2025-26 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions: Can Anyone Stop OKC?

Oklahoma City Thunder (+265)

• • Head Coach: Mark Daigneault
  • 2024-25 Record: 68-14 (Won NBA title)
  • NBA Titles: 2 (1 as Seattle Supersonics)
  • Key Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams

The Thunder were the dominant team in the NBA last season, finishing with the league’s best record at 68-14. They were tested in the playoffs, going to seven games twice, including in the Finals against Indiana, but the Thunder won the franchise’s second title after moving to Oklahoma.

In 1979, the Thunder won in Seattle as the Supersonics, so this is their first after relocating to OKC.

One month until Opening Night 🗣 pic.twitter.com/kaJUxSXgnB

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) September 21, 2025

OKC didn’t do much in the offseason, except take care of their main players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opens the season as one of the favorites in the NBA MVP odds after winning last year. “SGA” got a contract extension, as did Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

There were no major losses, although first-round pick Thomas Sorber will miss the season with an ACL. However, 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic is back after tearing his ACL last summer.

The Thunder’s most difficult obstacle will be motivation, fatigue, and pressure. It’s tough to repeat in the NBA,. No team has done so since Golden State won in 2017 and 2019. They’ll have a target on their back, but OKC did all last season anyway as the league’s best team.

They’re young, and led by one of the NBA’s most humble superstars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Mark Daigneault is also one of the best coaches in the league. The Thunder are deserving of being far out in front of the league in the NBA title odds.

They have quality, depth, and now experience at winning the league. Consider betting on the Thunder now because a price of +265 might be the best you get all season!

Denver Nuggets (+700)

• • Head Coach: David Adelman
  • 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (Loss Western Conference Semifinals)
  • NBA Titles: 1
  • Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson

The Denver Nuggets’ NBA Championship betting odds have jumped considerably this month! Bettors are taking note of the changes the Nuggets made in the offseason, which include an overhaul of their bench.

The Nuggets already had an impressive starting five last season. However, the bench was thin and didn’t have the most depth. The Nuggets fixed that and even brought back Bruce Brown, who was an important piece of the championship bench.

In addition to Brown, the Nuggets acquired Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway Jr. Depth shouldn’t be as much of a concern for the Nuggets this season. In fact, it’s gone from a weakness to somewhat of a strength in Denver.

The Nuggets also made moves by trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for scorer Cam Johnson. Johnson is coming off a career-high with 18.8 points per game on 47.5% shooting. He should be a spark plug next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Nikola Jokić becomes the first EVER center to average a triple-double in a season 😱🃏

The Joker joins Russ and Oscar Robertson as the only players to do so 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YWDez0oFeR

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 12, 2025

Jokic didn’t win MVP last season but was certainly worthy of winning over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They could have been co-MVPs because there wasn’t much separation. Jokic finished with 29.6 points per game on 57.6% shooting. He chipped in with 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game to average a triple-double!

Denver was fourth in the NBA in scoring, with 118.8 points per game in 2024-25. The defense wasn’t in peak form, as they conceded 116.1 points per game, for 22nd in the league. That said, with improvements to the bench, fatigue shouldn’t be as much of an issue.

The Nuggets are real threats, so I can’t fault a small play for your NBA Championship picks at +700!

Cleveland Cavaliers (+750)

• Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson 
• 2024-25 Record: 64-18 (Lost in Second Round)
• NBA Titles: 1
• Key Players: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley

The Cavaliers, on paper, are the best team in the Eastern Conference, which has been upended with injuries to Boston and Indiana. Cleveland had the second-best record in the NBA last season, and swept Miami in historic fashion.

However, the Cavaliers were dumped in five games by Indiana, raising more questions about the team.

Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland underwent surgery to repair great toe injury and will be sidelined approximately 4 to 5 months. pic.twitter.com/rk7RH912tF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 9, 2025

It should be noted that the Cavaliers will be missing Darius Garland for the start of the season after toe surgery. Max Strus is rehabbing a foot injury, while Evan Mobley appears to be healthy after struggling through the playoffs with an ankle injury. Cavs’ fans will point to the Garland and Mobley injuries for their playoff struggles.

Donovan Mitchell is back to lead the offense, and defending NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson returns for his second season in Cleveland. The Cavaliers may not have a better chance to reach the NBA Finals than this season with Jayson Tatum on the shelf for Boston, and Tyrese Haliburton out for Indiana. They should finish no lower than second in the East, and if everyone is healthy, I like them more than New York.

At +750, given their circumstances in the East, the Cavaliers could be a solid bet in these NBA title betting odds.

New York Knicks (+950)

• • Head Coach: Mike Brown
  • 2024-25 Record: 51-31 (Lost in Conference Finals)
  • NBA Titles: 2
  • Key Players: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart

The Knicks have a new coach in Mike Brown after firing Tom Thibodeau, and the city of New York has high expectations for a team that lost in the Eastern Conference finals in six games to Indiana.

BREAKING: The New York Knicks are relieving Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach, sources tell ESPN. Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first East Finals in 25 years, made playoffs in 4 of 5 years and led Knicks to consecutive 50+ win seasons for first time since the 1990s. pic.twitter.com/B7w8KhoEcF

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 3, 2025

Jalen Brunson won NBA Clutch Player of the Year, and leads a great one-two punch with Karl-Anthony Towns. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges can be a fantastic wing duo, but some nights, you don’t notice they’re playing.

