Thunder Huge Favorites, Books Split On Eastern Conference In '26 Odds

Before the Oklahoma City Thunder made the acquaintance of the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the very first time as NBA champs, they were currently big favorites to get the next one in 2025-26.


Consensus futures chances for the 2025-26 NBA title greatly favor Oklahoma City, which has few offseason questions beyond the number of absolutely nos the next contract for league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might need.


FanDuel likes the Thunder at +220 and divides from the consensus with the Cleveland Cavaliers (+850) narrowly ahead of the New York Knicks (+950) and the Timberwolves. The Western Conference finalist is +1300 followed by


DraftKings noted OKC as +220 favorites and the prohibitive choice to reign next season over the runners up at +900-- the Indiana Pacers and the Knicks-- before Minnesota (+1000 ). The Pacers' outlook for 2025-26 could depend upon the seriousness of the injury star Tyrese Haliburton suffered in Game 7.


For the sake of explanation, a $10 wager on a +220 winner would pay $22 ($100 pays $220, etc).


The Cavaliers (+1100) and Houston Rockets (+1200) are next with the Lakers and Spurs both rising in recent weeks to +1600. Houston is apparently acquiring Kevin Durant from Phoenix.


Houston and Indiana were even at +1300 at FanDuel before Game 7.


Last year's NBA champion, the Boston Celtics, went into the 2024-25 season as heavy favorites but were eliminated by the Knicks in the . The Celtics are currently +2000 at DraftKings (+1500 FanDuel) behind the previous title winner, Denver, at +1700. The Nuggets are +1600 at FanDuel.


Boston is dealing with the potential of a season without Jayson Tatum, who is recuperating from a ruptured Achilles. The Nuggets lost to the Thunder in seven video games in the conference semifinals after a late-season training modification, and more upheaval is expected on the roster.


Golden State is the last franchise to win consecutive championships. The Warriors, who likewise won the 2022 title before Denver's advancement, went to 5 successive Finals from 2015-2019. Golden State went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.


Prior to moving to Oklahoma City, the franchise was called the Seattle SuperSonics and appeared in the NBA Finals in 1978 and 1996.