Super-Early NBA Title Staff Picks For 2022-2023

The BetQL staff finds the best early values to win the NBA title next season

Super-Early NBA Title Staff Picks For 2022-2023

Lucy Burdge: Milwaukee Bucks +750 at Caesars
This is difficult to think about coming off a horrendous Celtics loss in the NBA Finals, but I think Boston has a lot of work to make it back to the NBA Finals. And I would never count out the Bucks to win a championship. I know one thing, Giannis Antetokounmpo would never play a Finals Game 6 the way Jayson Tatum did this year. He dominates in everything he does and I don’t see him letting his Bucks lose in the playoffs next season the way they did to the Celtics in the playoffs this year. As long as they have Giannis, I think the Bucks have a great chance to win the Finals next season.

Dan Karpuc: Golden State Warriors +600 at DraftKings
As a Celtics fan, I admit I’m bitter about making this pick, but it’s very difficult not to love Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green’s outlook again next season. Andrew Wiggins emerged as a legitimate star in the playoff run; James Wiseman will be back healthy after missing a full year due to injury; Jordan Poole will have a whole offseason to grow, as will Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. It’s also probable that this squad is able to land a veteran or two who want to chase a ring at a discounted price in free agency to create even more depth. Sure, injuries can always happen and derail things, but I trust this team much more than any other franchise.

Brad Pinkerton: Suns +1000 at BetRivers

Man, that was depressing reading the Celtics fans' title picks. It almost makes me want to pick Boston here to make them feel better. But, you'll never get good value on futures odds for teams that just played in the championship, so I'll wait to see if the Celtics (and Warriors) falter a bit early next season. In the meantime, I'll lock in +1000 odds on the team with the best record in the NBA this past season to take that next step in 2023 after falling to the Warriors in this year's conference finals and to the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals. Phoenix has a solid core, a good mix of youth and experience, and a rising superstar in Devin Booker. All they need now is a little backcourt help for Chris Paul, who can't be expected to carry the offense all season at 37 years old. If it all clicks (again), this will look like incredible value on the Suns entering the playoffs next year.