2023-11-16 16:55:27
This could be LeBron James’ last stand.
This could be the season when the Denver Nuggets go back-to-back as NBA champions, becoming the first team since the Golden State Warriors to accomplish the historical feat.
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Nikola Jokic admires his 2022-23 NBA championship ring at the Nuggets’ ceremony
But the Boston Celtics are favored, the Los Angeles Clippers added James Harden, and Giannis Antetokounmpo now has a superstar small-market teammate in Damian Lillard.
It’s loaded at the top of both conferences and there’s no easy pick to win it all in 2023-24.
Here talkSPORT outlines the leading contenders to dethrone the Nuggets, from outsiders to the current favorite in the betting markets.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (Record: 5-6, Last NBA Championship: 2016)
The Cavaliers might seem like an odd pick to win it all — if you haven’t been paying attention to the NBA.
Donovan Mitchell is one of the premier scorers in The Association and has big-time playoff experience.
Cleveland went 51-31 a year ago, then hosted a first round Eastern Conference postseason series.
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Donovan Mitchell hopes to let the NBA know the Cavaliers are for real this yearCredit: Getty
The Cavs’ limitations were evident during a disappointing 4-1 defeat to the New York Knicks.
But this is a new season and Cleveland is a year wiser.
Mitchell will have to do most of the heavy lifting but the Cavaliers have the potential to take another big step this season.
NBA title odds: +2600 with FanDuel
9. Dallas Mavericks (Record: 9-3, Last NBA Championship: 2011)
Luka Doncic is the best Maverick since Dirk Nowitzki and has been fantastic for Dallas.
That’s not up for debate.
But is Kyrie Irving the right backcourt teammate for one of the NBA’s best young players?
Dallas failed to make the playoffs last season, despite adding Irving, and finished with a weak 38-44 record.
This year has started differently as Doncic tries to lift up the Mavs among the elite teams in the league.
The early returns are promising for Dallas but the Western Conference is packed at the peak.
NBA title odds: +2400
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Luka Doncic has championship talent but might need a better supporting cast
8. Los Angeles Lakers (Record: 6-6, Last NBA Championship: 2020)
The biggest question is whether LeBron James will win another NBA championship before he retires.
That also means it’s a serious question whether James will win his second ring as a Laker.
Los Angeles has struggled at the start of a new season, complaining about refs and dealing with injury issues.
But it’s a long 82-game season and the Lakers always seem to make moves to keep The King happy.
As much as it all comes down to James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer must receive full-time support from co-star Anthony Davis.
Throw in D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, and this is a good Lakers team.
To be championship great, James will have to still be a king in 2023-24.
NBA title odds: +2100
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LeBron James has started a new season staring up at the Western Conference againCredit: Getty
7. LA Clippers (Record: 3-7, Last NBA Championship: Never won)
James Harden is already on the clock.
Once the NBA’s most unstoppable scorer, Harden is on his fourth team since 2021 and must now help bring the Clippers their first NBA championship.
He has the supporting cast to do it — as long as an aging Los Angeles starting five can stay healthy from October through June.
Kawhi Leonard is the Clippers’ best player but randomly disappears in the offense.
Paul George, Russell Westbrook and Harden must remember that Los Angeles runs through The Klaw, and the Clippers are only winning it all if a healthy and happy Leonard dominates the hardwood.
NBA title odds: +1900
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The Clippers have only gone backward since trading for James HardenCredit: Getty
6. Philadelphia 76ers (Record: 8-3, Last NBA Championship: 1983)
James Harden is in Los Angeles, which has been a good thing for Joel Embiid and the 76ers.
The league’s reigning MVP is a walking stat machine and keeps improving.
Philadelphia also has a new head coach in Nick Nurse, after Harden helped force Doc Rivers out the door before also leaving Philly behind.
The 76ers have reached the Eastern Conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons.
Embiid deserves an NBA Finals stage.
With Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris backing The Process, there’s a path for Philly to even better without Harden holding onto the ball.
NBA title odds: +1600
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Joel Embiid, left, is the main man now that Harden is out of PhillyCredit: Getty
5. Golden State Warriors (Record: 6-6, Last NBA Championship: 2022)
The Warriors reminded the basketball world in 2022 that it was foolish to doubt them.
Two years later, doubt has returned, while Chris Paul now plays for Golden State, Andre Iguodala has retired and Klay Thompson is getting closer to free agency.
Draymond Green’s five-game suspension and nearly £1m fine hasn’t helped.
The good news for the dynasty by The Bay is that Stephen Curry is still shooting like Curry — when he’s healthy — and the Warriors have all season to find a way to get the best out of CP3.
This will be a serious test for head coach Steve Kerr.
If he passes, the Warriors will add a fifth trophy to their dynasty case.
NBA title odds: +1400
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The Warriors won their fourth NBA championship and are seeking a fifth this season
4. Phoenix Suns (Record: 5-6, Last NBA Championship: Never won)
This is the Kevin Durant and Devin Booker show but it all comes down to Bradley Beal.
Phoenix started 4-4, highlighting the slow process of integrating Beal into a roster that recently lost Chris Paul.
If Durant, Booker and Beal click at the same time, it’s easy to see the Suns winning the West and returning to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.
Phoenix doesn’t need to dominate the regular season.
The Suns must excel in the playoffs, and that’s where the Durant-Booker-Beal combo should be at its best.
NBA title odds: +650
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Kevin Durant is staring back at the last time he won it all with the WarriorsCredit: Getty
3. Denver Nuggets (Record: 9-2, Last NBA Championship: 2023)
The smart pick to win it all in 2023-24 is the same team that won it all last season.
Nikola Jokic is a nightly fantasy dream and started a new year by filling up the stat sheet with absurd numbers.
Even an early season injury to Jamal Murray shouldn’t get in the Nuggets’ way.
If anything, Denver will likely become stronger while deepening its rotation and promoting little-known names.
Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope round out a Nuggets unit that is well coached and already Finals tested.
NBA title odds: +440
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Nikola Jokic can beat opponents in a variety of ways and keeps improvingCredit: Getty
2. Milwaukee Bucks (Record: 7-4, Last NBA Championship: 2021)
Damian Lillard changed everything for the Bucks.
The former Portland Trail Blazers star also gives Giannis Antetokounmpo the type of scorer he’s never played with.
Milwaukee was one of several changed teams that played uneven ball at the start of a new season.
The Bucks might have the best 1-2 punch in the NBA, though, and the Greek Freak is just as motivated as Dame Time to bring another world championship to small-market Milwaukee.
Lillard has never been to the Finals.
Antetokounmpo can help bring him there and the duo have the potential to win it all in their first year together.
NBA title odds: +420
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Dame Lillard was traded from Portland to Milwaukee and gave the Bucks new hope
1. Boston Celtics (Record: 9-2, Last NBA Championship: 2008)
Boston has been favored since the offseason.
In a top-heavy league that features the Warriors, Suns, Bucks and Nuggets, the Celtics must prove they deserve the faith.
Jayson Tatum is one of the game’s best all-around players and was in the Finals two years ago.
Jaylen Brown is still his star teammate, while Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have been added to a tweaked Boston rotation.
Bench depth is a question mark and the 76ers have more inside power.
Betting odds favor the Celtics but they’ll have to prove themselves when it matters.
NBA title odds: +370
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