The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the 2024-25 NBA championship by defeating the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling seven-game series. With free agency now underway, anticipation is building around the upcoming season and which team will rise to the top. Will the Thunder defend their title? Can the Houston Rockets, fresh off a major trade for Kevin Durant, claim the championship next year? Or will another team surprise us this offseason?
As of July 1st, DraftKings Sportsbook released their early betting odds for the 2025-26 NBA Finals winner:
- Oklahoma City Thunder: +225 (bet $10 to win $32.50)
- New York Knicks: +750 (bet $10 to win $85)
- Houston Rockets: +850 (bet $10 to win $95)
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +850 (bet $10 to win $95)
- Denver Nuggets: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140)
- Los Angeles Lakers: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170)
- Orlando Magic: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200)
- Golden State Warriors: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210)
- Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 each)
- Boston Celtics: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360)
- Milwaukee Bucks: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410)
- San Antonio Spurs: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460)
- Atlanta Hawks: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560)
- Detroit Pistons: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610)
- Indiana Pacers: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810)
- Memphis Grizzlies: +20,000 (bet $10 to win $2,010)
- Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans: +25,000 (bet $10 to win $2,510)
- Sacramento Kings: +50,000 (bet $10 to win $5,010)
- Phoenix Suns: +60,000 (bet $10 to win $6,010)
- Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers: +80,000 (bet $10 to win $8,010)
- Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz: +100,000 (bet $10 to win $10,010)
Since the Finals ended and the NBA Draft and free agency began, several teams have seen their odds shift notably:
- The Denver Nuggets improved from +1800 to +1100 after trading Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick to Brooklyn for Cam Thomas.
- The Boston Celtics dropped from +1800 to +3500 after sending Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis elsewhere.
- The Dallas Mavericks moved up from +4500 to +3000 following the draft selection of Cooper Flag, the first overall pick.
- The Milwaukee Bucks rose from +6000 to +4000 after signing Miles Turner and moving on from Damian Lillard.
- The San Antonio Spurs fell from +2200 to +4500 after drafting Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant.
- The Atlanta Hawks jumped from +10,000 to +5,500, gaining Porziņģis and adding Nickaire Alexander Walker and Luke Kennard.
- The Indiana Pacers dropped significantly from +1800 to +8000 after Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles and losing Myles Turner in free agency.
- The Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, and Brooklyn Nets saw steep drops in their odds as well.
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Fan Take: This offseason shake-up is crucial for fans as it sets the stage for an exciting and unpredictable 2025-26 NBA season. With star trades, injuries, and young talent reshaping team fortunes, basketball lovers should brace for thrilling games and fierce competition ahead.
