offseason to think about watching another team celebrate a championship at their expense.
The Western Conference certainly won’t be easy. Oklahoma City remains dangerous, and there are plenty of other teams capable of making a run, but I believe San Antonio will be even better this season. I’m betting on another year of development, another year of chemistry and a motivated Wembanyama leading the Spurs straight back to the Finals.
Eastern Conference: Philadelphia 76ers
In the East, I’m going with the completely revamped Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia entered the offseason with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid and then added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, immediately turning the Sixers into one of the most fascinating teams in basketball.
There are legitimate questions here, especially surrounding health. Embiid has struggled to stay healthy, and LeBron will turn 42 during the season. But even if Embiid continues to miss games, I believe a core of LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey has enough talent, scoring, playmaking and playoff experience to get through the Eastern Conference.
Maxey shouldn’t become an afterthought simply because Philadelphia added two enormous names. He’s already established himself as an elite guard, and now defenses have even more problems to worry about around him. Brown brings championship experience and has already proven he can perform on the biggest stage, while LeBron brings a level of postseason experience that nobody else in the league can match. Philadelphia will have to figure out how all these pieces fit together, but if they do, the ceiling is obvious.
Why Philadelphia Will Need Embiid in the Finals
I believe Philadelphia can survive portions of the Eastern Conference playoffs without a completely healthy Embiid. Against San Antonio, however, that’s a different story.
Somebody has to guard that 7’4″ monster named Victor Wembanyama.
That’s where Embiid becomes essential. Philadelphia needs his size, strength and defensive presence to make Wemby work. You’re never going to completely stop a player like Wembanyama, but having a former MVP caliber center who can physically challenge him gives Philadelphia something very few teams can offer.
Embiid also forces Wemby to work defensively. Instead of allowing him to roam around the paint and destroy everything that comes near the rim, Philadelphia can make him deal with Embiid’s size and scoring on the other end. That matchup could ultimately decide the series.
My Prediction: Sixers in 6
So there it is. Before we’ve even played a single regular season game, I’m putting the receipt out there.
Eastern Conference Champions: Philadelphia 76ers
Western Conference Champions: San Antonio Spurs
2027 NBA Champions: Philadelphia 76ers in six games.
I think San Antonio returns stronger after the pain of last year’s Finals loss, but Philadelphia simply has too much if everyone is available when June arrives. Maxey provides the speed and scoring, Brown gives them another proven two way star, Embiid gives them the size necessary to battle Wembanyama, and then there’s LeBron James.
And yes, I’m predicting championship number five for LeBron.
Ten months from now, I may look like a genius for writing this before the season even started. I may come back to this article wondering what on earth I was thinking.
That’s exactly why we’re making the prediction now.
Philadelphia 76ers defeat the San Antonio Spurs in six games to win the 2027 NBA championship.
The receipt has officially been printed.
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