June 20, 2016
It hasn't even been 24 hours since the conclusion of the 2016 NBA Finals -- a thrilling 93-89 win for LeBron James and the Cavaliers -- and the NBA Draft is still a few days away, but we're already talking about next season.
Specifically, which team is most likely to win the title next year. Or, as we've recently become accustomed to in Philly, which team is least likely to win the title.
And for the first time in a few years, that team is not the Sixers -- despite not knowing who they'll take with their three first-round picks (including No. 1 overall) on Thursday night, the amount Joel Embiid will be able to contribute after missing the last two-plus seasons with injury, or the status of Croatian forward Dario Saric.
In each of the last three seasons (2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16), the Sixers entered the season with the worst odds to win the NBA championship -- albeit, for the most part, by design -- but according to Bovada.lv, that's not the case this year.
By no means, however, are their odds anything resembling good. They're still tied for the second worst in the NBA.
And there's also a slight surprise at the top of the list as well, with the reigning champs coming in second to the team they beat Sunday night to end Cleveland's title drought, the Golden State Warriors.
Here's a look at the full odds, via Bovada:
• Golden State Warriors: +200 | 2/1
• Cleveland Cavaliers: +225 | 9/4
• San Antonio Spurs: +750 | 15/2
• Oklahoma City Thunder: +850 | 17/2
• Los Angeles Clippers: +2000 | 20/1
• Boston Celtics: +2500 | 25/1
• Toronto Raptors: +2500 | 25/1
• Chicago Bulls: +3300 | 33/1
• Miami Heat: +3300 | 33/1
• Atlanta Hawks: +5000 | 50/1
• Houston Rockets: +5000 | 50/1
• Dallas Mavericks: +6600 | 66/1
• New Orleans Pelicans: +6600 | 66/1
• Charlotte Hornets: +7500 | 75/1
• Detroit Pistons: +7500 | 75/1
• Indiana Pacers: +7500 | 75/1
• Memphis Grizzlies: +7500 | 75/1
• Minnesota Timberwolves: +7500 | 75/1
• New York Knicks: +7500 | 75/1
• Portland Trail Blazers: +7500 | 75/1
• Washington Wizards: +7500 | 75/1
• Denver Nuggets: +10000 | 100/1
• Los Angeles Lakers: +10000 | 100/1
• Milwaukee Bucks: +10000 | 100/1
• Sacramento Kings: +10000 | 100/1
• Utah Jazz: +10000 | 100/1
• Orlando Magic: +12500 | 125/1
• Philadelphia 76ers: +15000 | 150/1
• Phoenix Suns: +15000 | 150/1
• Brooklyn Nets: +25000 | 250/1
These odds will likely change after the draft -- and again once the season gets closer -- so there's no guarantee that the Sixers won't open next season as the team least likely to win the title this year. But for now, they're out of the cellar.
Maybe not all the way out, but they at least have their foot on the first step up from the NBA's basement. As for Brooklyn, well, it ain't pretty...
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
