2026 NBA Championship Odds

By Hank Blaine • October 14, 2025

NBA Championship odds are out. As we all expected, the defending champion OKC Thunder are a solid +220 favorite. The Cleveland Cavaliers are at +650 and the Denver Nuggets are at +750. The Lakers, with Luka Doncic and LeBron James, offer a healthy +1500. Which teams should we target before the 2025 regular season starts to win the NBA Finals? Keep reading for NBA odds, analysis, and picks to lift the trophy and wear rings in June.

Odds to Win the 2026 NBA Championship

Could we see the Magic and Warriors in the NBA Finals? Could the Lakers miss the postseason entirely?

After numerous simulations, @kpelton used simulation No. 620 to look at one scenario for how this season could play out https://t.co/h8oC2an4wm
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 14, 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder +250
Denver Nuggets +740
Cleveland Cavaliers +740
New York Knicks +800
LA Lakers +1100
Houston Rockets +1100
Orlando Magic +1500
Minnesota Timberwolves +1600
LA Clippers +1900
Golden State Warriors +2400
Dallas Mavericks +2900
Atlanta Hawks +2900
Boston Celtics +3400
Philadelphia 76rs +3400
Detroit Pistons +4400
San Antonio Spurs +4900
Milwaukee Bucks +4900
Indiana Pacers +6900
Memphis Grizzlies +9900
Toronto Raptors +14900
Miami Heat +19900
Phoenix Suns +29900
New Orleans Pelicans +29900
Sacramento Kings +39900
Chicago Bulls +59900
Portland Trail Blazers +69900
Washington Wizards +99900
Charlotte Hornets +99900
Utah Jazz +99900
Brooklyn Nets +99900

Top Pick to Win the 2026 NBA Championship

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is moving his way into dynasty leader territory. SGA has a chance to be the next Steph Curry by leading the Thunder to multiple titles. Oklahoma City has zero flaws as a team.

The squad has a Big Three in Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. The bench is deep, and the Thunder play defense as well as any team in the NBA. Expect other teams to try but fail to dethrone the champs.

Second Pick to Win the 2026 NBA Championship

We need to make the Cleveland Cavaliers the runner-up, despite Denver being the better team. Nikola Jokic and his mates don’t play in the Eastern Conference. Donovan Mitchell and his buds do.

The Cavs boast a fantastic starting five with Mitchell and Darius Garland in the backcourt, along with Evan Mobley up front. Landing Lonzo Ball to back up Mitchell is a solid move because even though Ball isn’t as close to being as effective on the court as his younger bro LaMelo, Lonzo is a great distributor who will give Mitchell the required rest. The Cavs have the potential to go far and should make it to the Finals before facing the Thunder.

Top Overlay Pick to Win the 2026 NBA Championship

The T’Wolves are necessarily an overlay at +1600 because they play in the Western Conference and must beat the Nuggets and the Thunder. Still, the odds are fair to slightly overlaid, and no other team offers anything worth backing, including the Celtics, who must play 2025-2026 without Jayson Tatum.

So at +1700, Minnesota is worth a look. For sure, injuries must befall the Nuggets and Thunder. If that happens, Anthony Edwards and his mates will be there to pick up the pieces.

Top Dark Horse Pick to Win the 2026 NBA Championship

Great franchises don’t stay down for long, and the San Antonio Spurs are one of the greatest franchises in any sport in history. The Spurs don’t have the talent on paper.

But San Antonio tends to start getting good after three or four years of mediocrity, and when the Spurs get good, they stay good for a long time. Victor Wembenyama is going to dominate this season.

19-year-old Dylan Harper is possible for opening night after suffering a thumb injury. If Harper plays, expect Wembenyama and Harper to start building the necessary chemistry to make the Spurs a contender. By midseason, the odds could be at +2500. So if the blueprint is there, get on board at +6000.

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