Filip Tomic
For the 7th consecutive season, we had a different NBA champion crowned as the Oklahoma City Thunder knocked off the Indiana Pacers in what was a thrilling 7-game series. Now it’s time to re-shuffle the cards as we approach the 2025-26 NBA season, with less than a week remaining until tip-off. Last year, we successfully predicted the Thunder to go all the way at +1000 odds, but who will come out on top this year? Let’s have a look at the latest NBA odds for the major futures markets for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Make sure you also keep an eye out for our expert NBA picks for EVERY GAME this season.
2025-26 NBA championship winner odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook and available at time of publishing.
- Oklahoma City Thunder +210
- Cleveland Cavaliers +650
- Denver Nuggets +750
- New York Knicks +1100
- Los Angeles Clippers +1600
- Los Angeles Lakers +1600
- Minnesota Timberwolves +1700
- Houston Rockets +1700
- Orlando Magic +1900
- Atlanta Hawks +2700
- Golden State Warriors +2700
- Boston Celtics +3300
- Dallas Mavericks +3500
- Detroit Pistons +3500
- Philadelphia 76ers +3500
- San Antonio Spurs +6500
- Milwaukee Bucks +7000
- Indiana Pacers +10000
- Memphis Grizzlies +12500
- Miami Heat +17500
- Toronto Raptors +20000
- New Orleans Pelicans +30000
- Sacramento Kings +50000
- Portland Trail Blazers +75000
- Chicago Bulls +75000
- Phoenix Suns +75000
- Brooklyn Nets +100000
- Charlotte Hornets +100000
- Utah Jazz +100000
- Washington Wizards +100000
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2025-26 NBA championship contenders
Oklahoma City Thunder (+210)
The Thunder begin their title defense quest as basically the same team that won the championship last year. Their hopes of becoming the first team this decade to win back-to-back titles will hang on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and whether or not his teammates can step up when he doesn’t have it going. One of those teammates is Jalen Williams who had surgery to repair a torn wrist ligament that bothered him throughout last year’s postseason run. Starting off the season with their 2nd best player not being at 100% will almost certainly result in a regression compared to last year, but the Thunder will be a factor in May and June.
New York Knicks (+1100)
A new head coach and a couple of really solid offseason additions make the New York Knicks one of the biggest favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference this season. Well, that and injuries to Cleveland’s, Boston’s and Indiana’s key players. The Knicks have made huge strides in the past two season, they were just one win away from a NBA Finals berth last year. With Mike Brown now in charge, plus Malcolm Brogdon and Jordan Clarkson added for depth purposes, you’ll be hard pressed to find a flaw that this roster has. We could be witnessing the best Knicks season in 25 years.
Los Angeles Clippers (+1600)
The Clippers found themselves in the news quite a lot this offseason, but for all the wrong reasons. However, if we talk strictly basketball, they could very well be the dark horse in his year’s NBA season. People forget they surged into the postseason by winning 18 of their last 21 games. Coming into the new year with a full training camp and a healthy Kawhi Leonard there are plenty of reasons for optimism if you’re a Clippers supporter.
Veteran point guard Chris Paul was signed as a backup for James Harden, as he attempts one last time to win a ring before he hangs them up. Bradley Beal replaces the scoring of Norman Powell who left for Miami, while Brook Lopez comes in to provide added depth and shooting to the center position. Ivica Zubac looked great in pre-season; he could also be headed towards an all-NBA season. The question is though, are the Clippers going to Clip?
Minnesota Timberwolves (+1700)
Is it time for Anthony Edwards to finally leave his mark on the NBA? Minnesota Timberwolves fans certainly hope so. Making it to the West Finals was a solid accomplishment, but the 24-year old entering his 6th NBA season is ready for the next step in his development. Joe Ingles, Julius Randle and Naz Reid were all extended in the offseason, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the only notable departure. Whenever a team ranks in the top 10 both offensively and defensively, they have a chance of competing for the title. Last season the T’Wolves ranked 8th and 6th on both ends respectively, if that remains the case in 2025-26 we can expect them to be a factor in the West.
2025-26 NBA championship best bet: Denver Nuggets (+750)
You won’t find many teams that are in win-now mode in the NBA these days, but the Denver Nuggets have been that team for a few years now. Nikola Jokic hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, entering his 11th season as an NBA player he still consistently posts near-triple-double numbers, often leading all the major statistical categories. It goes without saying that everything starts and ends with the 3-time MVP for the Nuggets, however with the offseason moves his team made, you have to consider Denver as one of the frontrunners to win it all.
Bringing back Bruce Brown, the fan favorite from the 2023 championship team, adds to their depth, while Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cam Johnson will help on the offensive end, something the Nuggets lacked against OKC in the playoffs. The signing of Jonas Valanciunas allows Joker to play fewer minutes during the regular season, which could be crucial come postseason time.
Michael Porter Jr. is no longer there, he was seen by many as the weak link on offense last season. Aaron Gordon is a proven scorer and defender, coming up in the clutch on multiple occasions last year. Christian Braun has elevated his game to a whole new level last year, with a fresh perspective in their mind and only one true worry in the Western Conference, I feel like the Nuggets are a very solid bet at +750 to go all the way this year.
2025-26 NBA championship dark horse bet: Golden State Warriors (+2750)
Being old in a young man’s sport is never a good thing, unless you are the Golden State Warriors. By average age, Stephen Curry and company have by far the most experience on their roster, but make no mistake about it, this team is still hungry for one last run. The addition of Jimmy Butler turned the Warriors’ season around last year, but an unfortunate injury to their leader Curry prevented them from a deep postseason run.
With a fresh start this season, Golden State has the potential to be a threat in the loaded Western Conference. Extending Jonathan Kuminga to a 2-year deal is massive for the team, he will have an increased role during the regular season to ease the load off some of the veterans on the team.
De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II were also extended, while Seth Curry and Al Horford come in to add depth. In last year’s regular season the Warriors had a record of 22-5 SU in 27 games played with both Steph and Butler on the court. Those two compliment each other so well on the court, if the Warriors are able to stay healthy come postseason time, they could definitely make some noise in the postseason. This might be the last dance for head coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the championship winning core, so why not put a small wager on the Warriors at +2750 odds?
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