2025 NBA championship odds: Celtics favorites to repeat

The Celtics defeated the Mavericks in five games to end their 16-year title drought, marking the NBA's first six-year stretch in which a different champion has claimed the Larry O'Brien Trophy since 1975-80.

Repeating as champion is becoming increasingly difficult in the parity-driven league, with the Warriors the last to accomplish the feat in 2017 and 2018. Still, Boston is the heavy favorite to win the title again in 2025. It's never too early to start looking ahead to next season.

2025 NBA title odds

Teams still need to determine a lot between now and October's 2024-25 season opener. While many rosters will look the same, some clubs will undergo drastic changes through the draft, free agency, and trades to tilt the championship odds. The NBA's dramatic offseason often resembles a reality TV series that rarely disappoints. A disgruntled star usually forces his way out and shifts the league's landscape.

Until then, let's evaluate some of next season's contenders based on these odds.

The Celtics' top six players are under contract for the next campaign, meaning one of history's most dominant starting lineups will return to terrorize opponents for another season. Boston will be right back in the contender circle.

However, the Celtics' path to a ring next year won't be as effortless as it was this campaign.

Boston could lose depth, but Brad Stevens' moves last offseason produced a championship group. The NBA's best general manager will fill any potential holes.

Despite an aging roster, the Bucks still have one of the league's best duos in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Plus, Doc Rivers will have a full season to coach this group. Antetokounmpo's greatness gives Milwaukee a chance, but it must surround its stars with better complementary pieces.

The Knicks and Sixers could have interesting offseasons with pathways to acquire stars who would significantly boost their championship odds. Both squads are seen as contenders in the East with proven franchise cornerstones in place, but they need improvements to make a deep playoff run.

The Nuggets are the favorite in the West. Denver will always have a chance as long as it rosters Nikola Jokic, the undisputed best player in the world and three-time MVP winner. The Nuggets' lack of depth and disappointing playoff performances from secondary players led to their second-round exit this year.

Beyond the Nuggets, the West is ripe with young talent. The Timberwolves, Thunder, and Mavs aren't going anywhere. Although Dallas' Finals run ended disappointedly, the Mavs ripped through a gifted West. The backcourt pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving isn't folding anytime soon, so Dallas will always be in the mix. Oklahoma City earned the No. 1 seed as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as an MVP candidate. The Thunder have already suffered their playoff wounds and must improve around the margins to take the next step. Minnesota built a monstrous lineup equipped to compete against Jokic and the Nuggets.

Heading into the offseason, there are no huge favorites out of a West that has featured eight different franchises in the Western Conference finals in the last six years.

The Rockets finished 11th in the West in 2023-24 at 41-41, the best record ever by an 11-seed. That speaks to how deep and talented the Western Conference is - and it's only getting better. The Suns, Warriors, and Lakers field older rosters, and none have odds shorter than 25-1, but they all still have superstars who keep them in contention. The Rockets and Spurs are expected to take strides as they surround their young cores with talent.

The Grizzlies had a forgettable season. Ja Morant, one of the league's most dynamic guards when healthy and staying out of trouble, played nine games this campaign due to suspension and injury.

Morant's backcourt partner Desmond Bane missed half the season, and Marcus Smart played in only 20 contests. While Memphis' stars sat, the club developed younger players like GG Jackson, who could have an immediate role on a winning team.

The Grizzlies have much to prove after a disastrous 2023-24, especially Morant and Smart, who watched the Celtics finally reach the mountaintop after trading him last offseason. Oddsmakers don't respect Memphis, which finished second in the West in two straight seasons before this year's debacle.

Superteams and Big Threes are in the past. With an even playing field, it's worth searching down the oddsboard for next year's champion.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.