The NBA preseason has officially begun, and with it, the regular season is just around the corner. Unlike previous years, this season features about 7–8 teams with legitimate championship potential. Recently, NBC Sports released its prediction for the upcoming season’s championship odds based on each team’s strength. Surprisingly, even strong teams like the Clippers didn’t make the list. Let’s take a look at the rankings and see whether these predictions make sense.
8th — Warriors (+1800)
It’s understandable that the Warriors aren’t highly favored. Their core players are aging, and although new signing Al Horford showed great impact in his preseason debut, his age means he’s unlikely to play back-to-backs. His durability during the playoffs—when fatigue peaks—is also uncertain. Meanwhile, Butler, Curry, and Draymond Green are all nearing the end of their careers. The team lacks a young player who can truly shoulder responsibility—Kuminga still isn’t quite there yet.
7th — Lakers (+1400)
The Lakers acquired Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart during the offseason, but Ayton hasn’t impressed in his first two preseason games, and Jake LaRavia hasn’t met expectations either. Their young players have underperformed as well. The team will continue to rely heavily on its “Big Three,” which should ensure a solid regular-season record. However, in the playoffs, that trio is likely to be targeted defensively—LeBron’s stamina is declining, and both Doncic and Reaves are defensive liabilities who will be singled out by opponents.
6th — Timberwolves (+1300)
The Timberwolves have reached the Conference Finals for two straight years, but their flaws are evident. Their bench scoring has regressed, and losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker weakened their wing depth. Relying on young players like Shannon and Dillingham to fill that gap might not be realistic. On the positive side, Anthony Edwards has been training hard this offseason and is expected to make a big leap. With solid contributors like Randle, Reid, and Gobert, the Wolves should remain a Conference Finals-caliber team. But for them to contend for a title, Edwards must become a true superstar.
5th — Rockets (+1000)
The Rockets made a massive leap this offseason by acquiring Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith, instantly transforming into a title contender. However, Durant’s luck hasn’t been great—Fred VanVleet got injured and is likely out for the season, leaving the team without a true point guard. Unless they trade for a capable floor general, Houston will remain a tough Western opponent but not a real championship threat. Without someone to organize the offense in the playoffs, winning it all would be nearly impossible. Still, this could be a valuable developmental season for Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.
4th — Knicks (+850)
The Knicks had an excellent offseason. Many expected them to be in the top three, as they addressed their two biggest weaknesses. Previously, Josh Hart’s shooting was a liability in the starting lineup—but now Guerschon Yabusele can take his place. Their bench was also upgraded with the additions of two former Sixth Men of the Year—Malcolm Brogdon and Jordan Clarkson. Brogdon excels in structured play and game control, while Clarkson thrives in chaos and can take over games. With this balance of stability and explosiveness, the Knicks’ roster looks stacked.
3rd — Cavaliers (+800)
The Cavaliers’ strengths and weaknesses are clear. Their biggest asset is depth—they have four All-Star-caliber players, and both Darius Garland and Evan Mobley continue to improve. Their main flaw is the size of their backcourt; both guards are just 6'1", making them easy defensive targets. Still, with few elite teams in the East, that issue may not hurt them early. But once they reach the Conference or NBA Finals, that mismatch could be costly. If they fail to make a deep run this season, a roster shake-up seems inevitable.
2nd — Nuggets (+650)
The Nuggets added four new players this offseason. While they struggled in their first preseason game, their latest performance showed promise, with the newcomers contributing well. If they can maintain this form, Denver should be even stronger than last season. The Nuggets were the Thunder’s toughest opponent last year—had fatigue not caught up to them, they might’ve eliminated OKC. Now, with improved bench scoring thanks to Jonas Valančiūnas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown, they’re poised for another deep run—if they stay healthy.
1st — Thunder (+245)
As the defending champions, the Thunder rightfully sit atop the list. Last season proved that their roster is championship-worthy, and their young core—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren—has yet to hit its peak. After gaining Finals experience, they’re bound to improve even further. Since the entire core remains intact, their chemistry should be even better this year. Expect the Thunder to pace themselves during the regular season, saving energy for another strong playoff push.
