Steve Starr
- BetOnline‘s futures for the 2022 NBA Championship favor the Brooklyn Nets (+325)
- NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are +700 to win back-to-back titles
- The Lakers (+475) and Warriors (+1000) are expected to add significant pieces this offseason
Led by an all-time NBA Finals performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks won their first NBA championship in a half century. In a league that has become overrun by superstars wanting to team up in glamorous big cities, Milwaukee’s win could give hope to all the small market franchises – then again, none of those clubs have a selfless 26-year-old Greek superstar to build around.
Before Thursday’s NBA Draft and the start of Free Agency next week, let’s look at the odds to see what teams are favored to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2022. And if you need any help or advice, review these tips for betting on basketball.
2022 NBA Championship Odds
 |
|
| Brooklyn Nets | +325 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +475 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +700 |
| Phoenix Suns | +900 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1000 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1400 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1400 |
| Utah Jazz | +1600 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1800 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +2500 |
| Miami Heat | +2500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +2800 |
| Boston Celtics | +3300 |
| New York Knicks | +3300 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +3300 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +5000 |
| Toronto Raptors | +5000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +6600 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +6600 |
| Washington Wizards | +8000 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +10000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +10000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +15000 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +20000 |
| Detroit Pistons | +20000 |
| Orlando Magic | +20000 |
| Sacramento Kings | +20000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +20000 |
| Houston Rockets | +50000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +50000 |
Nets open as title favorites
Most believe the Brooklyn Nets (+325) would’ve easily won this year’s NBA Championship if Kyrie Irving didn’t sprain his ankle and James Harden hadn’t strained his hamstring. Still, considering Kyrie’s volatility, the Beard’s long track record of playoff choke jobs and Kevin Durant’s own injury history, it’s hard to buy in at this price in July.
The Lakers (+475) also had an injury-aided exit from the postseason when Anthony Davis strained his groin against the Suns in their first-round playoff series. With the offseason hot stove already cooking at high heat, rumors have the Purple & Gold mulling a trade for Russell Westbrook, and former Raptors Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan using free agency to reunite in Los Angeles.
Kyle Lowry And DeMar DeRozan Reportedly Want To Form A Super Team With LeBron And The Lakershttps://t.co/stWTjukPGh pic.twitter.com/DCBAa9uDN4
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 23, 2021
Getting little respect for a reigning NBA champion that will be returning all of their key pieces, Milwaukee is at +700. That said, with Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday all drawing lucrative annual salaries, the Bucks have little cap space to add to their roster.
The future of the Suns (+900) looks bright with sharpshooter Devin Booker and big man Deandre Ayton, but Phoenix could lose 36-year-old point guard Chris Paul in free agency. This is an obvious stay away.
Best longshot bets
Longshot bets rarely pay off in the NBA, but Golden State is a sharp speculative bet at +1000. With a bevy of attractive assets (the No. 7 and No. 14 picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft and sophomore center James Wiseman), the Warriors could reel in a big fish like Bradley Beal to pair with their championship core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and the returning Klay Thompson.
Otherwise, you’re probably better off ignoring the Clippers (+1400), 76ers (+1400) and Jazz (+1600), and instead taking a shot on teams with ascending talent such as NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets (+1800), Luka Doncic and the Mavericks (+2500) and Trae Young and the Hawks (+2800) in hopes that their franchises could land a secondary star to put them over the top.
Report: If Bradley Beal were ever to become available, the Warriors would have “strong interest,” via @ThompsonScribe. pic.twitter.com/QRBk6cfXDA
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 23, 2021
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
