2025-26 NBA Finals Odds: Thunder, Nuggets Lead the Way
NBA championship odds for the 2025-26 season are getting more attention, as the regular season arrives. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who just claimed their first title, are favored to repeat as champs.
Along with OKC, others among the favorites to win the NBA Championship as of October 28, 2025:
- Oklahoma City Thunder +260
- Denver Nuggets +525
- Cleveland Cavaliers +800
- New York Knicks +900
- Minnesota Timberwolves +1500
The offseason saw some shuffling in odds to win the NBA Finals, largely due to trades and big moves after free agency began June 30.
Below are current NBA Finals odds from an array of sportsbooks, including bet365, followed by oddsmaker insights through three weeks. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action on 2026 NBA futures odds.
(Feature image credit: Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)
Nba Champion Odds
2026 NBA Finals Odds
Leaders of the Pack
LATEST UPDATE: When we last saw the Oklahoma City Thunder in meaningful games, it was Game 7 of the championship series against the Indiana Pacers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. won that 103-91, clinching OKC's first NBA title.
BetMGM followed by making Oklahoma City the +240 favorite in 2025-26 NBA Finals odds. The Thunder's price has seen minor changes since then, and with the season underway, they're +260.
The Thunder are No. 3 in ticket count and No. 3 in money at BetMGM.
"But due to their, price they remain a decent winner for us at the moment," BetMGM senior trader Hal Egeland said. "We take a decent amount of money on the favorite regardless of the team.
"But with us not being live in Oklahoma and the Thunder not being a legacy team, our liability shouldn't get too high on the reigning champs."
The same can't be said of the No. 2 choice in NBA futures odds. The Denver Nuggets, who made a few lauded offseason moves, are into +525 from a +1600 opener. Those changes:
- Trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn, to get Cam Johnson
- Signing Bruce Brown, who played for Toronto last season but was a key cog in Denver's 2022-23 championship run
- Signing Tim Hardaway Jr., who played for Detroit last season
- Trading Dario Saric to Sacramento, to get Jonas Valanciunas
"The Nuggets certainly have a lot of interest with the public this year," Egeland said. "They lead BetMGM in the amount of bets and are second in handle, only behind the Lakers.
"We usually take a decent amount of Nuggets action, being live in Colorado. But they're usually comfortably behind the Lakers and Warriors."
Between oddsmakers' opinions and the action from bettors, BetMGM had to boost the Nuggets up the board.
"We loved what they did in the offseason, hence the drastic price movement. And the public agrees," Egeland said. "Currently, the Nuggets are a relatively small loser for us. But I don't envision that growing too much, as long as their price remains at the top of the field."
Needs and Liabilities
As noted above, Denver is No. 1 in tickets in BetMGM's NBA championship odds. The Los Angeles Lakers (+2000) are No. 2, with the Thunder, Golden State Warriors (+2000) and Dallas Mavericks rounding out the top five.
In money, no surprise, it's the Lakers No. 1, then Denver, OKC, Golden State and Dallas.
So who is BetMGM aiming to avoid lifting the trophy come next June?
"The Mavericks, Warriors, Suns, Lakers and Spurs are the teams that would be our worst results," Egeland said. "The Lakers and Warriors being here is extremely predictable. That will happen every year.
"The Suns have a decent liability strictly due to the price. We aren't too concerned about them."
Indeed, Phoenix is a distant +50000. San Antonio, though, is more interesting. Victor Wembanyama & Co. slid from +2500 to open all the way to +6600 ahead of the regular-season tipoff. But just a few days in, the Spurs have improved to +4000.
"The Wemby effect is driving the Spurs action. But they're building a pretty solid roster beyond the Defensive Player of the Year favorite," Egeland said. "I could see them remaining at the top of our liabilities, should they get off to a hot start."
Dallas opened +3500 and is now +4000. The Mavericks of course have Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, and they drafted Duke's Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.
