2021-22 NBA Futures: Odds to Win the NBA Finals

The 2021-22 NBA season is set to tip-off on October 19th. Throughout this season, the NBA will be commemorating its 75th anniversary. The first game to start off the season is none other than the Brooklyn Nets traveling to take on the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. If you'll recall, the Brooklyn Nets were extremely close to taking down the Milwaukee Bucks just before the Eastern Conference Finals and advancing this past postseason. This season will revert back to the typical October-April schedule, with 82 games being played by each team. The last two seasons were altered and changed due to COVID-19.

Many players we've come to know over the years retired leading up to this season. Players such as Pau Gasol, JJ Redick, Kyle Korver, and J.R. Smith have hung it up. With those retirements, we saw plenty of transactions, including Kyle Lowry being traded to the Miami Heat and Lonzo Ball being traded to the Chicago Bulls.

This season will also showcase No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons.

Now, we will look to NBA betting and in this case, NBA Finals Futures. This means that we will look at the odds for all 30 NBA teams odds to win the NBA Championship, which will take place in June. This gives bettors the most optimal chance to make some money. The downside to futures betting is that the money is tied up for months on end. While that is a definite downside, think about futures betting kind of like a stock. You make an investment now and hope it pays off down the line. No, it doesn't grow over time, but you could take a team with +900 odds now and make an excellent amount of money.

We'll also be looking at NBA Conference Futures and NBA Divisional Futures, covering all things NBA Futures betting.

For the best odds, we'll be looking at all the top online betting sites and multiple sportsbooks when it comes to US sports betting.

Now let's dive in and get some NBA betting done!

Who do you think wins the NBA Finals this upcoming season?

At the dawn of every new season, there are 30 teams all striving for the same goal—to win the NBA Championship. Of course, though, teams' realistic chances of winning differ far and wide.

Let's be honest, the NBA is not exactly known for its parity. There always seems to be a handful of teams that we can reasonably expect to win the NBA Championship.

With that, though, it helps us narrow down potential winners to make even better bets.

Below, we will look at all 30 teams and give some analysis on the chances of each!

Atlanta Hawks (+4000 at Caesars)

While the Eastern Conference has both the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, at +4000, you could find a worse bet than the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks, led by Trae Young, went on an impressive run last season. This offseason, the team added Jalen Johnson in the draft and Gorgui Deng.

If you're someone who enjoys betting on the over/under for team wins, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves at 47.5 at Caesars. That number doesn't feel like there is much value associated with it, however.

The Atlanta Hawks should finish in the middle of the Eastern Conference, but the Finals seem a bit too far away right now.

Boston Celtics (+4000 at BetMGM)

The Boston Celtics head into the season with a full campaign from Al Horford, Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson, and new coach Ime Udoka. However, this will also be the first full season without Kemba Walker.

The Boston Celtics have plenty of fantastic supporting pieces, but if some of the more tenured players can improve like Marcus Smart, the Boston Celtics should be a suitable threat.

However, the Finals seem like a ways away, especially coming out of the East against the cream of the crop.

Brooklyn Nets (+250 at FanDuel)

The Nets have been consumed by the offseason saga that is Kyrie Irving and his resistance to the COVID vaccine. Playing in New York, the vaccine mandates are a bit different compared to the rest of the country and it appears Irving will not play for the Nets.

Without Irving, the team will rely on James Harden and Kevin Durant. They are some of the best players in the NBA but are over 30 years old.

The Nets will still be a mighty threat, but at +250, this doesn't feel like a value bet.

With that said, the Nets are going to be a great parlay betting team. They should still win well north of 50 games, so adding them to a parlay could make for more cash.

Charlotte Hornets (+18000 at DraftKings)

We'll lead by saying the Hornets have extremely low chances of winning the NBA Finals. However, they are a team on the fringe of making it into the playoffs. With Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball, and new additions such as Kelly Oubre Jr. and James Bouknight from the draft, they could be intriguing.

The Hornets are a team that you could target in over/under props, though. At 38.5, the Hornets could become a 40-win team.

Chicago Bulls (+7000 at PointsBet)

The No. 8 seed could be a spot for the Chicago Bulls or the previously mentioned Hornets.

However, side by side, the Chicago Bulls have an excellent starting five. The lineup includes DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball.

There are lots of new acquisitions, so we could see some growing pains out of the gate.

The Bulls aren't a bad bet at +7000, but again, they do not strike me as a team that can take on the Milwaukee Bucks in a best of five or seven series.

You can wager on the Bulls now at multiple different Illinois betting sites.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+25000 at FanDuel)

While Collin Sexton and Darius Garland show promise for the future, that's all the Cleveland Cavaliers have this season—promise for the future.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to be a tough team to bet on this year, especially in the moneyline betting (individual games) department.

The focus of the Cleveland Cavaliers season will be on a top draft pick, Evan Mobley.

Dallas Mavericks (+2800 at DraftKings)

There are two diverging ways of looking at the Dallas Mavericks this season.

