The start of the NBA season is officially upon us, and that means it’s time to start thinking about who will win the championship this year.
The Boston Celtics are the current betting favorites as they look to repeat in the Eastern Conference, but with the Knicks and 76ers loading up on talent, their path becomes much more difficult.
Can a team from the Western Conference emerge?
In this article, I’ll give you my pick to win the NBA Championship this year and two mid-priced teams that I believe could offer value in the market. Let’s dive in.
Oklahoma City Thunder (+650, FanDuel)
After another masterful offseason by Sam Presti, the Oklahoma City Thunder are my preseason prediction to win the NBA Championship.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander elevated to MVP-level status last season, averaging more 30 points per game and earning an All-NBA First-Team spot. He’s just entering the prime of his career at 26.
The Thunder should also see a breakthrough season from third-year forward, who ranks second in odds for the Most Improved Player Award and is on the verge of superstardom.
Similarly, Chet Holmgren will only continue to improve in his second season.
That Big 3 of elite young talent will be flanked by two vital veteran acquisitions, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Caruso is a defensive pest, and next to Luguentz Dort, the Thunder arguably have the best pair of guard defenders in the NBA.
He also hit more than 40% on catch-and-shoot 3s last season, making him a significant upgrade over Josh Giddey, who was constantly left open from deep in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Hartenstein gives the team fascinating lineup versatility.
He provides elite offensive rebounding and playmaking for a big man, and with Holmgren’s ability to stretch the floor, the Thunder can easily play lineups with two big men.
Finally, the Thunder have elite depth, including 3-point marksmen Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, who were resigned to team-friendly extensions this offseason. Second-year guard Cason Wallace also showed remarkable defensive acuity for a rookie last season.
The Thunder are one of the league’s youngest teams with a cadre of future draft ammo, but I believe this team is ready to compete for a championship with a bounty of young talent that fits together seamlessly.
Denver Nuggets (+1100, BetMGM)
Are we prematurely writing off the Nuggets?
The loss of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this offseason certainly hurts for a win-now roster, as he was the team’s best guard defender and a lethal 3-point shooter.
However, I believe the drop-off to Christian Braun is being somewhat overstated after he made a solid impact in limited minutes.
Second-year guard Julian Strawther has had an excellent preseason and is ready to step into a more significant role.
More importantly, All-World center Nikola Jokic makes everyone around him better.
For my money, Jokic remains the best player in the NBA, and his running mate Jamal Murray should be healthier this season after nagging injuries hampered his play in the postseason.
Denver’s depth is limited, and the roster is undoubtedly top-heavy, but we can never fully count Jokic out of postseason contention.
Milwaukee Bucks (+1600, Caesars)
The Bucks have one of the oldest rosters in the NBA, and their top three stars haven’t been healthy for a playoff series since the 2021 NBA Finals.
However, there are reasons to believe this team has an upside. Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off one of his finest seasons with yet another First-Team All-NBA nomination.
At the same time, Damian Lillard could be poised for a bounce-back season after struggling in his first year in Milwaukee.
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Doc Rivers never got a fair shake with this team after taking over midseason, and Giannis and Dame only played five games with Khris Middleton following the All-Star break.
The additions of Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Delon Wright help infuse shooting and defense into the rotation.
The top of the Eastern Conference is loaded after the Knicks landed Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the 76ers added Paul George, but the Bucks shouldn’t be entirely written off this season.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Jacob Wayne handicaps college football and the NFL for the New York Post. He’s up 84.5 units across the two sports with a 6.27% ROI.
