NBA Power Rankings Based on Championship Odds (NBA Finals Odds Settling Ahead of Training Camp)
By Peter Dewey
We've officially come to the dog days of the NBA offseason, as the Donovan Mitchell trade effectively ended the rumor mill and the big dominoes left to fall in the league.
That's led to the NBA Finals odds coming to a standstill at FanDuel, but does that give us a chance to jump on a value candidate before training camp?
Here's how each team stacks up ahead of the 2022-23 season:
1. Golden State Warriors (+700)
As long as Steph Curry is healthy, the Warriors are going to be a contender in the West, especially if some of their young players improved from last season.
2. Boston Celtics (+500)
The Celtics improved their depth a bit this offseason, but a loaded Eastern Conference is going to make their road back to the Finals tougher in the 2022-23 season.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (+650)
Don't sleep on Giannis Antetokounmpo winning his third MVP in the 2022-23 season...
4. Los Angeles Clippers (+700)
The Clippers have one of the most-talented rosters in the NBA if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can stay on the floor.
5. Brooklyn Nets (+700)
Brooklyn's version of "The Last Dance" could be a fun one if Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving stay healthy.
6. Denver Nuggets (+2100)
Jama Murray's return could put Denver in the conversation to win the West in the 2022-23 season.
7. Phoenix Suns (+1000)
The Suns' window to win a title is closing fast, but does Chris Paul have another run left in him?
8. Philadelphia 76ers (+1700)
The Sixers' season is going to depend on whether or not James Harden can get back to his old self, or if he's just a complement to Joel Embiid.
9. Miami Heat (+1800)
Miami's depth took a bit of hit when it lost P.J. Tucker, but you know this team is going to play hard every night for Erik Spoelstra.
10. Dallas Mavericks (+2700)
If anyone can carry this Dallas team to a top-four seed in the West, it's Luka Doncic.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (+3300)
The Cavs are primed to make the biggest leap in the NBA now that Donovan Mitchell is in town.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (+2400)
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies have pretty long odds for a team that finished second in the West in the 2021-22 season...
13. Minnesota Timberwolves (+3300)
Rudy Gobert raises the Wolves' floor, but their ceiling still appears to be capped in the West.
14. Los Angeles Lakers (+2500)
Russell Westbrook starting the season with the Lakers seems more and more likely, which is probably a bad sign for Los Angeles given the lack of floor spacing it has on the roster.
15. New Orleans Pelicans (+5000)
I'm high on the Pelicans after their impressive playoff run in the 2021-22 season without Zion Williamson.
16. Atlanta Hawks (+5000)
Are people sleeping on the Hawks? At +5000 this team is projected as a play-in team rather than a playoff team.
17. Toronto Raptors (+4500)
Toronto has a ton of length and talent defensively, but the playoffs last season showed the team needs more reliable scoring options.
18. Chicago Bulls (+5000)
When do the Bulls consider hitting the panic button on guard Lonzo Ball, who is still recovering from last year's knee injury?
19. Portland Trail Blazers (+12000)
The Blazers should sneak into the playoff picture in the West with the Jazz and Spurs both dropping out after their offseason trades.
20. New York Knicks (+12000)
The Knicks face an uphill battle in a tough Eastern Conference after missing out on the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes.
21. Charlotte Hornets (+12000)
Charlotte could be in trouble in the 2022-23 season with the rest of the East improving.
22. Washington Wizards (+20000)
I'm not sold on this Wizards team even with a healthy Bradley Beal.
23. Sacramento Kings (+43000)
The Kings have a shot at the play-in in the West, and De'Aaron Fox should continue to improve with Domantas Sabonis there for a full season.
24. Detroit Pistons (+50000)
Can Cade Cunningham and the Pistons make a leap to becoming a playoff team?
25. Utah Jazz (+20000)
Whether they admit it or not, the Jazz are in full tank mode following the Donovan Mitchell trade.
26. Orlando Magic (+50000)
Orlando's future will depend on the development of Paolo Banchero, especially if he shows that he's ready in Year 1.
27. Indiana Pacers (+50000)
The Tyrese Haliburton show will be fun to watch when you're flipping through League Pass. The Pacers as a whole though? Not so much.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (+50000)
One day we will see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander play meaningful, maybe even playoff basketball. But I don't think it's this season.
29. San Antonio Spurs (+50000)
Gregg Popopvich may go out the same way he came in as the Spurs' head coach, with a tank.
30. Houston Rockets (+50000)
The Rockets were a great team to bet against last season, but things could change with a quickly improving young core.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.