ESPN أصدر توقعاته السنوية الصيفية للموسم 2026-2027، مما أثار ردود فعل من خبراء الدوري. شمل التوقعات مرشحي rookie of the year، توقعات انتصارات الفرق، والمفاجآت المحتملة. بخصوص rookie of the year، قام المسوحون والمدراء التنفيذيون بال debat حول اختيارات الدraft الأولى، حيث فضل الكثيرون Boozer من Memphis بسبب سجله الفوز رغم موسم صعب projected للجرיזليز. other highlighted Darryn Peterson من Jazz، مواهبهم لكنهم questioned فرصتهم في roster مزدحم. Received Bulls' Caleb Wilson strong support for his tools and fit under coach Tiago Splitter, although some noted competition from Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. AJ Dybantsa, picked third in ESPN's poll, attracted the belief of insiders that he was undervalued, with one scout saying, 'You're overthinking it if you don't pick A.

J.', citing his size and scoring ability. On the Wizards, ESPN projected a 31-51 record and 12th-place finish in the East, but insiders argued the forecast was too low, pointing to the team's tanking success, the addition of Trae Young and Dybantsa, and the belief that their 17-65 record from the prior season was artificially deflated.