Thunder huge favorites, books split on Eastern Conference in '26 odds

Field Level Media|published: Sun 22nd June, 23:06 2025

The Larry O'Brien Championship trophy — the award given to the NBA champion each season -- pictured at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May.

Before the Oklahoma City Thunder made the acquaintance of the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time as NBA champions, they were already big favorites to get the next one in 2025-26.

Consensus futures odds for the 2025-26 NBA title heavily favor Oklahoma City, which has few offseason questions outside of how many zeroes the next contract for league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could require.

FanDuel likes the Thunder at +220 and splits from the consensus with the Cleveland Cavaliers (+850) narrowly ahead of the New York Knicks (+950) and the Timberwolves. The Western Conference finalist is +1300 followed by

DraftKings listed OKC as +220 favorites and the prohibitive pick to reign next season over the runners up at +900 -- the Indiana Pacers and the Knicks -- before Minnesota (+1000). The Pacers' outlook for 2025-26 could hinge on the severity of the injury star Tyrese Haliburton suffered in Game 7.

For the sake of explanation, a $10 wager on a +220 winner would pay $22 ($100 pays $220, etc).

The Cavaliers (+1100) and Houston Rockets (+1200) are next with the Lakers and Spurs both rising in recent weeks to +1600. Houston is reportedly acquiring Kevin Durant from Phoenix.

Houston and Indiana were even at +1300 at FanDuel before Game 7.

Last year's NBA champion, the Boston Celtics, entered the 2024-25 season as heavy favorites but were eliminated by the Knicks in the conference semifinals. The Celtics are currently +2000 at DraftKings (+1500 FanDuel) behind the previous title winner, Denver, at +1700. The Nuggets are +1600 at FanDuel.

Boston is facing the potential of a season without Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles. The Nuggets lost to the Thunder in seven games in the conference semifinals after a late-season coaching change, and more upheaval is expected on the roster.

Golden State is the last franchise to win consecutive championships. The Warriors, who also won the 2022 title before Denver's breakthrough, went to five consecutive Finals from 2015-2019. Golden State went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

Prior to moving to Oklahoma City, the franchise was known as the Seattle SuperSonics and appeared in the NBA Finals in 1978 and 1996.

--Field Level Media