Thanks to an other-worldly performance from Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets were able to finally claim the first NBA Championship in franchise history by defeating the Miami Heat in five games.
The Nuggets had to wait a long 47 years before capturing their first NBA title. That means there are now 11 NBA franchises hoping to win that elusive crown. So, that begs the question, who will be the next team to break through and accomplish the feat?
At the top of that list is the Phoenix Suns, who were dispatched by the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals. So, the team went out and made another blockbuster deal, this time acquiring Washington Wizards star shooting guard Bradley Beal.
After the move, the Suns are not only the best bet among teams looking for their first title, they also have the fourth-best NBA odds to win the championship overall. Will Beal be the final piece for Phoenix and help the Suns rise to the top?
Next team to win their first NBA Championship odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
 Phoenix Suns |
+200 |
 Los Angeles Clippers |
+600 |
 Memphis Grizzlies |
+600 |
 Oklahoma City Thunder |
+700 |
 New Orleans Pelicans |
+700 |
 Minnesota Timberwolves |
+800 |
 Utah Jazz |
+900 |
 Brooklyn Nets |
+900 |
 Indiana Pacers |
+1,000 |
 Orlando Magic |
+1,100 |
 Charlotte Hornets |
+1,200 |
Odds as of June 20, 2023.
Favorites
Phoenix Suns (+200)
The Phoenix Suns have been in the NBA since 1968. So, that’s 55 seasons without an NBA title. That’s a long time. They’ve come close a few times. Including a Charles Barkley-led team coming up short against the Michael Jordan Bulls. And more recently a heartbreaking loss in six games to the Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
And after this past year’s early playoff exit, it’s clear that the Suns want to make the most of Kevin Durant’s remaining years as a top player in the NBA.
Despite his status as a future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul had lost a step, and of course, is often injured. And in his latest absence, Phoenix’s offense arguably looked better with CP3 off the court. So, it’s off into the sunset for Paul — and in comes Bradley Beal.
The three-time All-Star is an immediate upgrade for the Suns, and while he's coming off some down years, that can be attributed to the fact that he was wasting away on a putrid Wizards team for so many years. Expect him and the Suns to be motivated for big things this season.
Los Angeles Clippers (+600)
Clippers fans have been waiting a long time for even a sniff of the NBA Finals, let alone their first championship. The Clippers’ drought dates back to 1970 when they entered the league as the Buffalo Braves and lasted throughout their tenure as the San Diego Clippers before their move to L.A. in 1984. Heck, they only have one conference finals appearance in franchise history.
But that was supposed to change when the team landed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George following the 2019 season. Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out that way. Both stars have battled countless injuries since then and when they have been healthy, their playoff appearances have been marked by disappointment.
So, is this the year when everything falls into place for the Clippers? Well, a lot of that will come down to the health of Leonard, whose season was ended by yet another knee injury. That said, he's expected to be ready for the start of the season. If he and George are healthy, and with a rejuvenated Russell Westbrook, and possibly other additions, the Clippers should be able to contend in the West.
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Memphis Grizzlies (+600)
The suffering of Grizzlies fans isn’t as long-standing as some of the other teams on this list. The team was founded in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies alongside the Toronto Raptors as the NBA’s only Canadian teams. But the Grizz only lasted a few years in Vancouver before moving to Memphis in 2001. So, there may not even be fans who have been waiting around since the team’s inception.
The Grizzlies haven’t ever made the Finals but have had plenty of playoff success through the years highlighted by the “Grit N Grind” era. And Memphis enters the 2023-24 season in a fascinating, if not precarious, situation.
The Grizz are coming off back-to-back Southwest Division titles, mostly on the back of Ja Morant. But the high-flying superstar can’t stay out of his own way. Morant will be suspended for the first 25 games of the season thanks to wielding a gun in multiple social media posts.
The incidents were clearly a distraction for the team this season as they were ousted from the playoffs' first round by LeBron James and the Lakers. It will be interesting to see if Memphis can put this behind them in time for a playoff run.
Best Bet: Oklahoma City Thunder
It may seem crazy but my favorite bet to be the next team to win their first NBA title is one we haven’t mentioned yet — the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder took the next step in their development, going 40-42 thanks to the breakout season from guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA did it all for OKC last year, averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. And now, the Thunder know they have an MVP-level player to build around.
Jalen Williams gained serious Rookie of the Year odds momentum last season, Josh Giddey looks like the real deal, and the No. 2 overall pick from last season Chet Holmgren should be good to go this year. Oh, and they have a ton of draft capital incoming, including three more picks this year.
Give me the Thunder to be the next team to end its title drought.
My best bet: Thunder (+700)
