Featured Columnist IVJune 18, 2024
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
The 2023-24 season is over, and much will change before the 2024-25 season rolls around in October. There’s still the NBA draft, free agency, the possibility of blockbuster trades, etc.
But that doesn’t mean the early title odds for next season haven’t already started rolling in.
According to FanDuel SportsBook, the Boston Celtics (+300) are the favorites to defend their championship. Behind them atop the title odds come the Denver Nuggets (+750), Minnesota Timberwolves (+850), Dallas Mavericks (+900), the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder (both +1000) and the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks (both +1600).
Other notable teams include the Los Angeles Clippers (+2800), the Phoenix Suns (+3000), the Golden State Warriors (+3500) and of course the Lakers (+4000). Thirteen teams have better title odds than the Lakers, as bookmakers clearly seem to believe their championship window is firmly closed.
Many of the odds make sense. Teams like the Celtics, Nuggets, Wolves, Mavericks, Bucks and Thunder all have core groups of stars unlikely to be broken up. The Sixers and Knicks, meanwhile, are a good offseason away from entering the conversation as top contenders.
There’s more uncertainty surrounding the other teams mentioned.
Will Paul George and James Harden be back for the Clippers? Can the Suns add enough quality depth around the expensive trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and the disappointing Bradley Beal? Will Klay Thompson move on in free agency and how will the aging Warriors replace him? And then there’s the perpetually dysfunctional Lakers, who are still trying to find the right roster balance around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
A lot will be answered this summer. Injuries during a season always seem to play a huge factor in deciding the champion. But if you’re feeling frisky, early odds are out.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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