The NBA trade deadline and All-Star break are officially in the books. As a result, NBA franchises can begin to focus their efforts on a potential push towards the NBA Finals.
There are a handful of teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences that have a chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. Let’s take a closer look at who is well-positioned for a deep run later this season.
Which team will win the NBA Finals this season? Let’s dive into which teams are the top contenders in our 2026 NBA Finals futures, as well as a few long shots on PrizePicks Team Picks. With Team Picks, you can predict game winners, spreads, over/unders, and futures and earn real-money rewards if you’re right.
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2026 NBA Finals Futures
Here's who might or might not have an inside track to the NBA Finals
Favorite: Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Finals Winner: 1.56x No | 2.32x Yes
During the 2024-25 season, the Thunder won their second NBA title in franchise history (first in Oklahoma City), defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games.
After winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy a season ago, Oklahoma City has all the makings of a team that could accomplish the feat for a second consecutive year. If the Thunder are able to win the NBA Finals again in 2025-26, they would become the first NBA franchise since the Golden State Warriors (2016-17, 2018-18) to win back-to-back championships.
The Thunder currently owns the NBA’s best record (42-14) and holds a three-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the top seed in the Western Conference. Despite currently being sidelined due to an abdominal strain, PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still listed as the NBA MVP favorite on PrizePicks Player Futures with a 1.53x payout if he wins the prestigious award. SF Jalen Williams is also dealing with a hamstring injury, but the Thunder will likely be cautious in bringing him back onto the court.
At full strength, there are few teams that are as dangerous as the Thunder from an offensive standpoint. The Thunder have averaged 119.7 points per game (third in the NBA), while ranking fourth in offensive efficiency (117.8), per NBA Advanced Stats. On top of that, Oklahoma City allows the fewest points per contest (108.0) among NBA teams.
GM Sam Presti has done a great job stockpiling assets over the years. At the trade deadline earlier this month, the Thunder acquired G Jared McCain in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers to bolster its bench. McCain could be a solid addition to the team’s bench come playoff time.
As long as the Thunder are healthy, there’s no reason to think that they won’t be in the conversation to win the NBA Finals this June. After all, Oklahoma City possesses an incredibly deep roster that starts with Gilgeous-Alexander, but can see several players go off on a given night.
Favorite: Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA Finals Winner: 1.04x No | 9.09x Yes
The Cavaliers had the East’s best record (64-18) in 2024-25, but ended up standing pat in the trade deadline. Ultimately, Cleveland was eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the East semifinals after winning just one playoff series.
Cleveland didn’t sit on its hands this time around as it made a huge splash in the form of acquiring PG James Harden in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the trade deadline. Since adding Harden to its roster, the Cavaliers have been on fire and won all three games with the veteran playmaker in the lineup.
Prior to the trade, Harden averaged 25.4 PPG with the Clippers, his highest per-game average since he averaged 34.3 PPG with the Houston Rockets in 2019-20. On top of being a scoring threat, the three-time NBA scoring champion also remains an above-average facilitator. He figures to have more options with the Cavaliers in the form of SG Donovan Mitchell, PF Evan Mobley, and C Jarrett Allen, just to name a few.
The Cavaliers had an up-and-down start to the season, but have really hit their stride over the last month, winning 10 of their last 11 games. It may not be a huge surprise considering that Cleveland averages the second-most PPG (120.0) behind only the Denver Nuggets (120.4).
Obviously, Cleveland would have to get past the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics in order to reach the NBA Finals. Still, with a star-studded backcourt of Harden and Mitchell in tow, it’s hard not to like the Cavaliers’ chances.
Longshot: Houston Rockets
NBA Finals Winner: 1.01x No | 16.66x Yes
The Western Conference is absolutely loaded at the top, and should prove to be extremely entertaining come playoff time. Still, outside of the top contenders, it’s hard to ignore what the Rockets bring to the table.
Houston was eliminated in the opening round of the NBA playoffs by the Golden State Warriors last year following a 52-win regular season. In July 2025, the Rockets made a splash when the franchise landed star SF Kevin Durant in a seven-team trade.
With Durant in the fold, the Rockets have the championship DNA that they previously lacked. Their one-two punch of Durant and C Alperen Sengun is a nightmare for opposing defenses to slow down. PG Amen Thompson (17.6 PPG) has developed into a third scoring option, while SG Reed Sheppard is having a spectacular sophomore campaign (12.7 PPG & 38.7% from three).
The Rockets are also very stingy defensively with a 112.0 defensive rating, according to NBA Advanced Stats. If Houston can stay healthy, it’s not crazy to think that they can give the West’s elite teams fits in a seven-game series come playoff time.
Longshot: Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Finals Winner: 1.01x No | 22.22x Yes
The Eastern Conference has some extremely talented teams, but it could be wide-open for the taking this season. As a result, the 76ers are a team that can’t be counted out when it comes to making a run at the NBA Finals.
It’s no secret that Philadelphia has had lofty expectations in previous years, and ultimately has come up short. The 76ers were eliminated in the East semifinals from 2021 to 2023, despite having a roster that could make a deep playoff run. However, this year’s group has almost flown under the radar and has an intriguing mix of veterans and young talent that could make some noise.
PG Tyrese Maxey is in the midst of a career year in which he’s averaged a career-best 28.6 PPG, while dishing out 6.8 APG. There are very few guards who are more dangerous with the ball going downhill than Maxey.
C Joel Embiid was also written off by many due to his chronic knee injuries, but he has had a phenomenal campaign. Combine that with the performance of rookie SG VJ Edgecombe, and the 76ers have quite an impressive trio that could wreak havoc in the East.
Philadelphia will also get the services of SF Paul George back in the lineup when he finishes serving a 25-game suspension prior to the postseason. It could be tough sledding against the likes of the Celtics and Knicks in the playoffs, but the Sixers have the talent to thrive when the lights are the brightest.
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Top NBA Finals Winners Futures on PrizePicks Team Picks
NBA team futures payouts are courtesy of PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can predict which NBA team will end up winning the NBA Finals and earn money if your pick is right. Below are the top picks that include both “No” and “Yes” payouts.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 1.56x No | 2.32x Yes
- Denver Nuggets: 1.11x No | 5.88x Yes
- San Antonio Spurs: 1.06x No | 7.69x Yes
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 1.04x No | 9.09x Yes
- Boston Celtics: 1.03x No | 10x Yes
- New York Knicks: 1.03x No | 10x Yes
- Detroit Pistons: 1.03x No | 10x Yes
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 1.01x No | 16.66x Yes
- Houston Rockets: 1.01x No | 16.66x Yes
- Los Angeles Lakers: 1.01x No | 22.22x Yes
- Philadelphia 76ers: 1.01x No | 22.22x Yes
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
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Make NBA Futures Picks on PrizePicks
With the NBA All-Star break officially in the rearview mirror, the league will be coming down the home stretch towards the playoffs and NBA Finals. Just go to the PrizePicks app, open Team Picks, predict which team you think can win the NBA title, and earn cash if you’re right.
Keep it here with the Playbook for continued NBA picks, predictions, futures, and more as the season moves along.
