The Denver Nuggets capturing the first NBA title in franchise history put some members of the league on notice. A 47-year championship drought is over, thanks to Nikola Jokic and a team that might have a lot of staying power. It’s undoubtedly a glorious moment of reprieve for a fanbase seeking that one moment of joy for almost half a century.
And a question those mentioned organizations should be asking themselves is: When’s our turn?
The NBA is not like other major American sports leagues. The teams with the cream-of-the-crop stars are most often the ones vying for championships. There isn’t a lot of room for parity. However, including the Nuggets, we’ve now seen five consecutive different title winners since 2019.
It stands to reason that if the Nuggets don’t repeat, someone else could be ending a (relatively) agonizing title drought of their own next summer.
Here are seven NBA teams poised to end their championship drought next summer. All title odds are courtesy of me!
Grab Your BetMGM Bonus Code Offer Now
7
Detroit Pistons (+3500)
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
Title drought: 19 years (2005)
The Pistons haven’t won a title since the Rasheed Wallace-Chauncey Billups era. That’s a shame considering the culture of Detroit (pretend I’m saying it for emphasis) basketball. I don’t necessarily think the Pistons will be a title contender overnight. But hiring Monty Wiliams to maximize a promising core of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey makes this a fascinating squad to watch.
The Pistons could be a force to be reckoned with, and soon.
6
Minnesota Timberwolves (+2200)
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Title drought: 34 years (Never won)
I understand if it’s hard to remember, but the Timberwolves actually gave the defending champion Denver Nuggets a lot of trouble — albeit in a five-game series. Anthony Edwards is a superstar I’d love to build around if I were a general manager, and I think their current roster only needs some “minor” tweaks here and there to be a powerhouse. That and fewer disappearing acts from Karl-Anthony Towns.
5
Philadelphia 76ers (+1400)
Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Title drought: 40 years (1980)
The 76ers will likely do what they always do next year. They’ll win 50-plus games. They’ll coast through the Eastern Conference, winning the occasional heavyweight fight against other contenders. None of that is in question.
What creates Philadelphia skepticism is how Joel Embiid — who may be without James Harden moving forward — responds against playoff defense. The reigning MVP is nearly 30 years old and still has no answer for the requisite double-team to get the ball out of his hands.
Philadelphia will be a title contender as long as Embiid wears its uniform. But until Embiid proves his playoff offense, that contending status is only on paper.
4
Phoenix Suns (+800)
AP Photo/Matt York
Title drought: 55 years (Never won)
Compared to most of their peers, the Suns have an embarrassment of riches. Few organizations can match the star/scoring power of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. But what will determine whether Phoenix can get over the hump is depth. Everyone knows Booker and Durant will get theirs. The Suns’ latest title hopes ended this year because they had no one else they could reliably count on, even to do the little things.
Booker and Durant might be capable of scoring 80-plus points combined, but basketball is a five-person game, not two. This roster needs more role-playing shooters and glue guys before Booker and Durant can even get close to the Finals stage together.
3
Sacramento Kings (+600)
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Title drought: 72 years (Never won)
Last year’s Kings will not be a one-year wonder. Between De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and rising young pieces like Keegan Murray, Sacramento should be “lighting the beam” for a while. This team, as constituted, could probably compete for a title now that it has playoff experience.
If the Kings go out and sign someone like, say, Bruce Brown as added (and needed) depth, watch out. There’s a real Western titan brewing here.
2
Miami Heat (+250)
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Title drought: 10 years (2014)
The Nuggets might have run the Heat off the court in the NBA Finals, but this team is built to last. Not only is Erik Spoelstra the league’s best coach, but this squad is impeccably battle-tested with one of the great playoff performers of all time (Jimmy Butler) and a top-three center (Bam Adebayo).
All Miami really needs is a consistent alpha scorer. Someone who could slide Butler to a No. 2 role while letting Adebayo crash the paint. Can anyone say … Damian Lillard?
1
Boston Celtics (+150)
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Title drought: 15 years (2009)
Until further notice, the Celtics will enter every season as the presumed overall favorite. Even as they try to finagle a future with two potential super-max players — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — that’s a great problem to have. You know, two super-max players worthy of such contracts.
Boston’s issue has been closing teams out in the playoffs while playing with its food too much. If/when the Celtics ever drop this strange instinct, the city with the NBA’s richest tradition may hang another banner in the rafters.
