Shocking Shifts in 2026 NBA Title Odds: Who’s Unexpectedly Rising to the Top?

The NBA season hasn’t even tipped off yet, and already the buzz is deafening—who’s got the goods to hoist that trophy in 2026? The reigning kings, Oklahoma City Thunder, naturally swagger in with the shortest odds at +245, but hey, does history really favor the repeat champ, or are we already getting ahead of ourselves? Denver Nuggets lurk close behind, poised to shake things up, while the Knicks and Cavaliers aren’t just making noise—they’re climbing, inch by gritty inch. Oddly enough, the usual powerhouses like the Celtics and Pacers are sidelined by brutal injuries, throwing a wrench into what some expected to be a straightforward race. So here’s my question: in a league defined by upsets and fast breaks, can anyone truly predict who’ll be crowned—or will the hardwood throw us a curveball yet again? Buckle up; this season promises more twists than a thriller, and the odds, well, they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

2025 NBA Finals - Game Seven — (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The NBA season hasn’t even started yet, but there are already plenty of predictions about who will win it all in 2025-26.

Unsurprisingly, the reigning champions currently have the best odds.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Oklahoma City Thunder have +245 odds to win the championship again.

They are followed by the Denver Nuggets with +600, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers with +850, and the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors.

Updated top NBA championship odds via @DKSportsbook:

Thunder: +245
Nuggets: +600
Knicks: +850
Cavaliers: +850
Rockets: +1100
Timberwolves: +1400
Lakers: +1400
Warriors: +1800 pic.twitter.com/l7GhHpDmmR

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 10, 2025

Earning a title is never easy, which is why so many people feel that the Thunder have the best shot at doing it again.

They have proven they have what it takes, and now they just have to keep the same momentum and energy in the new season.

The Nuggets should be feared as well, because they have also shown they can win a championship, although it’s been a few years since they were champions.

As for the Knicks, they have been rising through the ranks over the last few years, and many analysts feel they could be closer than ever this year.

It’s fascinating to see teams like the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers aren’t in the mix, but that proves just how devastating the injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are.

And although many fans are excited for what the Cavaliers and Rockets can do, they obviously aren’t favorites, although they clearly shouldn’t be counted out.

The Thunder may be the favorites right now, but the NBA season is always unpredictable and wild with many twists and turns.

No one knows what the future holds and which team will be sitting at the top of this list in just a few months.

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