There is no better time to bet on NBA futures than immediately after the February trade deadline. And yes, this includes all wagers on who will win the 2023 NBA Finals.
Plenty of people won't agree. They will prefer just after free agency, before the season ever starts. That's when the betting odds to win the NBA Finals are at their most lucrative. They're not technically wrong, either. For most teams, online NBA futures almost always offer higher payouts when we've yet to see anyone play actual games.
Still, there is value in information. By this point of the season, we have a better hold of the contenders, the dark horses and the pretenders. While that inherently drives down certain odds to win the NBA Finals, it increases our capacity to make accurate predictions. Throw the trade deadline into that equation, and you're essentially getting the best of both worlds. Linemakers are shifting odds all around to account for intense player movement, which increases their variability, but you've also seen more than half the schedule play out, so you're not working off blind samples.
This is all to say: We're big believers in betting NBA futures right now. So, without further ado, here are the latest NBA online betting odds to win the 2023 Finals:
| To Win 2023 NBA Finals |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | +270 | +275 | +270 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +410 | +500 | +410 |
| Phoenix Suns | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Denver Nuggets | +750 | +750 | +750 |
| L.A. Clippers | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1400 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1600 | +1500 | +1600 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +1800 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +2100 | +2000 | +2500 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +3000 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +5500 | +3000 | +5500 |
| Miami Heat | +5500 | +5500 | +5500 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +5500 | +5500 | +5500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +13000 | +13000 | +7500 |
| Sacramento Kings | +13000 | +13000 | +15000 |
| Toronto Raptors | +16000 | +16000 | +16000 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +16000 | +16000 | +16000 |
| New York knicks | +21000 | +20000 | +20000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +24000 | +25000 | +25000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +24000 | +25000 | +25000 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +37000 | +25000 | +25000 |
| Utah Jazz | +49000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Orlando Magic | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Washington Wizards | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +50000 | +50000 | +100000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +50000 | +100000 | +100000 |
| Houston Rockets | +50000 | +100000 | +100000 |
| Detroit Pistons | +50000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Remember to double-check these online NBA betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our 2023 NBA Finals betting odds are accurate entering Friday, February 10. These NBA futures will not pay out until June. That gives bookmakers plenty of time to tweak the markets based on games played, injuries, the playoff field, etc.
Of course, you don't have to worry about any changes to NBA futures betting if you link up with a top-notch sportsbook. That's why we recommend checking out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. These extensive guides will direct you toward the best online NBA betting sites in the business with zero hassle.
So, who are the best bets to win the 2023 NBA Finals? And for our money, which is the one team we're picking to win it all? The trade deadline didn't change everything, but it did warp a whole lot.
Should the Boston Celtics Still be Favorites to Win the 2023 NBA Finals?
The Boston Celtics (+270) have the best record in the league and just fortified their frontcourt rotation with the addition of Mike Muscala. Their odds shifted a bit following a facial injury to Jaylen Brown, but he's expected back in time for the postseason.
Failing any major changes to player availability, Boston remains the safest bet to come out of the Eastern Conference. That makes them a great NBA Finals bet.
Did the Los Angeles Lakers Trade Their Way Into NBA Title Contention?
We have declared many times in this space that the Los Angeles Lakers (+5500) are fool's gold on the 2023 NBA Finals betting market. Their exposure is inflated by their fan base's ubiquity.
However, there is more authenticity to their pursuit now. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both healthy, and they just acquired D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley at the trade deadline.
We wouldn't classify L.A. as favorite material, but they're a quality dark horse wager. And that's more than we could say before.
Better Bet to Win the 2023 NBA Finals: Memphis Grizzlies or Dallas Mavericks?
Don't fall for the Dallas Mavericks (+2100) elevating themselves in the championship discussion after landing Kyrie Irving. The betting market already did, and it's a mistake.
Kyrie is a fantastic basketball player, but his availability and impact on team dynamics remain in big question. On top of that, Dallas' defense projects to stink after dealing Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Memphis Grizzlies (+1800) are the much smarter wager. There continue to be concerns about their half-court offense and outside shooting, but they beefed up both by netting Luke Kennard from the L.A. Clippers at the NBA trade deadline.
Best Dark Horse Bet to Win 2023 NBA Finals
Sign us up for the New Orleans Pelicans (+5500) in this spot. They have seen their odds plummet in the wake of injuries, but it was just a few short weeks ago they were contending for a top-two spot in the Western Conference.
If this team stays healthy, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum absolutely make it a championship threat.
Official 2023 NBA Championship Prediction
All along, we have maintained the Denver Nuggets (+750) should be the NBA title favorites. That's all changed now following the 2023 NBA trade deadline.
The Phoenix Suns (+500) sent shockwaves through the league by acquiring Kevin Durant, who was considered one of the three favorites to win MVP before suffering an MCL injury. Pairing him with Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul all but guarantees Phoenix will have the Association's best offense, and they should be able to cobble together enough defense to be a two-way force.
Other teams are worth consideration, including the Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks (+410) and Philadelphia 76ers (+1400).
For our money, though, we're rolling with the newest superteam while they still pay out 5-to-1.
Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all of your NBA betting:
Online Sports Betting © 2024