Thunder Face Elevated Pressure as NBA Contenders Eye Subtle Weaknesses
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With the 2025-26 NBA season two months away, several title favorites enter training camp confronting issues that could complicate championship aspirations despite favorable odds.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Championship odds: +225
Fresh off their first title, Oklahoma City returns every player except rookie guard Dillon Jones, who was moved to create a roster spot for No. 15 pick Thomas Sorber. Led by 27-year-old MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s youngest champion must adjust to nightly “best-shot” treatment from opponents and the heightened expectations that follow talk of a budding dynasty.
Denver Nuggets – Championship odds: +700
Denver bolstered its bench by adding Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown, but the club still must solve a defense that ranked 21st last season. A salary-motivated swap of Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson improved wing defense, yet forward Aaron Gordon’s health remains critical after soft-tissue injuries limited him to 51 games.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Championship odds: +800
Cleveland’s core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is intact, though postseason durability is a concern. Mitchell has worn down in back-to-back playoff runs, and the wing rotation—Dean Wade, De’Andre Hunter and Lonzo Ball—carries significant injury histories.
New York Knicks – Championship odds: +800
New coach Mike Brown inherits a lineup that struggled defensively when opponents targeted Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Center Mitchell Robinson, outstanding during stretches of last postseason, could start, but his workload must be managed after multiple injuries.
Houston Rockets – Championship odds: +850
Houston acquired 37-year-old Kevin Durant to replace leading scorer Jalen Green. The Rockets’ physical style will test Durant’s durability, while consistent backcourt shooting from Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson and second-year guard Reed Sheppard is still unproven.
Orlando Magic – Championship odds: +1500
Orlando addressed last season’s league-worst three-point shooting by trading for Desmond Bane and signing Tyus Jones. Depth remains thin on the perimeter after multiple departures, putting pressure on young guards Anthony Black, Tristan da Silva and Jett Howard to contribute.
Los Angeles Lakers – Championship odds: +1600
L.A. upgraded the center position by signing Deandre Ayton on a two-year, $16.6 million deal following his Portland buyout. Ayton’s postseason résumé is limited since 2023, and behind him are Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and small-ball option Jarred Vanderbilt—each with recent injury or usage concerns.
LA Clippers – Championship odds: +1800
Bradley Beal, Chris Paul and Bogdan Bogdanovic join James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, tipping the rotation toward offense. Defensive specialists Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. create spacing issues when paired, forcing coach Tyronn Lue to juggle offense-defense trade-offs. Newly signed forward John Collins is expected to help balance both ends.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Championship odds: +1800
Coach Chris Finch cited a need for more ball-handlers after a conference-final exit. With Nickeil Alexander-Walker in Atlanta and veteran Mike Conley declining, youngsters Rob Dillingham, Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. must play meaningful minutes behind stars Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.
Golden State Warriors – Championship odds: +2800
Golden State’s projected lineup features Jimmy Butler III (36), Draymond Green (36 in March), Stephen Curry (38 before playoffs) and pending free-agent target Al Horford (40 during the Finals). All four remained productive last season, but the franchise needs a leap from its younger tier to manage workloads and avoid another late-season fade.
The 2025-26 campaign opens in late October, leaving limited time for each contender to shore up the quiet concerns that could define their title chances.
Source: ESPN
