Bold NBA Predictions After the 2026 Trade Deadline

The 2026 NBA trade deadline concluded with a record 28 deals involving 73 players, demonstrating significant player movement despite new financial rules. The focus now shifts to the playoff race, raising questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Oklahoma City Thunder's hold on the top Western Conference seed, and potential late-season MVP candidates in the East.

A bold prediction is made that the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, will overtake the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs, currently 3.5 games back, kept their core intact at the deadline and boast strong lineup chemistry and net ratings. This surge is expected to coincide with injury issues for the Thunder, including reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other key players, potentially leading to a more cautious approach from the defending champions during the regular season.

Another prediction states that LeBron James will leave the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency after eight seasons. His retention past the trade deadline is attributed more to the difficulty of facilitating a move he would approve rather than a mutual desire to continue. While not expected to be a major spectacle, his next destination will generate significant interest.

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