NBA 2016 Favorites
The 2015-16 NBA betting season may be complete, but that doesn’t mean things are slowing down around the Association. The draft has come and gone, free agency is on the horizon and bettors are getting a clearer picture of which teams will be favorites to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2016.
NBA Picks
Will the Warriors win a second-straight title after going 40 years without one? Will LeBron James get enough help to finally get the Cleveland Cavaliers the championship they so badly covet?
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Here’s a look at which teams are the favorites entering 2015-16, before free-agency moves have taken place.
Bovada’s Odds to win 2016 NBA Championship
- Cleveland Cavaliers 3/1
- Golden State Warriors 5/1
- Oklahoma City Thunder 7/1
- Chicago Bulls 10/1
- Los Angeles Clippers 10/1
- San Antonio Spurs 10/1
- Houston Rockets 18/1
- Atlanta Hawks 25/1
- Memphis Grizzlies 25/1
- Dallas Mavericks 33/1
- Indiana Pacers 33/1
- Miami Heat 33/1
- New Orleans Pelicans 33/1
- Portland Trailblazers 40/1
- Toronto Raptors 40/1
- Washington Wizards 40/1
- Boston Celtics 50/1
- Los Angeles Lakers 66/1
- Denver Nuggets 100/1
- Detroit Pistons 100/1
- Milwaukee Bucks 100/1
- Brooklyn Nets 100/1
- New York Knicks 100/1
- Phoenix Suns 100/1
- Sacramento Kings 100/1
- Utah Jazz 100/1
- Minnesota Timberwolves 150/1
- Charlotte Hornets 250/1
- Orlando Magic 250/1
- Philadelphia 76ers 250/1
Cleveland Cavaliers (3/1)
If LeBron James had any semblance of help this past Finals, we might be talking about how LBJ led the Cavs to their first championship. The self-proclaimed “King” was unbelievable in the six-game showing against the Golden State Warriors, and he’s the sole reason this team is considered the favorite entering 2015-16.
As important as James is to this team finding success, he recognizes that he needs help. That’s exactly why he’s opted out of his contract to become a free agent this summer. He didn’t do it to take his talents elsewhere; he did it so he can capitalize on the cap spike next summer, and so Cleveland can poach players off the free-agent market before he re-signs.
If this team can bolster the roster, and just as importantly, get healthy, James will have the team he needs to win a title. The Eastern Conference is a joke, and James has a strong opportunity to reach his sixth-straight championship next season.
Golden State Warriors (5/1)
Steph Curry was brilliant, Andre Iguodala was the series-shifting X-factor and Draymond Green was as versatile on the defensive end as he was supposed to be.
The Warriors won their first championship in 40 years this past season, and the bad news for the rest of the league is that they’ll be bringing back almost the exact same team next year.
The only expected roster shift is the potential trade of David Lee. Lee has officially been replaced by Green, and his salary is no longer worth paying for a guy who sees a few minutes here or there off the pine.
Look for Lee to be gone, and a younger, cheaper player to take his place. But no matter who that player is, expect the Warriors to be a contender.
Oklahoma City Thunder (7/1)
If the Oklahoma City Thunder hadn’t dealt with an unreal number of injuries this past season, we might be talking about them as the 2015 NBA champions.
With a healthy Kevin Durant, this team is a contender. Add a healthy Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka to the mix, and the rest of the league is in trouble.
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The only thing holding this team back aside from health is a brutal Western Conference. But OKC isn’t just playing against tough competition — it is tough competition for the rest of the bunch as well.
Chicago Bulls (10/1)
Not to sound like a broken record, but we might be looking at the Chicago Bulls as the 2015 champions if it weren’t for health.
Injuries defined many teams’ success this past year, and the Bulls were no exception. Joakim Noah was hobbled, Derrick Rose missed a significant number of games and the team wasn’t able to get in a full campaign together before a run at a title.
All indications are that this team will bring back Jimmy Butler next season, and that’s Step 1 to a successful offseason. The true Step 1 was replacing Tom Thibodeau with Fred Hoiberg, but when it comes to player personnel, retaining the young franchise centerpiece must happen.
After that takes place, we can assume that either Noah or Taj Gibson (or possibly both) will be moved following the drafting of Bobby Portis.
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We’ll know what this team’s chances are in 2016 after the roster is finalized, but a healthy Rose, Butler and a slew of productive big men means good things for arguably the second-best team out East.
Los Angeles Clippers (10/1)
The Clippers have already started improving their roster this summer. They swapped Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes for Lance Stephenson, and there are rumors that they will look to fill their vacancy at starting small forward with future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce.
The only thing that will take this team out of contention next season is if it loses DeAndre Jordan in free agency. The big man has developed into one of the league’s best rebounders and shot blockers, but there’s also rumblings that he may want a bigger role — one he won’t find in Los Angeles behind Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
Keep an eye on this situation throughout free agency, as it will depend on whom the Clips bring in as his replacement that determines if this team is still a contender.
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