"The Mavericks are an extremely tough team to project. There's even some disagreement among our trading room on their outlook this year," Egeland said. "Flagg is obviously exciting and should have an impact right away. But their success will likely come down to the health of AD and Kyrie."
Flying Under the Radar
Normally, Egeland could point to a team or two as a sleeper, perhaps holding some value as the season begins. This year, though, he's basically tabbing any Eastern Conference team a sleeper in NBA Finals futures.
"Six of our seven worst results are out of the West. Any Eastern Conference team could be looked at as under the radar, if you have a look at our book," Egeland said. "The two that stick out are the Cavs and Magic."
Cleveland is the +800 third choice, after reaching the Eastern Conference semis last season. Orlando is the +1800 eighth choice.
"Cleveland and Orlando could play each other in the Eastern Conference finals, and I wouldn't be surprised at all," Egeland said. "They would currently be our two best results. Look out for the Cavs if Evan Mobley was to take an offensive leap this year.
"And the Magic adding Desmond Bane makes them a legitimate threat in the East."
Opening Odds to win 2025-26 NBA Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champions and opened as the +240 betting choice to repeat as champions. Below are BetMGM's opening odds to win the 2026 NBA Finals.
- Oklahoma City Thunder +240
- New York Knicks +900
- Cleveland Cavaliers +1000
- Indiana Pacers +1300
- Houston Rockets +1300
- Orlando Magic +1400
- Minnesota Timberwolves +1400
- Los Angeles Lakers +1500
- Denver Nuggets +1600
- Boston Celtics +1800
- San Antonio Spurs +1800
- Golden State Warriors +2500
- Philadelphia 76ers +3500
- Dallas Mavericks +3500
- Los Angeles Clippers +3500
- Detroit Pistons +5000
- Milwaukee Bucks +8000
- Miami Heat +10000
- Memphis Grizzlies +15000
- Toronto Raptors +20000
- Atlanta Hawks +25000
- New Orleans Pelicans +25000
- Phoenix Suns +30000
- Sacramento Kings +30000
- Brooklyn Nets +50000
- Chicago Bulls +50000
- Portland Trail Blazers +50000
- Charlotte Hornets +100000
- Washington Wizards +100000
- Utah Jazz +100000
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How To Bet On NBA Futures
Betting on the NBA is widely popular in the United States and the NBA Futures Odds market continues to cater to both novice and professional bettors. The NBA championship is decided very June with a best-of-seven matchup known as the NBA Finals.
This Future Odds market is open year-round and the oddsmakers will adjust their numbers when trades, injuries, free agent signings, or other changes affect the NBA championship odds. The opening odds come out at the end of the current season or just after it ends, with NBA Future Odds posted on all 30 teams in the league.
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Betting on NBA Futures may not always provide big payouts due to the nature of the league, where dynasties are often created by player movement in free agency. However, betting on the right team early can provide better results, as seen in 2019 when the Toronto Raptors won with +1850 odds to win the NBA championship in August 2018. Compare that to the +750 odds the Raptors had in December 2018 and you can see how the NBA Futures odds could offer less value as the season progresses and the player talent is on display.
The NBA championship futures betting market takes in the most volume of wagers and money at sportsbooks. But there are other wagering opportunities in the NBA Futures market, including conference and division winners.
Sportsbooks also offer up NBA futures odds on specific player awards, usually just for Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year. These wagers are a little tricky since those bets and their results are based off subjectivity. Both awards are determined by votes from sports writers and we all know that everybody has an opinion.
Where Can I Bet On The 2025 NBA Championship?
There are several legal sportsbook options in the United States. One sportsbook that we are particularly excited about is Fanatics Sportsbook. Be sure to check out our review and take a look at their NBA betting options!
What Types Of Bets Can I Make ON The NBA?
In addition to betting on how teams will finish in the NBA playoffs, there are multiple angles you can bet on individual games. Check out our NBA Las Vegas odds page for the standard betting odds on each game.
Where Can I Learn How To Bet On Basketball?
To learn more about betting on basketball, check out our basketball betting tutorial.
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