The Oklahoma City Thunder just won the 2024-25 NBA Finals behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who won the regular season MVP and NBA Finals MVP.
Typically, when a team wins the NBA Finals, players who are nearing the end of their contracts often move to different teams. However, the Thunder have every single player on the team locked up for next year, along with multiple first-round draft picks in the upcoming draft.
Therefore, the Thunder are expected to be just as good next year. They’ll have a chance at winning the NBA Finals with their core and additional depth from the NBA Draft.
Ultimately, the Thunder are favorites, but what about the other teams? Let’s break down the futures odds for next year’s NBA Championship and see where the value is heading into next season.
NBA 2025 Championship Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder (+220)
There might be some changes to the Thunder roster in 2025-26. However, no player will be a free agent from their current team. They’ll also have multiple draft picks and have some money to spend.
They did this without No. 12 overall pick Nikola Topic, who was recovering from an ACL injury. Ajay Mitchell is another player who can develop and earn minutes next season for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ultimately, no rebuild will be required. The Thunder can make moves to get even better. However, they must be cautious about making too many moves. This team is already great, so adding talent that complements the team is the way to go.
That said, all of the other NBA teams will try to build contending teams that can match Oklahoma City. There will be some surprise teams and others that play over expectations, like the Pacers did last year. Nothing’s set in stone, but the Thunder will confidently be in the top three of the Western Conference next year.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+800)
The Cleveland Cavaliers still have their core four under contract. Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen should return unless there’s a trade that the Cavaliers roll with.
Unfortunately, Ty Jerome, an X-Factor for the Cavaliers, will be a free agent, potentially making it hard for the Cavaliers to sign him. He was as good as T.J. McConnell was for the Pacers. Losing him would hurt the Cavaliers’ depth. But overall, the starting lineup will likely be intact. On paper, they’re the best team in the East one day after the NBA Finals ended.
New York Knicks (+900)
The Knicks will have to make some changes this season. After firing head coach Tim Thibodeau, New York doesn’t currently have a head coach employed.
We don’t know which direction the Knicks are headed under their new head coach. That’s a mystery for now. However, it appears that the Knicks will ultimately retain their core players.
The Knicks want to shake things up, but there aren’t many players around the league who will be traded in blockbuster deals moving forward.
Kevin Durant was already traded to the Rockets, and Giannis Antetokounmpo likely won’t even be traded. Therefore, the Knicks might hold on to their pieces and try to build depth to contend next year.
The Knicks, under a new coach, could be more rested and fatigue less down the stretch. They’ll be a tough out in 2025-26.
Houston Rockets (+900)
Just because Kevin Durant was traded to the Rockets doesn’t mean the Rockets should be +900.
Let’s not forget the fact that the Rockets traded away Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. While Houston retained many assets for the future, the Rockets still lack sufficient resources for Kevin Durant to win a championship.
Durant couldn’t even make the play-in with Devin Booker last year. In addition, he’s aging. He’s starting to get old. This year’s NBA playoffs showcased many young athletes and their considerable potential.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over. Tyrese Haliburton was insane. Anthony Edwards looked great, and Jalen Brunson was a monster. It’s a young man’s league now. Don’t bother with the Rockets.
Dallas Mavericks (+3200)
We can’t count out the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks will eventually have Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II as their starting lineup. We’ll have to wait until everyone is healthy, which is already a long shot. But at +3200, this lineup is undoubtedly deserving of a look.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks didn’t actually select Flagg with the No. 1 pick yet. But it’s 99.9% likely they will on Wednesday.
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
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