The first is the loss of Rick Carlisle and bringing in Jason Kidd.

The second is how much you value Luka Doncic. To me, Doncic has a real shot at being the MVP of the league, but will that be enough to take down the Los Angeles Lakers?

When it's all said and done, +2800 is not a bad bet, but I cannot endorse the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Championship or wagering on their NBA Futures odds this season.

Kidd is tough to get behind.

Denver Nuggets (+2000 at PointsBet)

Colorado sports betting sites are going to see plenty of action this season with the Denver Nuggets.

Jamal Murray will be out to start the season, but the team should have the pieces to make up for it, including Michael Porter Jr. and the always reliable Nikola Jokic.

A team that is probably a four-seed at their peak, the Denver Nuggets are always a scrappy team.

You could do worse in this +2000 range. Maybe spread a bit of the wealth to the Denver Nuggets.

Detroit Pistons (+50000 at Caesars)

No matter what Michigan sports betting site you look at, the Pistons are about as long of shots to win the Finals as any.

We mentioned that the team drafted Cade Cunningham at No. 1 overall.

Coming off drafting No. 1 overall, it would be a modern miracle for the team to turn it around in one season.

Expect them to have another top draft pick.

Golden State Warriors (+900 at BetMGM)

After a few humbling seasons, the Golden State Warriors are a team poised for a comeback in the Western Conference.

With Steph Curry at the helm and another season of Jordan Poole, the key part of the Golden State Warriors season will be Klay Thompson.

One thing we also need to keep in mind is that the Golden State Warriors could make a big trade deadline swing.

Still, though, I think I'd take the Nuggets at +2000 over the Golden State Warriors right now at +900 with BetMGM.

Houston Rockets (+25000 at FanDuel)

Jalen Green will be the only bright spot on this team.

It goes without saying that the Houston Rockets appear to be tanking this season along with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Houston Rockets winning the NBA Championship gets a big “nope” from me.

Indiana Pacers (+10000 at FanDuel)

Injuries are going to be a focal point of the Indiana Pacers this season.

At the start of the season, it will be intriguing to see how Caris LeVert and the Indiana Pacers respond to his back injury and how his recovery continues.

The same goes for Justin Holiday who has an ankle injury.

While Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson will be fine additions from the draft, the Indiana Pacers will miss the postseason.

Los Angeles Clippers (+1700 at DraftKings)

With Kawhi Leonard out to start the season, many are overlooking the Los Angeles Clippers' chances at a title run. While this team may not win 50 games due to him being out, a postseason run is not out of the question.

Sure, it's always a lot to rely on a player returning from an ACL injury, but at +1700 with DraftKings, this could be a darkhorse wager.

A squad with Leonard, Paul George, Eric Bledsoe, and Reggie Jackson will cause issues to any team out there.

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Los Angeles Lakers (+350 at PointsBet)

At the end of the regular season, this team could miss out on their regular-season win props. That's because the Los Angeles Lakers will spend this season resting players prior to the postseason. However, when it's all said and done, it'll be hard to talk me out of betting on LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook's NBA Finals odds.

Memphis Grizzlies (+10000 at DraftKings)

The Memphis Grizzlies are never a team that anyone thinks of as competitive, but that could change this season.

At the end of the regular season, the Memphis Grizzlies might be a lower-seeded Western Conference team, but they could be a team to upset the Los Angeles Clippers or Denver Nuggets.

I don't believe a championship is the realm of possibilities as evidenced by their odds to win it all, but they could be a team to knock off a more highly-lauded squad.

Miami Heat (+2600 at PointsBet)

It wasn't too long ago that the Miami Heat made the NBA Finals. When that happened, though, Oladipo was playing well, as was Tyler Herro.

This offseason, the team brought in Lowry and Markieff Morris. However, they lost Goran Dragic.

This team always plays tough defense, but we'll have to see if this team's core pieces bounce back.

At +2600, the Miami Heat are not a bad bet to make.

Milwaukee Bucks (+650 at FanDuel)

Coming off a Larry O'Brien trophy, there could be that hangover, but at +650 with FanDuel, this is a bet I'd take.

The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers will be the only two teams the Bucks ultimately need to worry about. Keep in mind that this already excellent team has brought in George Hill and Rodney Hood.

As with any elite team, though, health can derail it all.

If Antetoknounmpo were to miss a lengthy period of time, it could hinder the Milwaukee Bucks chances and NBA Finals odds.

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Minnesota Timberwolves (+30000 at Caesars)

With Karl Anthony-Towns, D'Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards in the fold, the Minnesota Timberwolves could be pushed over their 35.5 regular-season wins prop. This would require Anthony-Towns to have the best season of his career, which is highly possible.

However, when it comes to the NBA Finals and NBA Futures or NBA Futures odds in the context of winning it all, I'll pass.

New Orleans Pelicans (+10000 at BetMGM)

The health of Zion Williamson will be a huge factor in the prospects of the New Orleans Pelicans. When I say that, I mean in the context of becoming a lottery team. Brandon Ingram is a fine player, but he and Williamson cannot win an NBA Futures odds bet.

