by
Oklahoma City Thunder finally secured its first NBA title since relocating, and oddsmakers expect them to stay on top. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder enter the 2026 campaign as the frontrunners to repeat, with the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Denver Nuggets listed as their closest challengers.
- What? 2026 NBA Championship
- Where? U.S.A
- When? October 26, 2025 – June 26, 2026
Below are the odds from three of the best NBA Basketball betting sites.
| NBA |  |  |  |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +265 | +250 | +250 |
| Houston Rockets | +700 | +800 | +800 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +750 | +700 | +700 |
| Denver Nuggets | +800 | +750 | +750 |
| New York Knicks | +950 | +850 | +850 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1200 | +1600 | +1600 |
| L.A Clippers | +1800 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Golden State Warriors | +2000 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Orlando Magic | +2200 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +2500 | +2800 | +2800 |
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder finally broke through in 2025, hoisting their first championship trophy since relocating from Seattle. By doing so, they erased their name from the list of franchises still searching for an NBA title—following the Denver Nuggets, who ended their drought back in 2023.
Oddsmakers suggest that Oklahoma City’s breakthrough may just be the beginning. The team sits atop the early 2026 futures board as the clear betting favorite. With injuries slowing several top contenders in the East and only Nikola Jokić appearing capable of consistently challenging their defense out West, this young Thunder squad looks poised for a potential dynasty run.
Of course, if you’re not buying into the hype, plenty of value exists further down the board with teams carrying longer odds. Before you make your picks, you can check out our NBA Finals betting guide for everything you need for the best NBA Finals bets.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have made a bold move to elevate themselves from a promising young squad to a legitimate championship contender. After a 52-30 regular season, Houston’s NBA playoff run was cut short in a grueling seven-game battle with the Golden State Warriors. While their youthful core showed growth, the absence of a consistent scoring leader became glaring. Jalen Green was tasked with being that guy, but his wildly fluctuating production — ranging from just seven points in some games to a 38-point outburst in another — left the team searching for stability.
That search led them to a blockbuster deal. Houston parted ways with Green in order to acquire Kevin Durant, the NBA’s eighth all-time leading scorer. Though no longer the singular force who could carry a franchise on his own, Durant remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons. Even in a rocky season with the Suns, he still put up 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while knocking down 43% of his three-pointers. For the Rockets, his veteran scoring punch could be the missing ingredient in their push for a deeper postseason run.
Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s fair to say that injuries have played a major role in cutting Cleveland’s playoff pushes short over the last two seasons. In their recent conference semifinal clash with the Pacers, the Cavaliers were without Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De’Andre Hunter at various points. A year earlier, they ran into the eventual champion Celtics under similarly compromised circumstances. It’s impossible to know how far they might have gone at full strength, but the trend has been unfortunate.
Sportsbooks seem to be leaning on the idea that the Cavs are due for better fortune this time around. With the assumption that their key contributors can stay healthy, Cleveland is positioned among the leading favorites in the futures market.
Denver Nuggets
For Nuggets fans, the last two playoff exits have been particularly painful, given how close the team appeared to extending its championship window. In 2024, Denver watched a 20-point third-quarter lead slip away in a Game 7 defeat at home to Minnesota. Then, just a year later, Aaron Gordon’s injury set the stage for another crushing Game 7 loss, this time to Oklahoma City.
With Nikola Jokić continuing to put up all-time great numbers, those missed opportunities sting even more. Recognizing that they can’t afford to waste the prime years of their superstar, the front office has focused heavily on strengthening the roster around him, determined to maximize Denver’s title chances while Jokić remains at the height of his powers.
Below is our partner table of the best betting sites for your NBA bets.
Best Betting Sites 