The results of Deandre Ayton’s free agency could change things a tad, but after the Golden State Warriors wrapped up the 2021-22 NBA title on Thursday night, the center’s Phoenix Suns are right in the mix of contending teams looking ahead to next year, according to FanDuel’s sportsbook.
Phoenix has the sixth-best odds (+950) to win the championship next season.
Golden State is the current title favorite (+460), while the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics come in second (+650).
After that, the Brooklyn Nets (+700), Milwaukee Bucks (+750) and Los Angeles Clippers (+850) have more favorable odds than the Suns.
Behind Phoenix are the Miami Heat (+1500), Philadelphia 76ers (+1600), Denver Nuggets (+1700) and the Dallas Mavericks (+1900).
Among the offseason storylines that could reshape that order are Ayton’s restricted free agency and rumblings that Kyrie Irving’s time with the Nets could be ending this offseason. The health of Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is another looming question.
As for NBA MVP odds, the Suns’ Devin Booker is tied with the Lakers’ LeBron James for the ninth-best odds (+2800).
Mavericks star Luka Doncic (+500) and 76ers center Joel Embiid (+550) are first and second.
Behind them are Milwaukee All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo (+700), Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant (+1000) and Denver center Nikola Jokic, (+1200), who is the reigning MVP.