The Golden State Warriors, not the champion Cleveland Cavaliers, head into an intriguing offseason as the favorites in Las Vegas to win the 2018 NBA title.
The Cavaliers pulled off one of the best comebacks in NBA history by rallying from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals to dethrone the Warriors with a Game 7 victory. But the Westgate SuperBook has Golden State as the favorite, at 7-4, to win the 2018 NBA Championship. The Cavs are next, at 5-2, followed by the San Antonio Spurs at 6-1 and Oklahoma City Thunder at 8-1.
Golden State couldn't cap off a record-breaking season with a second straight championship, but it returns the core of its roster. Harrison Barnes, a regular starter for the Warriors, is among the team's restricted free agents, and key bench contributor Marreese Speights is an unrestricted free agent. However, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are under contract and expected to return. Curry will be an unrestricted free agent in 2018, in time for an expected increase of the salary cap.
Big names could be on the move this summer, though, most notably the Thunder's Kevin Durant, an unrestricted free agent. Westgate oddsmaker Jeff Sherman said the Thunder's 8-1 odds are reflective of Durant's returning to Oklahoma City. Sherman noted that the SuperBook is taking lower limits on the 2018 future bets "until after the free agency period gets going and there is more clarity."
Cleveland is the clear-cut favorite in the Eastern Conference. James has a player option to stay with the Cavs. Cleveland is the only Eastern Conference team with single-digit odds to win next year's title. The Boston Celtics are 20-1, and the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are each listed at 25-1.