Odds to Win 2025-26 NBA Championship: First Repeat Champ in Nearly a Decade?

The Oklahoma City Thunder capped off a dominant season with an NBA title earlier this week. Now, the focus shifts to how likely are they to do it again for the 2025-26 season. We have not seen a back-to-back NBA champion since Golden State in 2017 and 2018. The NBA odds expect the Thunder to have a solid shot at repeating as they appear to be a tier above everyone.

Here’s how we can bet on the early NBA Final odds at BetUS:

Best Bets To Win 2026 NBA Title?

The Favorite: Thunder (+225) Stand at The Top

• Oklahoma City Thunder +225

Many may question the Game 7 result against Indiana due to what happened to Tyrese Haliburton. But OKC won and gets to keep its entire core – from Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to two-way bench star Alex Caruso. It will be hard to top Oklahoma City given its continuity, experience, and star power. At these odds, now is not a bad time to bet.

Bet on: Oklahoma City Thunder (+225)

The Contenders: Rockets (+850) Soar Following Blockbuster

• Houston Rockets +850
• Cleveland Cavaliers +900
• New York Knicks +900
• Boston Celtics +1800
• Minnesota Timberwolves +1400
• Los Angeles Lakers +1400
• Denver Nuggets +1600

Congratulations to everyone who bet on NBA props on Houston getting Kevin Durant. The deal only cost the Rockets Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and a few draft picks. Next to Oklahoma City, we can argue that Houston is the next-best team in terms of youth, talent and star power. Indeed, Houston now has the second-shortest odds to win the 2025-26 NBA title.

From ’06 ➡️ ’25

Kevin Durant makes his return to the Lone Star State 🤠 pic.twitter.com/LFnKG7k8sH

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 22, 2025

Over to the East, Cleveland, New York, and Boston are the likeliest finalists. Sorry, but it’s hard to bet on any of these teams. Boston is not just missing Jayson Tatum, but has already traded two stars and could lose more. The Knicks stayed healthy this past season, though they looked worn down in the conference finals.

Our money should be on Houston, which is 8/1. An alternative would be the Lakers if they can swing a deal for Jaren Jackson Jr. to complement Luka Doncic and LeBron James. This is a massive “if” and unlikely to happen. But don’t rule it out for a team that snatched Doncic while everyone slept.

Bet On: Houston Rockets (+850)

The Dark Horses: Enticing Odds For Potential Risers

• Orlando Magic +1600
• Golden State Warriors +2500
• San Antonio Spurs +2500
• Dallas Mavericks +3000
• Los Angeles Clippers +3000
• Philadelphia 76ers +3300
• Indiana Pacers +5000
• Detroit Pistons +5000
• Milwaukee Bucks +6000

Speaking of Doncic, our favorite dark-horse bet is on his old team: the Dallas Mavericks at 30/1. They made shocking NBA betting news by winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes for the NBA Draft. Dallas would be in the upper category if we could guarantee the health of Anthony Davis.

Alas, betting on this team comes with plenty of risk. But it’s also why we’re getting the Mavs at long odds. Kyrie Irving may miss the entire season, but there is a small chance he returns to play a few NBA games just before the playoffs.

Outside of Big D, we’re interested in the Philadelphia 76ers if Joel Embiid and Paul George stay healthy and return to their All-NBA forms. We’d like better than a 33/1 NBA title shot, though. :Like Dallas, though, a healthy Philadelphia team is not too far from the best NBA teams.

Bet On: Dallas Mavericks (+3000)

💍coming🔜 pic.twitter.com/rJSgpDHoHr

— Cooper Flagg Muse (@CooperFMuse) June 23, 2025

Everyone Else: Don’t Bet … Unless a Freaky Trade

• Memphis Grizzlies +12500
• Toronto Raptors +15000
• Miami Heat +15000
• Phoenix Suns +20000
• New Orleans Pelicans +25000
• Portland Trail Blazers +25000
• Atlanta Hawks +10000
• Sacramento Kings +25000
• Charlotte Hornets +50000
• Chicago Bulls +50000
• Washington Wizards +50000
• Brooklyn Nets +50000
• Utah Jazz +50000

All the teams here are best to bet using NBA prop picks on a nightly basis, not a title futures bet. The best we can offer is on a longshot chance that either Miami or Toronto pulls off a deal similar to what Houston did, but for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Why would the “Greek Freak” play in these teams? Because he’s so dominant, he could carry a team like Miami (which we’d bet if we had to, from one of these teams) back to the NBA Finals. It’s unlikely but not impossible. Stay tuned.

Bet On: Miami Heat (+15000)

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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