2018-19 NBA Championship Futures Update

The Golden State Warriors remain strong favorites on the NBA championship futures odds, but those odds could be in for a shakeup once free agency begins.

On the latest NBA championship futures at Bovada Sportsbook, the Warriors are a +140 favorite. With Kevin Durant expected to return, the Warriors will bring back most of their championship roster, including the most important pieces: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

Following the Warriors on the futures odds are the Houston Rockets at +500 and the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers all at +550. If you’re looking for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they’re much further down the list at +2400. That could all change when free agency is unleashed on July 6.

The Rockets couldn’t get past the Warriors in the Western Conference final last season and now must decide whether to bring back Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza. Houston is also reportedly going to take a run at LeBron James and if they landed him, their odds would improve greatly.

The 76ers, Celtics and Lakers all make an interesting case at +550.

Can you trust the process at +550?

The 76ers continue to trust the process and it began to show dividends at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have both arrived and it will be interesting to see what Markelle Fultz can do in a full season when healthy. Philadelphia is supposedly another possible landing spot for LeBron. If that happens, they won’t be +550 very long.

Boston made it all the way to the Eastern Conference final last year despite missing Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. That allowed for the emergence of Jayson Tatum. The Celtics could make some noise in free agency, but even if they don’t, they’ll remain one of the strongest teams in the East.

Odds at +550 for Hollywood ending

The Lakers are getting pretty good odds for a team that didn’t make the playoffs last year. They could look a lot different next year with Isaiah Thomas, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez all free agents. The Lakers are also a possible destination for every impact free agent, and even for players who aren’t free agents yet like Kawhi Leonard.

And, what about Cleveland at +2400? Those are quite high odds for a team that went to the NBA Finals last year for the fourth consecutive season. It’s no secret that the Cavaliers’ chances all depend on the return of LeBron. If he again decides to take his talents elsewhere, expect Cleveland’s odds to sink like a stone.