Perhaps once Louisiana sports betting becomes more and more available we'll be able to wager on their lottery slot.

New York Knicks (+10000 at FanDuel)

Thinking back to the old Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks-led teams, it almost seems like a parallel universe. That's because those teams did not play defense whatsoever, whereas last season, the team allowed the fewest points per content overall.

With a full season of Kemba Walker, can the New York Knicks keep up offensively with these other stacked teams in the East?

As a New York Knicks fan, an NBA championship would be great, but this is a team that is a middle of the pact seed in the East, ultimately.

Oklahoma City Thunder (+100000 at DraftKings)

Who will tank harder? The Oklahoma City Thunder of Houston Rockets?

We'll see, but this is right in Sam Presti and Oklahoma City Thunder wheelhouse.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will do their best to win games in the teens and nothing more.

Orlando Magic (+30000 at PointsBet)

The 2021-2022 Orlando Magic season will be all about developing young talent. This of course includes draft picks Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.

This team is all youth.

A squad of the two draft picks, Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and Jonathan Isaac will be interesting to watch, especially stacked up against the more elite teams in the East.

Philadelphia 76ers (+2000 at FanDuel)

Maybe there is a Pennsylvania sports betting site out there in which you can bet on the over/under odds of Ben Simmons games played in Philly.

On paper, the Philadelphia 76ers are a top team in the East. Perhaps not in the realm of the Milwaukee Bucks, but the 76ers have excellent players. The list includes Joel Embiid, newcomer Andre Drummond, amongst others.

With the Simmons dynamic going on, I'm avoiding the 76ers in NBA Futures bets, especially when it comes to the NBA Championship.

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Phoenix Suns (+1700 at DraftKings)

Arizona sports betting is having a great time right now. The Arizona Cardinals are 6-0 in the NFL and the Phoenix Suns appear poised to be a top contender in the Western Conference. The Phoenix Suns over/under futures odds for regular-season wins is at 51.1. With Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton, the Phoenix Suns could be one of the best bets against the Los Angeles Lakers.

I'll definitely sprinkle some cash in the direction of the Phoenix Suns on all things NBA futures betting, considering their NBA Championship odds.

Portland Trail Blazers (+6000 at PointsBet)

While the Portland Trail Blazers are +6000 with PoinsBet, this is going to be a rock-solid team. While the NBA Finals may not be the best NBA futures odds wager to make with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard should keep them mightily competitive en route to a playoff berth.

I'll take the over, slightly, on their 44.5 over/under NBA futures odds.

Sacramento Kings (+24000 at FanDuel)

The Sacramento Kings appear to be stuck in purgatory. Perhaps this is a team that could try to trade for Ben Simmons. Until then, they appear to be a team with low lottery odds in terms of a high draft pick, thus being in purgatory.

Watching De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton should be a good time in the interim, though.

With their odds to win the Finals in the five-digit area, it goes without saying that this is not happening.

San Antonio Spurs (+35000 at DraftKings)

Perhaps there is an NBA futures market available right now for who the next San Antonio Spurs coach will be. Gregg Popovich likely only has a season or two left with the San Antonio Spurs, and sadly, it appears this will be a season devoid of the NBA Playoffs.

Keldon Johnson is a fine player, but we should already be looking toward the NBA Draft when it comes to the San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs are far away from being an NBA Finals winner.

Toronto Raptors (+15000 at BetMGM)

While Ontario sports betting is allowing single-game wagers, perhaps that will change soon so that you can place your bets on the Toronto Raptors.

Actually, it shouldn't matter—placing an NBA Futures bet on the Toronto Raptors is ill-advised.

With Lowry moving on, the face of the Toronto Raptors is up for grabs. Lowry was with the Toronto Raptors for seemingly forever.

Fred VanVleet is a fine player, but he is not capable of leading a team to an NBA championship just yet.

Utah Jazz (+1500 at Caesars)

If the Utah Jazz gets into a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA playoffs, it would not shock me to see it go seven games. With Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Sixth Man winner Jordan Clarkson, the Utah Jazz are set up to be a tough out.

If the Los Angeles Lakers chill out in the regular season, the Utah Jazz could be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

Expect online sportsbooks to get plenty of action this season when it comes to the Jazz. If you like betting on parlays, over/under, or moneylines, the Utah Jazz fit into all of those categories.

Definitely loving the Utah Jazz heading into this season and their NBA Finals odds.

Washington Wizards (+15000 at PointsBet)

With Russell Westbrook out the door, the Washington Wizards did their best to reload on talent bringing in guys like Spencer Dinwiddie, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, and Corey Kispert in the draft.

On top of that, the Washington Wizards still have Bradley Beal.

The over/under prop for the Washington Wizards and regular-season wins is 34.5. This is a bet you should look toward more.

Perhaps this team makes a run toward the postseason.

This is a team that could either drop well below that and trades Beal if the team doesn't get it going or, with the current roster, I'll take the over and 34.5.