The Oklahoma City Thunder are on top of the 2026 NBA championship odds after winning it all in 2025. With MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a young core, oddsmakers have them listed as the favorite at +220 to win again. The Thunder are followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers (+700), New York Knicks (+750), and Houston Rockets (+850), who recently traded for Kevin Durant.
Many teams have made moves already this offseason, shifting the futures market. Boston traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis. Orlando added Desmond Bane. The Pacers lost Tyrese Haliburton to injury. There’s value to be found deeper on the board. WagerHome is the best spot to follow these moves and become a PPH bookie. Check out all the tools at WagerHome.com.
Thunder Preview – The Champs Start On Top
The Thunder beat the Pacers in seven games to win the 2025 NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring, won MVP, and took home Finals MVP. He was backed by a strong playoff group that stayed healthy through most of the run.
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were key players all season. Holmgren only played 32 regular season games due to injury but was ready when the playoffs began. The team also missed Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso for stretches of the regular season but had them for the postseason.
Oklahoma City also has three picks in the 2025 NBA Draft: No. 15, No. 24, and No. 44. With a healthy roster and a deep bench, they could win over 65 games in the regular season. It’s rare to find this level of youth, talent, and playoff experience all in one group. That’s why they’re the favorite.
Rockets Preview – Can Durant Push Houston Over the Top?
Houston traded for Kevin Durant and saw their title odds drop from +1800 to +850. That move pushed them into the top four favorites. Durant joins a young group with upside and playoff hopes after a solid 2025 season.
Durant gives the Rockets a proven scorer and playoff leader. He was drafted by the Sonics before they became the Thunder, making this move full circle. Now he’s with a Houston team that has young talent and depth to support him.
The question is whether the price is still right. The market reacted fast. Sharp bettors are not jumping in at +850. If Durant stays healthy, Houston could reach the West Finals. If not, this team may struggle to beat Denver or OKC.
Cavaliers Preview – Is This the Year Cleveland Breaks Through?
The Cavaliers are listed at +700 and have one of the most stable cores in the East. They finished strong in the 2025 season and now sit just behind OKC in the futures market. Donovan Mitchell remains the lead scoring option.
Cleveland’s defense ranked among the best last season. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchor the paint, and Darius Garland runs the offense. This team is built for playoff basketball and could benefit from injuries to other top East teams.
With the Celtics, Pacers, and Bucks dealing with injuries to stars, the door is open in the East. Cleveland’s odds show that oddsmakers believe this is their best shot yet. At +700, there’s still some value if they stay healthy.
Magic Preview – Can Orlando Turn Promise into a Title Run?
The Magic added Desmond Bane in a trade during the Finals. He brings much-needed shooting to a team that already had defense and size. Bane shoots 41% from three for his career and adds a scoring boost to the lineup.
Orlando finished seventh in the East last year but dealt with injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. All three missed over 20 games. A healthier season and Bane’s fit on both ends make them a dark horse.
At +2000, Orlando is one of the most talked about longshots in the market. Some sportsbooks have them as low as +1200 to win the East. The Magic could surprise if their key players stay on the court. They have the size, youth, and defense to do it.
Nuggets Preview – Jokic Leads Denver’s Bounce Back Bid
The Nuggets sit around +1500 on most books, with Nikola Jokic still the favorite to win MVP. They pushed OKC to seven games in the Western Semis even with key injuries. Denver has a title window that’s still open.
Jokic will lead the way again, but the Nuggets need more health around him. They’re making offseason decisions that will shape their depth. The team’s recent title win in 2023 shows they know how to get it done.
Denver’s odds reflect both risk and reward. They have one of the top three players in the league and a system that works. If healthy, they’re a real threat to the Thunder. At +1600, the price is fair for bettors looking for upside.
PPH Betting Prediction
The Thunder at +220 is the clear favorite, but it’s rare to repeat in the NBA. Golden State was the last team to do it in 2017 and 2018. That said, this OKC team is different. They’re young, deep, and already have playoff experience. They are still the best pick if you want the most likely winner.
For value, Orlando at +2000 stands out in the East. They added Bane and have size, defense, and upside. Houston and Cleveland are also in good spots, but their odds are much shorter. To start your own sportsbook and take futures bets like these, visit WagerHome.com and launch your PPH platform today.
Pick: Thunder +220
