As the 2022-2023 NBA season is rapidly approaching, it is time to talk about way-too-early Finals winners predictions. The offseason has made some teams look very interesting to look out for during the season, while it has also made other teams look like it is time to tank. There has also been a lot of drama in the offseason such as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, the Donovan Mitchell trade rumors mania, Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero beefing, along with much more. The league changed a lot during the offseason making many teams look impressive, but who are the real contenders to win the 2022-2023 NBA Finals? My top three predictions are the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets.

Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden’s contract cut was a key role for the 76ers this offseason. Harden took a paycut, and signed a two-year $68.6 million deal, along with a player option for the 2023-2024 season. This paycut gave the Sixers much more leeway in the offseason to sign role players to play around Harden and Joel Embiid. In a trade, the 76ers acquired De’Anthony Melton. P.J. Tucker, Danuel House Jr., and Montrezl Harrell, signed with Philadelphia during the offseason. All four of these players have played with James Harden on the Houston Rockets, and were recruited to the team by him. The 76ers are a strong contender to win the 2022-2023 NBA Finals due to the experience that the team has between many players, and the amount of role players that can get the job done and go beyond their expectations.

Golden State Warriors: This upcoming season, the Golden State Warriors are going to start healthy. Last season, the Warriors did not have James Wiseman all season long. Klay Thompson also only came back on January 9, 2022. In the 2022-2023 NBA season, Klay Thompson and James Wiseman will both be healthy. Although they lost Gary Payton II to the Portland Trail Blazers, they signed Donte Divencenzo and JaMychal Green in the offseason. With Jordan Poole coming off the bench at sixth man this year, Klay Thompson and James Wiseman both being healthy, and Andrew Wiggins performing just like he did last year, the Warriors can be contenders. Golden State will also go into the season with a “Let’s go back to back” mentality, after being told by several NBA “experts” that they will never win a championship with Stephen Curry again.

Denver Nuggets: The Denver Nuggets are in the same situation as the Warriors. Last season, the Nuggets did not have Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. due to injury. Murray is a huge offensive threat for Denver, and Michael Porter Jr. has shown major potential when he is healthy. Alongside Murray and Porter Jr., the Nuggets also have reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. On the bench, the Nuggets have key role players DeAndre Jordan, Bones Hyland, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets have a great mix of veteran role players, young talent, and stars. This team, given that they perform to their very best without getting injured, can definitely be contenders to win the 2022-2023 NBA Finals.