The 80th anniversary NBA season starts in October, but long-term betting markets for major sporting events open months in advance. In this 1xBet review, we take a closer look at the leading contenders for the championship title.
Analysts at betting company 1xBet have evaluated the title chances of all 30 teams ahead of the new season. However, based on current odds, only the top five teams are viewed as realistic contenders.
Oklahoma City Thunder, odds: 3.50
Oklahoma City is the reigning NBA champion, having edged out the Indiana Pacers 4–3 in the Finals. Throughout last season, Mark Daigneault’s squad and then-defending champion Boston Celtics were frontrunners, pulling well ahead of their nearest challengers. By the end of the regular season, the Thunder topped not just the Western Conference but the entire league.
The team is most closely associated with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian scoring sensation made a huge contribution to their title run and earned both Regular Season MVP and Finals MVP honors. The club extended his contract for another four years and retained most of the championship core
Since 2019, seven different franchises have claimed the NBA title. If that pattern holds, 2026 could bring yet another new champion, possibly one of the four teams below.
New York Knicks, 9.0
Last season, the Knicks were among the top five favorites but unexpectedly fell to the Indiana Pacers 2–4 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Over the summer, New York signed French forward Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year deal. He previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers. This move could help the team regain its former glory.
Cleveland Cavaliers, 9.0
Despite finishing first in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland wasn’t considered a true contender during the 2024/25 season. Experts remained skeptical about the Cavaliers’ potential — and rightly so, as the team exited in the second round of the playoffs, once again losing to Indiana.
Houston Rockets, 9.0
The Houston Rockets were knocked out in the first round of last season’s playoffs, after a grueling 3–4 series loss to the Golden State Warriors. Ahead of the new season, the Rockets extended or re-signed contracts with six players and added veteran superstar Kevin Durant. Fans will be hoping he can stay healthy throughout the campaign.
Denver Nuggets, 9.0
In 2024/25, Denver finished fourth in the West and was eliminated in the second round by eventual champion, Oklahoma City. That thrilling series ended 4–3 in favor of the Thunder. Led by Nikola Jokić, the team will be aiming to recapture the form that brought it a championship three years ago. To strengthen their roster, Denver signed experienced Lithuanian center Jonas Valančiūnas.
Los Angeles Lakers, 15.0
In the 2025/26 NBA outright winner market, the Los Angeles Lakers are tied for 6th–7th place with the Orlando Magic. Public interest in the Lakers has surged since midseason last year, when Luka Dončić joined the storied franchise. Basketball fans around the world are eager to see the Slovenian star build chemistry with LeBron James. For now, this team looks like a dark horse contender.
Pick your favorite, place your bets, and don’t stress about your payout. At 1xBet withdrawal problem arise only when users violate the platform’s rules. For all other players, payouts are processed promptly and reliably.
