LOS ANGELES — The NBA season tips off in just over a week, and both Los Angeles teams are once again expected to be among the league’s elite. According to updated odds from BetOnline.ag, the Lakers and Clippers are listed among the top contenders to win the 2025–26 NBA championship.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter as the overall favorite at 9/4 (+225), followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets (both 13/2). The Lakers are next in a crowded tier at 14/1, tied with the Houston Rockets, and just ahead of the Clippers and Orlando Magic (both 16/1).
The updated lines reflect notable offseason shifts since free agency opened on July 1. The Thunder have tightened their odds as the consensus favorite, while the Lakers and Clippers remain firmly in the mix — both top-five teams in Western Conference futures.
In the Western Conference odds, the Thunder again lead the pack at 7/5 (+140), followed by the Nuggets (9/2), Rockets, Clippers, and Lakers, each listed at 9/1. The Minnesota Timberwolves (19/2) and Golden State Warriors (12/1) round out the next tier.
The Pacific Division is expected to be one of the NBA’s most competitive. The Clippers have overtaken the Lakers and Warriors as divisional favorites, moving from third to first since the summer. BetOnline now lists the Clippers at 7/5 (+140) to win the Pacific, followed by the Lakers at 2/1, Warriors at 5/2 (+250), Kings at 28/1, and Suns at 66/1.
While both Los Angeles teams are considered legitimate title threats, they arrive at the season with different storylines. The Lakers, led by first-year head coach JJ Redick, are expected to open without LeBron James, who will miss the start of the season for the first time in his 23-year career. The Clippers, meanwhile, enter with renewed optimism after a healthy offseason and improved continuity under Tyronn Lue.
Around the league, Cleveland and Denver remain top contenders in their respective conferences, while Houston and Orlando have emerged as fast-rising dark horses. The Bucks, once perennial favorites, have slipped to 50/1, while long shots such as Utah, Charlotte, and Washington sit at 1000/1.
The NBA’s opening week will feature all four major U.S. sports in action — a brief but beloved window for fans — before basketball takes center stage for the winter.