[h=1]Despite Finals loss, Golden State Warriors are favorites in 2017[/h]David PurdumESPN Staff Writer
The Golden State Warriors, not the champion Cleveland Cavaliers, head into an intriguing offseason as the favorites to win the 2017 NBA title in Las Vegas.
The Cavaliers pulled off one of the best comebacks in NBA history, 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 the Golden State as the favorite, at 7-4, to win the 2017 NBA Championship. The Cavs are next at 5-2, followed by the San Antonio Spurs at 6-1 andOklahoma City Thunder at 8-1.
Golden State couldn't cap off a record-breaking season with a second straight championship, but 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 2017, 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 returning to Oklahoma City. Sherman noted, though, that the SuperBook is taking lower limits on the 2017 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.
Houston center Dwight Howard, Detroit center Andre Drummond and Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan are among the other free agents that could have an impact on next season's championship odds.
The Brooklyn Nets, at 500-1, head into the offseason as the biggest longshots on the board.
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The Golden State Warriors, not the champion Cleveland Cavaliers, head into an intriguing offseason as the favorites to win the 2017 NBA title in Las Vegas.
The Cavaliers pulled off one of the best comebacks in NBA history, 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 the Golden State as the favorite, at 7-4, to win the 2017 NBA Championship. The Cavs are next at 5-2, followed by the San Antonio Spurs at 6-1 andOklahoma City Thunder at 8-1.
Golden State couldn't cap off a record-breaking season with a second straight championship, but 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 2017, 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 returning to Oklahoma City. Sherman noted, though, that the SuperBook is taking lower limits on the 2017 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.
Houston center Dwight Howard, Detroit center Andre Drummond and Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan are among the other free agents that could have an impact on next season's championship odds.
The Brooklyn Nets, at 500-1, head into the offseason as the biggest longshots on the board.
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| TEAM | OPENING ODDS | CURRENT |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 3-2 | 7-4 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 5-2 | 5-2 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6-1 | 6-1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 8-1 | 7-1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 16-1 | 16-1 |
| Boston Celtics | 20-1 | 20-1 |
| Miami Heat | 25-1 | 25-1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 25-1 | 25-1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 40-1 | 40-1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 40-1 | 40-1 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 60-1 | 60-1 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 60-1 | 60-1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 60-1 | 60-1 |
| Houston Rockets | 60-1 | 60-1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 80-1 | 80-1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 100-1 | 80-1 |
| Utah Jazz | 80-1 | 80-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 100-1 | 80-1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 100-1 | 80-1 |
| Washington Wizards | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 80-1 | 100-1 |
| New York Knicks | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Phoenix Suns | 300-1 | 300-1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 500-1 | 500-1 |
<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(39, 39, 39); height: 44px; line-height: 2.8; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">2017 NBA Title Odds</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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