NBA Futures Bets: Best Odds & Picks for 2022-23 Western Conference Champion
It’s the Warriors’ summer once again, as a Game 6 trouncing of the Celtics earned them their fourth NBA title in eight seasons, with Stephen Curry getting his long-awaited NBA Finals MVP. With the end of a season, comes the immediate start of another in the odds market, as NBA Futures are already starting to get posted.
Let’s take a closer look at two teams I think to have value in winning the Western Conference.
Check out our consensus and the odds at each sportsbook for NBA Champion >>
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Golden State Warriors (+300)
While this might be a boring pick, where exactly is the Warriors’ flaw?
Captained by the best shooter in the history of the NBA, who evidently is still very much in his prime, the Warriors are also led by now solidified top-five coach in NBA history, Steve Kerr. While the Big Three of Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson are already likely enough to get this team deep in the postseason every year, the emergence of Jordan Poole and improvements of Andrew Wiggins make this team a threat for years to come.
While Wiggins and defensive stud Gary Payton II have player options to consider this postseason, my bet is they both take slightly less money for a great chance to repeat with this Warriors team. If it remains intact, I don’t see any moves another team could make to beat the Warriors out of the West.
Los Angeles Clippers (+400)
One team that I think can at least compete with the Warriors when fully healthy, is the Los Angeles Clippers. After missing the entire last season rehabbing a torn ACL, Kawhi Leonard is expected back, and when both are fully healthy, the duo of Leonard and Paul George is as good as any in the league. Bringing in Norman Powell and Robert Covington this season gave the Clippers a spark that carried them into the postseason, and if Reggie Jackson can reproduce his 2022 efficiency, the Clippers have a real team on their hands.
They’re also coached by one of the more underrated coaches in the league, Ty Lue, who brings an experienced staff back next season that I’d put up against any in the league. With Luke Kennard and Terance Mann also taking big steps forward in 2022, don’t be surprised to see the Clippers in the conversation late into the 2023 season.
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