The 2026-27 NBA season kicks off Tuesday, and get this: the New York Knicks, fresh off winning their first title in 53 years, aren’t even the favorites to repeat. Nah, the oddsmakers at DraftKings are already looking West, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs both sitting atop the futures odds at +270. It’s a wild shift, especially with the Knicks making history last year as the eighth consecutive different NBA champion.
The West Is Loaded: Thunder, Spurs Ready To Rumble
Man, if you thought the Western Conference was tough, get ready. The Oklahoma City Thunder, champions in 2025 and runners-up in 2026, are back to reclaim that top spot. They’ve still got two-time reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, and you know he’s gonna be pushing hard. Right there with them are the San Antonio Spurs, who emerged as serious contenders last season, going all the way to the Finals as runners-up in 2026. Their superstar big man, Victor Wembanyama, has clearly made them a force to be reckoned with, and the league is watching what he does next. These two battled all season last year, and they’re set to do it again.
Eastern Shake-Up: LeBron’s New Home, Superstar Migrations, And Hot Rookies
The East is gonna be a whole different beast this year, too. Remember LeBron James? He left the Lakers, heading cross-country to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Talk about a seismic move! And he’s not alone, with former Celtics star Jaylen Brown joining him in Philly. So now you’ve got the defending champion Knicks, who definitely want to fend off that challenge from the 76ers in their own conference, both listed at +900 for the title. But wait, there’s more! Two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is now in Miami. Ja Morant is tearing it up in Portland, Kawhi Leonard is in Toronto, and LaMelo Ball is suiting up for Minnesota. The landscape has completely changed! Plus, don’t sleep on this rookie class, with AJ Dybantsa going to Washington, Darryn Peterson to Utah, Cameron Boozer to Memphis, and Caleb Wilson to Chicago. It’s gonna be fun to see how these new faces integrate.
The season starts Tuesday, and with so many major players in new spots and the odds already stacked against the reigning champs, it’s clear this year is going to be an absolute rollercoaster. Get ready, because the road to the Larry O’Brien Trophy has never looked more unpredictable.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply