The Denver Gazette’s predictions for the 2025-26 NBA season:
Paul Klee, sports editor
MVP: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Clutch Player of the Year: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Executive of the Year: Rafael Stone, Rockets
Coach of the Year: Jamahl Mosley, Magic
Defensive Player of the Year: Chet Holmgren, Thunder
Sixth Man of the Year: Josh Hart, Knicks
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Most Improved Player: Andrew Nembhard, Pacers
NBA Finals: Nuggets over Cavaliers in 7 games
The Nuggets will… win 53 games and earn the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, trailing Oklahoma City and Golden State. Key acquisitions Jonas Valanciunas and Cam Johnson flourish, particularly in the postseason, while Bruce Brown shows his peak years are long gone and Peyton Watson still struggles with the dribble-pass-shoot fundamentals. Nuggets fans notice, “Hey, that’s not the previous Rocky.” Turning 31 in February, Jokic remains the best player I’ve ever seen and carries the Nuggets to their second NBA title.
Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) poses for a photo during the NBA basketball team’s media day in Indianapolis, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Vinny Benedetto, Nuggets beat writer
MVP: Luka Doncic, Lakers
Executive of the Year: Ben Tenzer/Jon Wallace, Nuggets
Coach of the Year: Quin Snyder, Hawks
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Sixth Man of the Year: Anfernee Simons, Celtics
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Most Improved Player: Matas Buzelis, Bulls
NBA Finals: Nuggets over Knicks in six
The Nuggets will… finish second in the Western Conference with 54 wins in the regular season. From there, Denver gets past the No. 7-seeded Grizzlies in the first round and the No. 3-seeded Lakers in the second, setting up a postseason rematch with the Thunder. Just like last year, the series ends at the Paycom Center, but Denver flips the script to return to the Finals for the second time in four years. Mike Brown’s Knicks put up a solid fight, but Denver’s depth and versatility are the difference in a series that isn’t as close as the six games suggest.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during a preseason NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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Mark Kiszla, sports columnist
MVP: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Clutch Player of the Year: Luka Doncic, Lakers
Executive of the Year: Onsi Saleh, Hawks
Coach of the Year: Jamahl Mosley, Magic
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Sixth Man of the Year: Reed Sheppard, Rockets
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Most Improved Player: Andrew Nembhard, Pacers
NBA Finals: Magic over Thunder in 6
The Nuggets will … Warm the cockles of your heart before breaking it. Unlike the last two seasons, when Denver had absolutely no shot of winning the championship before playing even one game, Jokic finally has a supporting cast that makes another ring more than a dream. And I’m tempted to tell Denver peeps what they want to hear, but here’s my truth: Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and Cam Johnson seem too injury prone to be effective over the course of the 100-plus games required to get across the finish line of a championship run. OKC has all the makings of a dynasty, But I’m going to take a shot in the dark on Orlando to grab the ring, because I have a hopeless mancrush on the Magic’s starting five.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic warms up before a preseason NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor
MVP: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Executive of the Year: Onsi Saleh, Hawks
Coach of the Year: Jamahl Mosley, Magic
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid, Timberwolves
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Most Improved Player: Amen Thompson, Rockets
NBA Finals: Nuggets over Magic in six
The Nuggets will… see the benefit of a better bench as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are a bit more rested for the playoffs. With a deeper rotation, the Nuggets secure the No. 2 seed behind the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The two teams meet in the Western Conference finals, where, this time, Denver holds on to its leads and closes out the Thunder in six games. The NBA Finals is the matchup all Denver fans wanted in 2009-10 when the Nuggets face off with the Magic. Denver wins its second title in four years. Also, the Nuggets have a second All-Star this season and it’s Gordon.
Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (17) controls the ball against Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball preseason game in Houston, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Tyler King, colleges reporter
MVP: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Executive of the Year: Ben Tenzer/Jon Wallace, Nuggets
Coach of the Year: Mike Brown, Knicks
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Sixth Man of the Year: Josh Hart, Knicks
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Most Improved Player: Ausar Thompson, Pistons
NBA Finals: Nuggets over Knicks in five
The Nuggets will… match the best record in franchise history at 57-25, but it will still be 10 games behind the Thunder for the top seed. After an upset over the Lakers in the play-in, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs meet the No. 2-seed Nuggets. Now four-time MVP Nikola Jokic shows he’s still the top dog. After getting revenge on the Timberwolves in six games, juggernauts Denver and Oklahoma City are tied 2-2 heading back to OKC for Game 5, where the Nuggets win on a Cam Johnson game-winning 3-pointer before taking the series at home in Game 6. Against a Knicks team that’s back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 26 years, Denver gets it second title of the Jokic era and proves the real title decider was the Western Conference finals.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) reacts to a play against the Utah Jazz during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)