NBA 2026/2027 Outright Bets

The new NBA season begins with plenty of intrigue. The Western Conference has turned into a genuine battle for everyone except two superteams, while reigning champions the New York Knicks are determined to prove that last year's success was no fluke. Below are the championship odds and our detailed breakdown of the leading title contenders.

NBA 2026/2027 Outright Odds

Western Conference

Eastern Conference

Main Favorites to Win the 2026/2027 NBA Title

San Antonio Spurs: Alien Talent and the Perfect Balance

Why They Are the No. 1 Favorites

The main reason is Victor Wembanyama. During the offseason, he signed a five-year, $252 million contract, turning down the supermax in order to preserve the club's flexibility. That move allowed the Spurs to keep almost all of the roster that finished as runners-up last season. Wemby received 77% of the votes in the league's general manager survey as the leading MVP favorite, while 50% of club executives named San Antonio as their top championship pick.

Key Arguments in Favor of the Texans

• The best defensive foundation. Wembanyama is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and has already become the first unanimous winner of the award. His presence in the paint changes the geometry of the floor for every opponent.
• Deep bench. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, both 20, are not merely raw prospects but players capable of producing right now.
• In last year's Finals, the Spurs lost to the Knicks in five games, but they held a double-digit lead in every one of them. That defeat should be a powerful source of motivation.
• Ideal roster age. San Antonio have the widest championship window. Johnson's players do not need to force the timeline, which should help them stay composed in the playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder: A Proven Machine with One Weakness

Why the Thunder Cannot Be Written Off

Oklahoma were the best regular-season team and kept their core intact. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the leading MVP contenders, while a defense built around Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein allowed opponents to score nine fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average last season, one of the best marks in 30 years.

Main Risks for the 2025 Champions

• Financial pressure. During the summer, the club had to part ways with Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to avoid severe tax restrictions. The bench is thinner, although Cason Wallace and newcomers Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz appear ready for rotation roles.
• The pursuer syndrome. After a painful seven-game Western Conference Finals loss to the Spurs, Oklahoma face a different psychological challenge. They are now viewed as a wounded beast rather than an unstoppable monster.

Even so, analysts in the US media give the Thunder the highest championship probability at 28.4%, compared with 22.3% for the Spurs. The clash between these two powerful systems is the central storyline of the season.

New York Knicks: Championship Mentality vs Offseason Traps

Why the Champions Remain in the Top Three

Knicks are the only team that has already proved it can win in June. Last year's title run, their first since 1973, was built on character and the clutch play of leader Jalen Brunson. We believe New York have the best chance of reaching the Finals from the East, even though competition from Miami, Philadelphia and probably Detroit will be intense.

What Could Prevent a Repeat

• The contract war. The front office let Mitchell Robinson leave for Boston while entering prolonged negotiations with three important rotation players. That creates unnecessary noise around the team.
• Improved rivals. Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Indiana brought Tyrese Haliburton back, and Miami signed Giannis Antetokounmpo. The East has become much stronger, and Brown's team will have to defend the title in a far more competitive environment.

At the same time, those circumstances may paradoxically remove some pressure and turn the reigning champions into the most dangerous dark horse in the league.

Scores24 NBA Outright Bets

San Antonio Spurs to Win the Championship

Odds: 3.70

If we have to choose one outright championship bet, our editorial team is backing the San Antonio Spurs. They have:

• the most valuable player in the league;
• a young roster that has already been hardened by an NBA Finals run;
• financial flexibility that the Thunder and Knicks do not have, meaning they can strengthen an already excellent roster during the season.

Oklahoma should remain close, but the loss of depth because of tax pressure and the psychological burden make them slightly more vulnerable. The Knicks cannot be dismissed, but repeating as NBA champions is historically difficult in the modern era, with Golden State in 2017/18 the most recent team to do so.

You can follow results, current data and odds in our National Basketball Association section.

Odds are shown as of the publication date and may vary depending on the bookmaker.