NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (Celtics Emerge as Prime Kevin Durant Suitor)
By Peter Dewey
The Kevin Durant saga had a new chapter added this week, as the Boston Celtics reportedly made an offer that included Jaylen Brown for the two-time Finals MVP.
Until the Durant domino falls, it's going to dominate the offseason, and the oddsmakers have moved the Celtics to the favorite to win the NBA Finals with the possibility that Durant ends up in Boston.
Other than Durant, this has been a relatively quiet week in the NBA offseason, especially with Collin Sexton still out in free agency and Donovan Mitchell remaining in Utah... for now.
Let's Power Rank each team in The Association as we get ready to flip the calendar to August.
1. Golden State Warriors (+650)
I won't move the defending champs off the top spot just yet, but there are other contenders looking to make a huge splash to knock them off in the 2022-23 season.
2. Boston Celtics (+400)
Boston becomes the instant favorite on the rumor that it could get KD. Imagine if the Celtics do get him? I like Jaylen Brown, but this is Kevin Durant. It's worth the risk.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (+700)
The Bucks could have some trouble coming their way if Durant ends up in Boston. Still, I think Milwaukee is the best team in the East if Boston doesn't make the move for Durant.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)
The Clippers' 2022-23 season is going come down to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George's health, but I really like what they've built for Ty Lue, who is the best coach in the NBA.
5. Phoenix Suns (+750)
The Suns can run back last year's team that was the No. 1 seed in the West. That'll be good, but I don't know if it's championship good.
6. Miami Heat (+1200)
The Heat could surge in the odds if they find a way to land Durant this offseason.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (+1500)
Don't sleep on an improved Sixers roster this season, although trusting James Harden in the playoffs is risky business.
8. Denver Nuggets (+1800)
The Nuggets are moving up in the odds, and I'm excited to see Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic together in 2022.
9. Dallas Mavericks (+2500)
The Mavericks have not gotten better this offseason, but the return of Tim Hardaway Jr. should help them mitigate the loss of Jalen Brunson.
10. Brooklyn Nets (+1000)
Maybe KD stays. Maybe he goes. Regardless, I wouldn't bet the Nets at this price.
11. Memphis Grizzlies (+2500)
The Grizzlies overachieved in the 2021-22 season, but the real test will be duplicating it this coming season.
12. Atlanta Hawks (+4000)
I'm in on the Hawks, as they brought in several solid defenders that should help them improve on their bottom-10 defense from last season.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (+1200)
I had the Lakers lower last week, but they do have LeBron James. That's enough for me to move them.
14. New Orleans Pelicans (+4000)
I'm in on the Pelicans, as they are adding Zion Williamson to a playoff team from the 2021-22 campaign.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000)
The Timberwolves improved with the addition of Rudy Gobert, but I don't know if it makes them a title contender.
16. Toronto Raptors (+3000)
The Raptors' odds are dropping, as they seem to be on the outside of the KD sweepstakes.
17. Chicago Bulls (+6000)
The Bulls are fine, but they have a lot of injury prone players and lack inside defense. Maybe Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can carry them again.
18. Cleveland Cavaliers (+10000)
The Cavaliers should swallow their pride and bring back Collin Sexton because he makes them so much more dynamic on the offensive end, especially when Darius Garland sits.
19. New York Knicks (+10000)
The Knicks may be content with running their new group with Jalen Brunson rather than giving up the farm for Donovan Mitchell.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (+8000)
Maybe a healthy Damian Lillard gets Portland back in the playoffs, but this team just doesn't move the needle for oddsmakers yet.
21. Charlotte Hornets (+15000)
The Hornets have a lot of bigs and not a lot of minutes for them. They'll need some young players to take a leap in the 2022-23 season to compete.
22. Utah Jazz (+15000)
Donovan Mitchell may be staying in Utah after all, but the Jazz are worse without Rudy Gobert, no question about it.
23. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
The Pistons have a solid young core with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, but it won't be easy to crack into the top eight in the East this season.
24. Washington Wizards (+30000)
The Wizards are going to ride the Bradley Beal train until the wheels fall off. I don't think that train makes many stops in the playoffs.
25. Sacramento Kings (+50000)
De'Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis will be an interesting trio for a Kings team that is trying to win now.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
I really want to see the Thunder make the play-in this season, but they have a lot of question marks because their roster is so young.
27. Orlando Magic (+50000)
The Magic have a solid young core, and Paolo Banchero could be the franchise-altering star they needed after his Summer League showing.
28. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
The Pacers' offseason really took a hit when the Suns matched their offer for Deandre Ayton. Still, they have pieces (Myles Turner, Buddy Hield) they can move this offseason.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
The Spurs are tanking, whether we want to believe it or not. Maybe Gregg Popovich gets them to pay above their projection, but I don't think this team is built to get back to the play-in tournament.
30. Houston Rockets (+50000)
This Rockets team should be really fun on offense, but I don't think they'll contend just yet in the 2022-23 campaign.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.