Favorites & Frontrunners: How NBA Championship Odds Are Already Shifting for 2025-26
November 13th, 2025
The new NBA season has only just begun, but early results and offseason moves are already changing how analysts and oddsmakers view the 2025–26 championship race. Preseason favorites are being tested, new contenders are emerging, and the market is quickly adjusting
to roster developments, injuries, and player performances. This overview looks at how several key teams have seen their title odds shift since the start of the season and what those changes suggest about the road ahead.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder started the season as the favorite to win another championship at +240, and their strong play has already improved those lines to +210 according to current FanDuel NBA odds. The core trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet
Holmgren continues to anchor one of the league’s most complete teams.
While other teams made big roster changes, the Thunder kept their group together. That stability has helped them look sharp early, with solid chemistry and balanced play across the lineup. They’ve shown that their success last season was no fluke.
Oklahoma City’s depth and teamwork make them the standard everyone else is chasing right now. If they stay healthy and focused, the Thunder have a real chance to repeat as champions.
San Antonio Spurs
If one storyline has captivated fans early, it’s Victor Wembanyama’s evolution. The 21-year-old phenom has taken a physical and mental leap, propelling the San Antonio Spurs from long shot status (+6500) to legitimate dark horse (+3000 to +3500).
The Spurs’ 2025–26 start has been electric, not only because of Wembanyama’s nightly highlight reel, but because the team is learning to win around him. The improved guard play and system cohesion are turning the Spurs’ rebuild into something far more immediate. They may not be ready to dethrone Oklahoma City, but they’re suddenly a team no contender wants to see in a seven-game series.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets made one of the biggest moves of the offseason by trading for Kevin Durant. The addition immediately raised their profile in the Western Conference, but the early results have been mixed. Their title odds have slipped from +750 to around +1400–1500,
showing that success may take time.
Durant gives Houston a proven scorer and leader, joining a young group that includes Tari Eason, Alperen Şengün, and Amen Thompson. The offense has shown flashes of high potential, with plenty of spacing and creativity. When everything clicks, the Rockets look like
a team that can compete with anyone.
The challenge is consistency. Houston still needs to tighten up defensively and find the right balance between experience and youth. If Durant stays healthy and the group builds chemistry, the Rockets could become a dangerous playoff team by midseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as one of the East’s top-tier teams, even as injuries threaten to derail their rhythm. With Darius Garland and Max Strus sidelined, Cleveland’s odds have surprisingly improved from +900 to +650–750. That’s a testament to both market confidence and the squad’s ability to win ugly.
The Cavs’ core, led by Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, remains elite defensively and increasingly confident in crunch time. If the team can weather its injury storm, it could be the East’s most balanced contender by spring.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have taken advantage of a shifting Eastern Conference landscape. Injuries to key players on rival teams have opened the door, and New York has positioned itself well. Their title odds have moved slightly from +750 to around +850–1200, but they
remain one of the most stable teams in the East.
Jalen Brunson continues to lead with strong play, and Karl-Anthony Towns is fitting in seamlessly after his trade from the Timberwolves. The Knicks’ offseason additions have added depth and balance, giving them more reliable scoring and defense off the bench. The roster looks more complete than it has in years.
If the Knicks can stay healthy and keep up their current pace, they have a strong chance to secure a top playoff seed. They may not be the flashiest team in the East, but their structure and discipline make them a serious contender.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a solid start at 5–3. The Lakers have managed victories even without LeBron and, at times, Luka, thanks to improved team defense and better bench production. That depth will be essential as the season progresses and the team looks to stay
healthy.
If the Lakers can keep building chemistry and avoid major injuries, they have the tools to stay near the top of the standings. Their mix of star power and emerging role players gives them flexibility, but consistency remains the key to sustaining success through the long season.
Conclusion
The NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. But if these early odds shifts are any indication, we’re in for one of the most unpredictable title chases in recent memory. Keep an eye on the risers; the future is arriving faster than anyone expected.
