After the Knicks ended their long championship drought, the next NBA title could go to another emerging contender. The article highlights the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs as strong candidates because of their elite young stars, recent playoff success, and long-term upside.
The New York Knicks have made history, as they won a championship for the first time since 1973. Jalen Brunson led his team to victory, and after some performances, the guard won Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
New York had an impressive playoff run, and now, players get a chance to rest before trying for another championship. However, opponents will stand in the way. The NBA is gearing up for a busy offseason, and teams will do their part to ensure they are contenders. For example, a conference rival of the Knicks could acquire a superstar in a trade. Or, some notable free agents could seek a new home during that period. Anything can happen, and it will set the scene for the 2026-27 season.
All eyes will be on the Knicks that year, and while there is a chance they repeat, there has been a new champion every year since 2019. So, another team could add its name to league history. With that said, here are three contending teams that could win next season.
1.) Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder won a championship in 2025, and this year, they nearly reached the Finals. However, the San Antonio Spurs beat them in the Western Conference finals, and Victor Wembanyama and his teammates took on the Knicks.
Oklahoma City had another strong season, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his second MVP. The Thunder had the best record in the league this year, and they proved that they will be a force for years to come. Their playoff run did not go as planned, but they remain one of the league’s top contenders. If the Thunder stand pat and have another strong season, they can add another title to their legacy. Either way, they are a team to watch out for.
2.) Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons put the league on notice this year, as they finished the season with a record of 60-22. They were the top team in the Eastern Conference, and Cade Cunningham helped them get to that point. Cunningham had an MVP-caliber season, and that carried over into the playoffs. He helped the team overcome a deficit in the series against the Orlando Magic, and he had some solid games against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cunningham and the Pistons proved themselves, and some would say inexperience got in the way of a deep playoff run. However, this team will continue to improve, and down the line, they may win it all.
3.) San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs may have lost the Finals, but the future looks bright for this young team. Wembanyama is an incredible talent, and he helped the Spurs shine during the regular season and postseason. Then, San Antonio has players like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper as well. This franchise has acquired some great, young talent over the past few years, and they will only get better. This year’s playoff run was a learning experience, and chances are, this is not the last time they reach the Finals.
San Antonio is a threat, and it will be interesting to see how the team performs next season.
There are some talented teams out there, and the trophy is up for grabs. These teams can win it all, but there are also teams like the Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics and others who can win. So, next season will be exciting, and when it is all said and done, another champion will be crowned.
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