Ranking the NBA's Recent Champions: Who's Most Likely to Win Again?

Ranking the NBA's Recent Champions: Who's Most Likely to Win Again?

The NBA has entered a new era of parity, showcasing eight different champions over the last eight seasons. The champions include: Toronto Raptors (2019) Los Angeles Lakers (2020) Milwaukee Bucks (2021) Golden State Warriors (2022) Denver Nuggets (2023) Boston Celtics (2024) Oklahoma City Thunder (2025) New York Knicks (2026) This remarkable shift aligns with Commissioner Adam Silver's vision for increased competition across the league. As of June 14, 2026, the odds for the 2027 NBA title show: Oklahoma City Thunder: +250 San Antonio Spurs: +250 Boston Celtics: +600 New York Knicks: +750 Denver Nuggets: +2200 Detroit Pistons: +2500 Los Angeles Lakers: +3000 Minnesota Timberwolves: +3300 Houston Rockets: +3500 Cleveland Cavaliers: +3500 Ranking Recent Champions by Title Chances Oklahoma City Thunder: With a strong core and significant draft capital, they are favorites to add a second title. New York Knicks: The defending champions face financial challenges but have a sustainable core that excelled in the playoffs. Boston Celtics: Consistently high-performing, they need to improve their roster to remain contenders. Los Angeles Lakers: With Luka Dončić on board, they have potential but face uncertainty regarding their roster. Denver Nuggets: Despite Nikola Jokić's talent, they face constraints and possible roster changes. Golden State Warriors: Aging stars like Stephen Curry make them a risky bet despite their aggressive summer plans. Toronto Raptors: They showed promise but lack the resources to compete for a title in the near future. Milwaukee Bucks: Facing a potential rebuild, their chances hinge on Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the team. As the league evolves, the question remains whether any of these teams can secure a second championship before the streak ends.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-06-14