In 2024–2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder were declared NBA champions after finishing the season with a strong run in the playoffs and securing their position as one of the top basketball teams.
The Thunder are atop the NBA finals odds board once more as the 2026 season gets underway, but they are not alone.
NBA Championship Futures
Team
Price
Winnings ($10)
Oklahoma City Thunder
+240
$34.00
Denver Nuggets
+700
$80.00
Cleveland Cavaliers
+750
$85.00
New York Knicks
+900
$100.00
Houston Rockers
+1200
$130.00
NBA Finals Favorite Odds 2026Oklahoma City Thunder (+240)
As the reigning NBA champions, the Thunder enter the 2026 season with strong momentum and house-favorite status. Their expected likelihood of winning the title again is a strong 26.7%, according to their odds from BetMGM.
Why they are unique: With an incredible 68–14 record and overwhelming offensive and defensive analytics, OKC won the league last season under the leadership of MVP-caliber Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Key strength: Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are two budding two-way stars on an upward trajectory. They also have incredible depth with Isiah Hartenstein, Lugentz Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace rounding out the team. Their incredible pesky defense, which figures to be an all-time great defense in NBA history, speeds opponents up and forces them into turnovers and mistakes.
Denver Nuggets (+700)
Denver leapfrogged the futures leaderboard after a sharp offseason, now sitting among BetMGM’s closest challengers.
What changed: A trade for defensive wing Cam Johnson, plus additions like Tim Hardaway Jr., have improved both depth and perimeter defense, key to complementing Nikola Jokić’s MVP-caliber offensive engine.
Upside: Strong experience and cohesion with playoff-tested rotation pieces make them a credible threat.
Warning: Going into a deep playoff run, there are still some unanswered issues regarding their lack of young athletic players and general depth.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+750)
Cleveland now ranks among the top contenders with improved futures odds out of BetMGM—tied with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks—as a key player in the title chase.
Why they’re rising: A mix of developing talent and steady coaching may give them enough to surprise armored favorites.
Possible edge: Emerging stars blossoming in big moments could yield a high return for early bettors.
Watch out: Consistency remains crucial, especially in handling high-pressure playoff growth.
New York Knicks (+900)
Rounding out the favorites, the Knicks also sit near the top of the futures list at BetMGM.
Path forward: Solid defense, playoff grit, and strong coaching have kept them competitive season after season. New coach Mike Brown is expected to work his wonders on a talented squad of players that includes All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Opportunity: A balanced roster and defensive foundation could carry them deeper than expected.
Houston Rockets (+1200)
After making the audacious purchase of Kevin Durant, Houston went from being a long shot to being a real contender.
The impact: Durant brings unmatched championship pedigree and scoring ability to a youthful core featuring Alperen Sengün and Amen Thompson.
Team makeup: A blend of veteran leadership and young exuberance creates high upside.
Risk factor: Chemistry and cohesion still need time to gel around Durant—a critical factor when betting futures.
Betting on NBA Futures in 2026
Instead of placing bets on specific games, NBA futures betting lets you place bets on results that will be determined later in the season. These markets, ranging from NBA Championship odds to MVP honors and club win totals, are available all year long at the majority of major sportsbooks. These markets allow you to put your money where your mouth is ahead of time, sometimes at more advantageous pricing.
How to Place an NBA Futures BetVisit your preferred sportsbook; make sure it has a state license and has competitive NBA futures rates.Select the NBA tab, which is often located in the sports menu on the left-hand side or at the top of the site.Locate the “Futures” section—on apps, this may be under “More Markets” or “Outrights.”Select your market – Choose from NBA Championship odds, MVP odds, Rookie of the Year, or others.Pick your selection—Click on the team or player you want to back.Enter your stake—decide how much to wager and review your potential payout.Place your bet—Confirm and track your futures bet in the “My Bets” or “Active Bets” section.Popular NBA Futures Markets
NBA Future Market
Current Favorite
Odds
MVP Odds
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
+300
Rookie of the Year
Cooper Flagg
+150
Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama
+300
Sixth Man of the Year
Naz Reid
+500
Coach of the Year
Mark Daigneault
+400
Eastern Conference Winner
New York Knicks
+200
Western Conference Winner
Oklahoma City Thunder
+150
Most Improved Player
Jalen Williams
+900
Team Win Totals (Over/Under)
Oklahoma City Thunder (O/U 64.5 wins)
+150
Note: Odds are examples and sourced from BetMGM and are subject to change over time.