NBA Futures: Thunder remain championship favorites ahead of Nuggets, Rockets

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder continue to play the best ball in the league. William Purnell/Getty Images

ESPN Sports Betting

Dec 10, 2025, 06:29 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the heavy favorites to repeat as NBA champions thanks in part to a scorching 23-1 start to the 2025-26 season.

Behind the Thunder are Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets at +600. The Nuggets have moved out to a 17-6 record but continue to be without Aaron Gordon (hamstring), who is not expected to return before Christmas. Houston has the next shortest odds at 10-1.

The New York Knicks represent the team with the best odds in the Eastern Conference at 13-1, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-1) and the Detroit Pistons (20-1).

Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are co-favorites for MVP (+160), while Luka Doncic (+270) is the only other player with shorter than 50-1 odds, thanks to injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama.

Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are as of publication.