Latest 2022 NBA Championship Odds as Training Camps Open

• Training camps and media days are underway across the NBA
• Vaccination controversy has dominated the NBA news cycle with several stars facing uncertain status this season
• Read below for the latest NBA title odds and an overview of the market as camp opens

Two stories were at the forefront as NBA players, coaches and executives spoke to the media on Monday: Vaccination and Ben Simmons.

Simmons’ hold out and likely trade will impact the NBA Championship odds – what the Sixers receive in return will have a major impact on the Eastern Conference. Vaccination is a league-wide issue with some players potentially unable to play in home games.

Tip off of the 2021-22 NBA season is a matter of days away. The league which specializes in drama has gotten off to a strong start. Once competitive action begins on the court, though, it’s a similar picture to early last season with the Lakers and Nets as the two title favorites closely followed by the Milwaukee Bucks.

2021-22 NBA Championship Odds

Odds as of Sep 28 at FanDuel

Talent Makes Nets Clear Favorites

The Nets nearly made the Conference Finals with one and a half stars on the court. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden are all healthy heading into 2021-22. Even if Irving is forced to miss games because of vaccination rules, Brooklyn is as good as locked into a top two seed in the Eastern Conference if Durant and Harden play 60+ games.

This team is even better than last season. Keeping Blake Griffin was a real bonus after his strong playoff performances. Steve Nash suddenly has options in the frontcourt with LaMarcus Aldridge returning and Paul Millsap joining from Denver. First-round pick Cameron Thomas has upside, and Patty Mills will be invaluable off the bench, particularly when one or more of the stars is unavailable.

Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving's vaccination status:

"I expect it not to be an issue. We trust in Kyrie and I expect us to have our whole team at some point." pic.twitter.com/DU4LbvbTHh

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 27, 2021

We know how good the fit is with this big three. Brooklyn have been title favorites all offseason. The Lakers’ big swing Russell Westbrook isn’t enough to change that – Los Angeles has more questions to answer than the Nets at this stage. Only time will tell how Westbrook fits with LeBron James and if their defense can remain elite after losing so many key players on that end.

Ben Simmons Holds Out

Ben Simmons’ desire for a trade has resulted in a hold out. He didn’t turn up for Philly’s media day. Adrian Wojnarowski has reported Simmons never intends to play for the franchise again amid a complete breakdown in the relationship between the former first overall pick and the organization.

The Sixers’ title odds have been relatively unchanged, however. Daryl Morey’s demands for Simmons are a part of that. He wants an All-Star level talent if he’s to deal Simmons, and such a player would help Philly’s push in the Eastern Conference.

Simmons’ postseason struggles are also a factor. Having Simmons hasn’t helped the Sixers contend for a championship. If he was to miraculously decide he does want to play for the organization, it wouldn’t increase bettors’ confidence in Philly to go on a run.

Ben Simmons has ‘mentally checked out’ as a member of the 76ers, per @ShamsCharania

“Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle — and most of the team were set to take a jet to see Simmons before being turned away.” pic.twitter.com/kMMmkyckOy

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) September 25, 2021

The prospect of a trade for a star like Dame Lillard or Bradley Beal lingers for the Sixers. That would immediately elevate them in the NBA Championship odds, likely putting them above the Clippers, Suns and Jazz.

Denver & Dallas

The West is wide open this year. While the Warriors and Lakers lead the odds, there’s no guarantee that they will be elite teams in 2021-22. It’s hard to believe in the Jazz as a playoff team. Kawhi Leonard’s injury effectively rules out the Clippers. Phoenix will be competitive, but they do not have as big an upside as Dallas and Denver.

Nuggets have all five starters — Murray, Barton, Porter, Gordon, Jokic — under contract for the next two seasons. Denver will surely be in the luxury tax after this coming year once MPJ's extension kicks in. The time is now. https://t.co/mPUl39aZbp

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) September 27, 2021

The Nuggets will be without Jamal Murray until at least the second half of the year. This core can still hold the fort and keep them in the top six. Should Murray return and get fully healthy for the postseason, Michael Malone’s team will be a legitimate title contender. Murray, Will Barton, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon could be the best lineup in the league.

Dallas has a greater downside than Denver. Appointing Jason Kidd doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, Kristaps Porzingis must have a big-time bounce back, and they missed out on Kyle Lowry in the offseason.

Luka Doncic on being Vegas’ preseason MVP favorite: “I don’t care about that. … The team goal and my goal is to win the championship. That’s it.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 27, 2021

Even so, would it be a surprise if Luka Doncic establishes himself as the best player in the league this year? What if Porzingis stays healthy and rediscovers his two-way potential? A good first half could set them up for an impactful trade deadline addition.

Milwaukee and Brooklyn are a significant distance ahead of the rest in the East, but the equation is different in the West. At +2400 and +2900 respectively, the Nuggets and Mavericks are great dark horse options as training camp begins.