If the Warriors’ dynasty isn’t dead, it’s going on hiatus.
Despite Kevin Durant’s potential departure and recently ruptured Achilles, Golden State had remained the consensus 2020 NBA title favorite in sportsbooks entering Game 6 of The Finals. Klay Thompson’s torn ACL changed that.
Now, the three-time champion Warriors sit behind eight other teams with better odds (via William Hill) to capture the next championship. Likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks (6/1) are considered the favorites to bring home the franchise’s first title in nearly five decades, following their Eastern Conference finals meltdown against the Raptors. The uncertainty of Toronto re-signing NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard leaves the Raptors (8/1) with slightly worse odds to win back-to-back crowns.
With the Warriors (15/1) expected to take a massive step back without Thompson and Durant — for all, or most, of next season — James Harden and the Rockets (8/1) could be the biggest beneficiaries. Houston lost to the five-time defending Western Conference champions in tightly contested series the past two postseasons.
The other favorites are expected to be the offseason’s biggest winners.
Despite losing in the first round of this year’s playoffs, the Clippers (7/1) could make a huge leap by bringing Leonard back home to Los Angeles, while LeBron James’ playoff-less first year with the Lakers (10/1) could lead into his ascent back atop the league should the team acquire disgruntled superstar Anthony Davis from the Pelicans.
The young cores of the 76ers (12/1) and the Celtics (12/1) will be back in the postseason regardless of what happens this summer, but Las Vegas won’t be caught unprepared if the Nets (20/1) or Knicks (22/1) cash in during free agency, too.