Josh Hart brings the grit, and is the best rebounding guard in the league. The Knicks also made some smart acquisitions, as Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele should help the bench, and take some pressure off the starters.

Can the Knicks overtake the Cavaliers? In the depleted East, the Knicks and Cavs are head and shoulders above the rest (with all due respect to Milwaukee). I’d like to see some improvement from the bench first, as that would allow Brunson and the top players to rest. I’m hesitant to jump on the Knicks’ NBA title odds just yet.

Los Angeles Lakers (+1200)

• • Head Coach: J.J. Redick
  • 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (Lost in First Round)
  • NBA Titles: 17
  • Key Players: Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves

The Lakers pulled off one of the wildest moves in NBA history to pick up Luka Dončić in February. Much has been made of Dončić’s offseason, where he looks to be in the best shape of his life. He was outstanding at EuroBasket 2025, leading Slovenia to the quarterfinals.

LUKA DONČIĆ: EuroBasket 2025 All-Star Five 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zH1oHPYVJ3

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 14, 2025

It seems like LeBron James is ready to hand over the team to Dončić, but you can be sure that “King” James, who turns 41 on December 30, will have a big say in the Lakers’ fortunes. The signing of Deandre Ayton is really hard to evaluate. It could be one of the best acquisitions of the offseason, or it could be a disaster, depending on what version of the big man shows up in LA.

It’ll be a very intriguing season for Austin Reaves, who has a player option for the 2026-27 season, but is likely in line for a big raise after turning down an offer from the Lakers this summer. J.J. Redick showed some chops in his first season as a head coach, and should be more comfortable now.

With Dončić and James, this price of +1200 looks tasty, especially if Dončić is on a mission after being traded from Dallas. My concerns are with the rest of the roster, and a few questions need to be answered before I can truly recommend a wager on the Lakers.

Houston Rockets (+1200)

• • Head Coach: Ime Udoka
  • 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (Lost in First Round)
  • NBA Titles: 2
  • Key Players: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jalen Green

The Houston Rockets made a huge splash in the offseason by trading for Kevin Durant. The 2013-14 MVP was part of a blockbuster deal that included seven teams. With the Rockets in win-now mode, the front office believed it would be prudent to bring in the former Warrior.

Paired with a talented, young core that has 23-year-old center Alperen Sengun and 23-year-old guard Jalen Green, Durant takes experience and talent with him to Houston. He is coming off another strong season in his third year in Phoenix. Durant notched 26.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting and a 43% three-point percentage.

Media day on Monday. Just get through the weekend, y’all 🤝 pic.twitter.com/qxKN9NQxt5

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 26, 2025

He can still take over games and isn’t over the hill at 36 years old. Expect the offense to excel this season after finishing 17th with 113.5 points per game. That number will see a solid bump with Durant in the lineup. The defense is already on an elite level, having conceded 109.3 points per game — sixth in the league last year.

The Rockets will have to deal with the absence of veteran guard Fred VanVleet, though. That’s a notable loss that could have pushed the Rockets out of the title picture. Nevertheless, the Rockets are going to be dangerous with Durant and Green in the backcourt.

Orlando Magic (+2200)

• • Head Coach: Jamahl Mosley
  • 2024-25 Record: 41-41 (Lost in First Round)
  • NBA Titles: 0
  • Key Players: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane

The Magic have been one of the best defensive teams in the league recently, but their offense gets bogged down. It turns into Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner going into isolation, but they got some help in the offseason.

The pickup of Desmond Bane from Memphis for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and five first-round picks was a sneaky good move.

pic.twitter.com/AHwf3RZpNd

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) September 20, 2025

Bane is one of the league’s best shooters, which will open up space for Banchero (who signed an extension) and Wagner. Tyus Jones gives the Magic a proper point guard. Jalen Suggs should be healthy after a knee injury. The Magic are like many teams in the East, in that there is a “why not us?” mentality throughout the conference.

I want to see how well Bane fits into the system. In theory, it should be a home run, but basketball is not played on theories. Still, at +2200, the Magic could be a good value bet here in these NBA championship odds.

San Antonio Spurs (+4000)

• • Head Coach: Mitch Johnson
  • 2024-25 Record: 34-48 (Missed Playoffs)
  • NBA Titles: 5
  • Key Players: Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle

This is based on an MVP-level jump from Victor Wembanyama. “Wemby” missed the second half of the season due to blood clots, but he appears to be healthy. This could be a bad sign for the rest of the NBA!

Back to the grind 😤 pic.twitter.com/txGrCl1gLc

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 20, 2025

The Spurs have a good supporting cast around Wembanyama, but they’re still very young. Rookie of the Year odds have Dylan Harper high on the list, and he’ll compete with reigning ROY Stephon Castle for minutes. De’Aaron Fox should be healthy at some point, while Harrison Barnes provides veteran presence in the locker room. Mitch Johnson is the full-time head coach after the retirement of the legendary Gregg Popovich.

It’s probably a year too soon for the Spurs, at least. But if “Wemby” jumps into the top tier of NBA players, who knows what could happen!