NBA · 1 hour ago

Top 10 NBA Championship Contenders for 2026-27 Season

John Canady

Host · Writer

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10) Indiana Pacers
BetMGM Opening Odds: +3000 | BetMGM Current Odds: +3300

Indiana is expected to get Tyrese Haliburton back, and Pascal Siakam gives them the kind of playoff experience they’ve needed. Not to mention, the arrival of Ivica Zubac gives them the true frontcourt presence they've been searching for. The Pacers could put themselves right back in the mix next season.
1) Oklahoma City Thunder
BetMGM Opening Odds: +260 | BetMGM Current Odds: +250

Oklahoma City, sitting at the top, feels less like a surprise and more like the new normal. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned them into a problem every night, and Chet Holmgren gives them a defensive backbone most contenders would love to steal. Even at this price, it still feels like the Thunder haven’t fully hit their ceiling yet.
2) San Antonio Spurs
BetMGM Opening Odds: +270 | BetMGM Current Odds: +270

The Spurs are officially in the top tier of contenders. Victor Wembanyama alone changes how teams play them, but what’s getting harder to ignore is how quickly the roster around him is catching up. San Antonio doesn’t feel like a future threat anymore — it feels like a current one that’s ready to contend.
3) Boston Celtics
BetMGM Opening Odds: +700 | BetMGM Current Odds: +700

The Celtics again come in the top three as they look ahead to next season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been through every version of the contender conversation, and nothing about that core suggests they’re going away. The price is a little lower than peak Celtics hype, but anyone writing them off could soon receive a wake-up call, especially if they truly are in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
4) New York Knicks
BetMGM Opening Odds: +700 | BetMGM Current Odds: +700

The Knicks' ranking this low after a championship win feels cruel, but being in the top five is still telling. Jalen Brunson has changed the entire temperature of the franchise, and Karl-Anthony Towns gives them the kind of punch that helped them secure the Larry O'Brien trophy this season. New York could be looking to go back-to-back next season.
5) Denver Nuggets
BetMGM Opening Odds: +2000 | BetMGM Current Odds: +2000

The number feels disrespectful until you remember how quickly the league moves on. Nikola Jokić keeps them in every conversation by himself, but Denver’s supporting cast doesn’t draw the same fear it used to. Still, nobody really wants to see them in a seven-game series, especially if they can make upgrades this offseason.
6) Los Angeles Lakers
BetMGM Opening Odds: +2500 | BetMGM Current Odds: +2500

The Lakers will always be in the mix just because of who they are and who they have. Assuming LeBron James re-signs this offseason and Rob Pelinka can retool the roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, LA should be back in the mix next season.
7) Minnesota Timberwolves
BetMGM Opening Odds: +700 | BetMGM Current Odds: +700

Minnesota feels like a team that stopped sneaking up on people and started carrying expectations. Anthony Edwards has become the guy you trust late in games, and the defense behind Rudy Gobert still travels in the playoffs. The Timberwolves have to bolster their roster this offseason, but it's clear Edwards is the guy to build around.
8) Cleveland Cavaliers
BetMGM Opening Odds: +3300 | BetMGM Current Odds: +3300

Cleveland is stuck in that in-between spot where the roster looks good, but not quite scary enough. Donovan Mitchell gives them real shot-making punch, and Evan Mobley changes games on defense, but the consistency isn’t fully there yet. They’re close, but still haven't fully made it over the hump.
9) Detroit Pistons
BetMGM Opening Odds: +3300 | BetMGM Current Odds: +3300

Detroit showing up on this list at all says something about where they’re headed. Cade Cunningham has steadied into a true franchise piece, and the young core around him finally looks like it’s starting to make sense. They’re not a finished product, but they’re clearly on the rise.
10) Indiana Pacers
BetMGM Opening Odds: +3000 | BetMGM Current Odds: +3300

Indiana is expected to get Tyrese Haliburton back, and Pascal Siakam gives them the kind of playoff experience they’ve needed. Not to mention, the arrival of Ivica Zubac gives them the true frontcourt presence they've been searching for. The Pacers could put themselves right back in the mix next season.
1) Oklahoma City Thunder
BetMGM Opening Odds: +260 | BetMGM Current Odds: +250

Oklahoma City, sitting at the top, feels less like a surprise and more like the new normal. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has turned them into a problem every night, and Chet Holmgren gives them a defensive backbone most contenders would love to steal. Even at this price, it still feels like the Thunder haven’t fully hit their ceiling yet.

undefined Game Odds

Jun 16 6:40 PM

SpreadMoneyTotal

MIA

+1.5

+146

O 8

PHI

-1.5

-174

U 8

Jun 16 6:45 PM

SpreadMoneyTotal

KC

+1.5

+110

O 8.5

WSH

-1.5

-130

U 8.5

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