Another NBA season, another NBA title for the Golden State Warriors. And it looks like the 2018-19 season will end the same way, if oddsmakers are correct with their new slate of NBA Championship futures, which have the Dubs priced as +125 favorites to win their fourth title in five years.
If you can’t stand the thought of another Golden State championship or think time is running out on the Warriors, these bets below might be your play for the next NBA campaign. Here are some teams to watch for the 2018-19 NBA schedule:
Minnesota Timberwolves (+7,500)
As teams like the Warriors and Rockets gets older, and with accelerated miles on their tires due to deep postseason runs, the youth of the Western Conference will take over. Minnesota just so happens to have one of the most young and exciting cores in the entire league.
Led by Karl Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves had their first competitive season in a long, long time. Minnesota got a taste of postseason life in a five-game, opening round loss to Houston in the Western Conference playoffs, and will build upon that experience in the upcoming season. The T-Wolves need to tighten up on defense and find more reliable shooters from beyond the arc if they’re going to make that next jump up the West’s pecking order.
Los Angeles Lakers (+1,800)
This bet hinges all on LeBron James’ decision to test the free agent market, and then give L.A. the stamp of approval. The Lakers have a promising group of young players, specifically point guard Lonzo Ball, who already lobbied LeBron during their two meetings this past season.
Los Angeles could throw max money at James and still reel in more big-name free agents, especially if those guys are chasing a ring and sign on with the Lakers for less than their asking price. Paul George, Chris Paul, and a few others are rumored to be in backroom talks with LeBron about his possible landing place. This would be the first time King James crossed over to the West and would see him playing the Warriors multiple times per year.
New Orleans Pelicans (+7,500)
The Pelicans made leaps and bounds this season, stunning Portland in the first round of the playoff and pushing Golden State in the conference quarterfinals after a mad dash to make the postseason cut. Anthony Davis emerged as a top MVP contender, and put the team on his back when DeMarcus Cousins went down for the season. That’s right, New Orleans did it all without its second-best player.
There are rumblings that LeBron could make a move to the Big Easy or that other notable free agents could join the Pelicans’ cause. The team has a decision to make with Cousins, but could let him walk for a more balanced front court with the possible addition of George or James.
San Antonio Spurs (+2,200)
The end of the 2017-18 season was very un-Spurs like. Player motivation and turmoil with their star player was a huge drift in culture for one of the best-run franchises in pro sports. San Antonio’s front office and head coach Gregg Popovich won’t let that go on for long.
The Spurs are starting to move away from their veterans, and have shown up on the LeBron James rumor radar. Should they ink James and keep Kahwi Leonard, that would be a formidable defensive combo complemented by LaMarcus Aldridge in the middle. And if a chance to chase rings is there, the Spurs could get a steal on some value backcourt talents as well.
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