NBA 2026 Western Conference Odds: The Nuggets are Reloaded and Ready!
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Spread Astaire
- July 7, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Denver Nuggets To Win the Western Conference (+475) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The NBA used to be a sport in which dynasties thrived. The same teams would be at the top of the standings every season and rematches and rivalries in the NBA Finals were quite common. Now, with the advent of a strict salary cap, it is hard to repeat.
The NBA has not had a champion repeat in the last 7 years. So, this makes betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder this season a tough task; although if any team is equipped to repeat it would be the Thunder. A majority of their players are young and should still improve next year. They bring back key components of their team who have team-friendly salaries, and they have a number of draft picks to reload their team.
Regardless, this article will not be advocating a bet on the Thunder. So let’s take a look at the other teams you should be considering to make a winning NBA Western Conference pick at the top-rated sportsbooks.
Western Conference Odds
Redemption Season: Denver Refuses to Fade Away
The Denver Nuggets won the title in 2023, but since then they had a series of issues with injuries and player departures. The Nuggets also made a mess of their salary cap by extending Michael Porter Jr. with a high salary for which he was clearly not worth the money.
These mistakes and player departures have led to the Nuggets struggling to be relevant in true championship discussions. However, the Nuggets have arguably had the best offseason of any championship contender.
From Streaky to Steady
First, they jettisoned the aforementioned Michael Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson.
This was a huge move. Cameron Johnson is almost as good a shooter as Porter and is a much better defender. Johnson also understands how to fit in on the team and does not need his own shot in order to be engaged in the game. Oftentimes, if Porter’s shot wasn’t falling he would be worthless. Other times, when his shot was going in, he would also be a monster on defense and on the boards.
However, to compete for a championship, you need consistent performances from your highest-paid players every night. Michael Porter Jr. was simply not providing that. Being able to get rid of Porter Jr. for Cameron Johnson was a definite upgrade.
Mile High and Rising
The Nuggets also re-signed Bruce Brown who was huge in their 2023 title run.
Brown is a versatile defender who can play bigger than he is. This allows him to be active in post defense and on the glass for defensive rebounding. His versatility was greatly missed, and with him back in the lineup, the Nuggets look to be much better.
Finally, the Nuggets also added Tim Hardaway Jr., who is another excellent three-point shooter. Putting shooting around the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic, is a surefire way to improve an already lethal offense.
The Nuggets have done nothing but improve this offseason and are the best bet to make when looking at the NBA championship futures. The Nuggets almost beat the Thunder with their current team and they are much better now.
NBA Pick: Denver Nuggets To Win the Western Conference (+475) at BetOnline
Houston’s All-In—and They’re Not Looking Back
The other team that made a huge splash this offseason was the Houston Rockets, who acquired Kevin Durant without giving up too much in terms of this year’s team.
Yes, the Rockets did send out a first-round pick and Jalen Green; however, the addition of Durant definitely mitigates that issue. The problem with Green was his inability to consistently score in the playoffs. When Green had good nights shooting, the Rockets would get the win, but all too often, Green struggled from the field and the Rockets struggled to score.
That’s why they added proven crunch-time scorer Kevin Durant this offseason.
When the Window Cracks, You Smash It Open
While some might think giving up on a young talented player is too much, in the current NBA, where dynasties are not possible, when you have an opportunity to go for a championship you need to do it.
The Rockets felt they were pretty close. They finished second in the West last season and only fell to the Warriors because of the lack of half-court scoring. They added the best half-court scorer in the game in Kevin Durant. The Rockets addressed their issues and now should be able to put up a fight against anyone.
Our second play for the West will be obvious, but we’re going with the Houston Rockets to win the Western Conference.
NBA Pick: Houston Rockets To Win the Western Conference (+500) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
