At the onset of NBA futures odds action, gamblers see the Oklahoma City Thunder as the favorite to repeat as 2025-26 NBA champions. In fact, many fans, gamblers, and observers see the Thunder as a potential dynasty. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a superstar, lends credibility to this vision, yet its practicality remains uncertain. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets are the next teams to be considered after the Thunder. Cleveland’s strong regular seasons, followed by playoff flops, have frustrated fans and gamblers. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have failed to reach the heights of their 2023 NBA championship.
2025-26 NBA Championship Future Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +205 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +650 |
| Denver Nuggets | +750 |
| New York Knicks | +1000 |
| Houston Rockets | +1200 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1300 |
| Orlando Magic | +1500 |
| LA Clippers | +2800 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +1800 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +2800 |
| Golden State Warriors | +2800 |
| Boston Celtics | +3300 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +3300 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +3300 |
| Detroit Pistons | +4000 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +6000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +6000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +8000 |
| All Other Teams | +10000 or Higher |
Oklahoma City Thunder
Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder went 83-21 straight up and 65-35-4 against the spread. During the previous offshore betting season, the Thunder went 52-39-1 against the spread and 63-29 straight up. Hence, few teams have brought more value to the board than the Thunder. The question is whether Oklahoma City can maintain that value for a third consecutive season. Of significant concern is that the Thunder has the full attention of opponents and gamblers. It will be difficult for the Thunder to get its value pricing for the past two seasons.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Speaking of value, the Cleveland Cavaliers have shown it as well. Last year, the Cavaliers were 69-22 straight up and 52-38-1 against the spread. Despite three consecutive playoff appearances and a .780 win percentage last year, the Cavaliers have not advanced past the Eastern Conference semifinals. With Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland has the core for a potentially big NBA betting odds season.
Denver Nuggets
When the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA championship, there was talk of a dynasty, just as there is now with the Oklahoma City Thunder. But the Nuggets never fully regained their focus. Despite having the marquee man that many consider the best player in basketball, Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have not been a reliable betting value.
Following their championship, Denver went 54-30 straight up and 43-49-2 against the spread. Last year, Denver went 57-39 straight up and 46-48-2 against the spread. After stumbling to a 47-32 record, head coach Mark Malone was fired and replaced by assistant David Adelman. The Nuggets showed marginal improvement after Adelman took over. Hence, the interim tag was removed.
Despite two years of uncertainty, Denver still has a lot to prove to gamblers.
New York Knicks
The misery, heartbreak, and bizarre world of the New York Knicks continues. Last year, the Knicks made the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years under head coach Tom Thibodeau. As a result of this landmark accomplishment, Thibodeau was fired after the playoff run. It’s the perfect example of why the Knicks haven’t taken home an NBA title since 1973.
Mike Brown replaces the demanding and defense-oriented Thibodeau more gently. To his credit, Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year. Later on, he won the COY award in 2023 with the Sacramento Kings, but could not sustain success there. Brown coached LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on two occasions but was fired both times. He was not on the bench when Cleveland won the 2016 NBA title.
While New York is getting plenty of future market love, the fact remains that they may suffer a serious regression this season.
Houston Rockets
An emerging power for gamblers to watch is the Houston Rockets. Last year, the Rockets went 55-34 straight up and 46-41-2 against the spread. It was a breakout season for head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets, who have been rebuilding for the past several seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers
Few teams get more love from gamblers with worse value than the Lakers. Following a rare season of profit, the Lakers flopped in the first round of the playoffs, losing to Minnesota in five games. Luka Doncic arrived in a mid-season trade to salvage the 2024-25 campaign and replace LeBron James as the marquee man in LA. James wore out his welcome long ago, and the franchise and its fans are ready to move on.