25 Sports Predictions for 2025

As we prepare for a new year, one thing I love to do is try to forecast what could take place in the world of sports. Whether it’s predicting championship winners, player moves, or shifts in league dynamics, it’s always fun for me to guess what will happen throughout the calendar year. While some predictions might be a bit more outlandish than others, here are 25 sports predictions that I think will happen in 2025.

NBA Predictions:

1. LeBron James Announces That The 2025-26 Season Will Be His Last

2. Nikola Jokic Wins NBA MVP

3. The Boston Celtics Go Back-To-Back, Win the NBA Title

4. The Memphis Grizzlies Make the Western Conference Finals

5. Jimmy Butler Gets Dealt to the Houston Rockets

6. NBA Expansion Teams in Seattle & Las Vegas Get Announced; Scheduled to Begin Play in the 2026-27 Season

2025 will likely be a year of major change for the NBA. I expect LeBron James to announce that the 2025-26 season will be his final one, marking the end of an era. Nikola Jokic will win his fourth MVP award. The Boston Celtics will go back-to-back, winning another NBA title, while the Memphis Grizzlies will make a deep run to the Western Conference Finals. Jimmy Butler will be traded to the Houston Rockets, and the NBA will announce expansion teams in Seattle and Las Vegas, set to begin play in 2026.

NHL Predictions:

7. The Edmonton Oilers Win the Stanley Cup

8. The Florida Panthers Get Back to the Stanley Cup Final

9. The Ottawa Senators or Calgary Flames Make the Playoffs

10. The Buffalo Sabres Fire GM Kevyn Adams

11. The Utah Hockey Club Becomes the Utah Yeti's

12. One of J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, or Brock Boeser Will No Longer be a Vancouver Canuck

13. Mitch Marner Re-Signs with the Toronto Maple Leafs

14. Mikko Rantanen Signs with the Washington Capitals

15. Team USA Wins the Four Nations Faceoff

The Edmonton Oilers will win the Stanley Cup over the Florida Panthers in a Stanley Cup Final rematch. The Ottawa Senators or Calgary Flames will make the playoffs, while the Buffalo Sabres fire GM Kevyn Adams after another disappointing season. The Utah Hockey Club will confirm our suspicions and officially become the Utah Yeti. Mitch Marner re-ups with the Maple Leafs, while the Washington Capitals land the big fish of the summer in Mikko Rantanen. Vancouver will be forced to move on from one of J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, or Brock Boeser, and Team USA will win the Four Nations Faceoff.

NFL Predictions:

16. The Kansas City Chiefs Complete The Threepeat

17. The 49ers Trade Deebo Samuel

18. Shedeur Sanders Goes First Overall in the NFL Draft

19. The NFL Announces That Beginning in 2026, an 18th Regular Season Game Will Be Added

20. Aaron Rodgers Returns to the Jets for the 2025 NFL Season

21. Tyler Lockett's Time in Seattle Comes to an End

22. One of Garrett Wilson or D.J. Moore Gets Traded

For the first time in NFL history, a team will win three straight championships as the Chiefs win the Super Bowl yet again. In April, Shedeur Sanders will be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. The 49ers will turn a page and trade Deebo Samuel, while Aaron Rodgers will return to the Jets for another season. The NFL will also announce the addition of an 18th regular-season game starting in 2026. Tyler Lockett’s time in Seattle will come to an end, and D.J. Moore or Garrett Wilson will be traded to a new team.

MLB Predictions:

23. One of The Yankees or Mets Miss The Postseason

24. The Seattle Mariners Make The Postseason

25. The San Diego Padres Win the World Series

New York has become the center of the baseball world following the events of the last few months. However, despite the Mets and Yankees being among the World Series favorites, I predict that one of them will miss the postseason entirely. The Seattle Mariners will return to the postseason for only the second time since 2001. Ultimately, the San Diego Padres will win the World Series.