Four Teams Open As 2022–23 NBA Championship Co-Favorites at DraftKings

The Golden State Warriors wrapped up their fourth title in nine seasons on Thursday night, and this one was the most improbable for Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Co.

The natural question as they head off for a summer of celebration: Can the Warriors do it again in 2022-23?

Golden State has opened as co-favorites to claim next year’s championship, although there are three other teams with the exact same odds, according to the opening lines put out by DraftKings.

Here is a look at the 2022-23 NBA championship odds:

Golden State Warriors (+600): The Warriors proved their dynasty is not over by finishing off the Boston Celtics in Game 6. Even though Curry, Green and Thompson are getting older, they are still an elite trio. The Warriors were buoyed by Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole during this playoff run, and James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga are a pair of youngsters that could contribute heavily next year. It makes sense that they are among the favorites to win next year’s championship.

Brooklyn Nets (+600): The 2021-22 season was an abject disaster for Brooklyn. James Harden was traded midseason for Ben Simmons, and Simmons never ended up playing for the Nets due to injury. There are contract considerations to work out, but it’s likely that Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Simmons will be the headlining trio of this team. While the success never came last year, that is still some serious star power, and as such, the oddsmakers have made Brooklyn the co-favorites.

Boston Celtics (+600): The Celtics looked better than the Warriors at times during the NBA Finals, but ended up falling short. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have proven to be an elite duo, and Boston has a great defense, but another scorer seems needed. Boston went on a terrific run from February on this season, and if the Celtics can pick up where they left off, they should be right in the mix once again.

Los Angeles Clippers (+600): The Clippers will welcome back Kawhi Leonard next season from a torn ACL, which immediately vaults Los Angeles to contender status. DraftKings is bullish on Los Angeles’ chances, as BetMGM and FanDuel have them a notch below the favorites. The Clippers have yet to live up to the hype after adding Leonard but 2022-23 is a new opportunity to do so.

Milwaukee Bucks (+750): The Bucks won the 2020-21 title and had a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston without an injured Khris Middleton. However, the oddsmakers have them slightly behind the four favorites. Giannis Antetokoumnpo remains one of the best players in the league and Milwaukee should be in the conversation again.

Phoenix Suns (+900): The Suns finished with the best regular season record in the NBA and entered the playoffs as championship favorites, but stunningly lost to the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals. Devin Booker and Chris Paul will return in 2022-23, but there are serious questions about whether or not Deandre Ayton will still be on the team. The oddsmakers may be hedging a bit here with the increasing likelihood that Ayton departs, which would be a blow to Phoenix’s title chances.

Philadelphia 76ers (+1400): James Harden is widely expected to be back in Philly next season, and his presence alongside Joel Embiid puts the 76ers among the main title contenders. However, the oddsmakers need to see more from this team as they are a pretty big step behind the top teams in the Eastern Conference. It’s a big offseason in Philadelphia to remake the team around the Big Two of Embiid and Harden.

Memphis Grizzlies (+1400): The Grizzlies were one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this year, finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Memphis has a young superstar in Ja Morant and a solid group around him, although oddsmakers still question if this team is truly among the elite in the NBA. The Grizzlies must show they can hang with the other contenders in 2022-23.

Miami Heat (+1400): The Heat finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and advanced to the East Finals before losing to Boston in seven games. Jimmy Butler is one of the better players in the league and Miami has other standouts, but the star power isn’t as strong as some of the teams ahead of them.

Dallas Mavericks (+1500): Luka Doncic is the early favorite to win league MVP next season, and the Mavs are coming off a season in which they made it to the Western Conference Finals. However, he does need more help, as often Doncic was asked to shoulder too much of the load. If the Mavericks can find more firepower this offseason, the odds could improve before play begins.

Denver Nuggets (+1500): Like Dallas, the Nuggets have a perennial MVP candidate in Nikola Jokic. However, Denver has been unable to break through and be a legitimate contender in recent seasons, and will need others to have career years to boost themselves into the upper echelon.

Los Angeles Lakers (+2000): The Lakers have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but the roster around them last season was extremely poorly constructed, and the team was never competitive. LeBron is entering the twilight of his career, and it’s hard to know if he can put a team on his back like in his prime. Los Angeles needs to change the personnel this offseason and then hope that the LeBron-Davis duo can lead the way to a resurgent 2022-23 campaign.

The rest of the title odds:

Utah Jazz +4000

New Orleans Pelicans +4000

Toronto Raptors +5500

Minnesota Timberwolves +5500

Chicago Bulls +5500

Atlanta Hawks +8000

Portland Trail Blazers +10000

Cleveland Cavaliers +10000

Charlotte Hornets +10000

New York Knicks +20000

Washington Wizards +30000

San Antonio Spurs +30000

Indiana Pacers +50000

Detroit Pistons +70000

Sacramento Kings +80000

Oklahoma City Thunder +100000

Orlando Magic +200000

Houston Rockets +200000