Current 2022-2023 NBA Championship Odds
| Team |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOS | +600 | +350 | +340 | +340 | +300 |
| BKN | +700 | +2200 | +2000 | +1800 | +2200 |
| GS | +700 | +1200 | +1100 | +1200 | +1300 |
| LAC | +700 | +1200 | +1100 | +800 | +1400 |
| MIL | +800 | +500 | +600 | +650 | +450 |
| PHO | +1000 | +1800 | +1800 | +1800 | +1900 |
| PHI | +1500 | +900 | +900 | +1000 | |
| LAL | +1800 | +5000 | +4000 | +4000 | +5000 |
| DEN | +2000 | +700 | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| MIA | +2000 | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| MEM | +2400 | +1000 | +1000 | +1100 | +1200 |
| DAL | +2700 | +1400 | +1400 | +1500 | +1500 |
| CLE | +3300 | +2000 | +1800 | +2200 | +2000 |
| MIN | +3300 | +20000 | +12500 | +20000 | +21000 |
| NO | +3500 | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 | +2700 |
| TOR | +4500 | +15000 | +12500 | +15000 | +13000 |
| ATL | +5000 | +12500 | +10000 | +6500 | +13000 |
| CHI | +6500 | +20000 | +30000 | +35000 | +20000 |
| POR | +8000 | +15000 | +12500 | +15000 | +14000 |
| NY | +15000 | +20000 | +15000 | +25000 | +20000 |
Tracking the 2022-23 NBA Championship Odds
The 2021-2022 NBA season is in the books, with the Golden State Warriors taking out the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to claim the fourth championship of the Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr eras. With the Warriors getting back to the top of the mountain in the NBA, it is time for the focus to turn to next season’s action. And while there are many of the same familiar suspects at the top of the list of favorites going into the 2022-2023 season, there are a number of contenders who could climb the list of NBA championship odds quickly next year.
NBA Championship Favorites
There is a pack of six or so teams that lead the list of NBA championship odds heading into the NBA Draft and free agency seasons. Those teams are the only clubs inside of +1000 odds to win the championship prior to the point where roster moves are going to be made. They are the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns.
The Warriors and Celtics are among the favorites to win the title next season by default, having just competed for it during the most recent NBA Finals. However, there are questions as to whether the Celtics can get back to this point again next season. Milwaukee and Phoenix will be expected to come back strong next season, especially the Bucks given that Khris Middleton should be healthy for the playoff run this time around.
The NBA championship odds for the Clippers and Nets are a little less based on recent performance and more on projected performance. Los Angeles should have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George back together this coming season. And Brooklyn is expecting to at least have Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons on one roster together, even if Kyrie Irving does not stay put. Either way, these will be two dangerous teams that contenders need to worry about.
NBA Championship Dark Horses
Outside of the top-six teams in the list of NBA championship odds, there is a second group of teams with odds between +1000 and +2500 to win the title. These teams will have a tougher time getting deep into the playoffs than the favorites listed above. They may even need to improve their rosters to get there. But these teams all have a chance to be among the last teams standing in the 2022-2023 NBA season.
The Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers both have MVP candidates leading them going into the 2022-2023 season. Nikola Jokic beat Joel Embiid for the award last season in a tightly contested race. But both of these players will need their supporting casts to step up this season if they are going to improve their NBA championship odds in a meaningful way.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks were two of the most enjoyable watches in the NBA last season, each led by a young star in Ja Morant and Luka Doncic. There is clearly a strong foundation with each of these rosters, even if they appear to need another piece to get over the top in the Western Conference. These teams may be worth looking at taking early in the summer, as they could make aggressive moves that boost their odds to win it all.
The final two teams in this group are two teams with plenty of championship experience: the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. Miami was a shot away from making the NBA Finals this past year, though their role players around Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler could use some upgrading. Los Angeles, meanwhile, was not a playoff team last season, and needs help around LeBron James. A healthy Anthony Davis would be a nice start.
NBA Championship Longshots
After the 12 teams mentioned above, every other team in the NBA has NBA championship odds of +3000 or higher. Teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Toronto Raptors could be appealing selections out of this group. But all of those teams have major flaws that could hurt them in a league that lacks parity.
When it comes to betting NBA longshots, bettors should be careful. Asking yourself whether a team actually has a chance to win a title is an exercise worth performing before laying down these bets. But with huge payouts possible from these longshots, their appeal is certainly understandable.
