The 2026-27 title race is wide open. The Spurs and Thunder opened as co-favorites at +270 at DraftKings, with the Knicks and 76ers next at +900. These 10 players have never won a championship but play for teams with a realistic path. Odds come from sportsbook boards and change often, so treat them as a snapshot.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs). He led San Antonio to the 2026 Finals before losing 4-1 to the Knicks. The Spurs are co-favorites. See our look at the Spurs’ contender case.
- Dylan Harper (Spurs). One of the young core players that oddsmakers expect to improve alongside Wembanyama.
- Stephon Castle (Spurs). The third member of that young San Antonio group.
- Joel Embiid (76ers). Philadelphia moved to +900 after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a roster with Embiid. Read about LeBron’s move to the 76ers.
- Tyrese Maxey (76ers). The other star in a team now seen as the East’s main challenger to the Knicks.
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons). Detroit was listed around +2500, a long shot but part of the East’s top tier.
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves). Minnesota was also around +2500.
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers). Cleveland was listed at +2200 in the preseason.
- Evan Mobley (Cavaliers). He shares that Cleveland path as the team’s other core piece.
- Luka Doncic (Lakers). The scoring champion’s Lakers were around +3500, a long shot even with him in form. Our piece on Doncic’s scoring race covers his season.
The best bets are the Spurs and 76ers players, but the field is deep and injuries can change the picture quickly. Sources show the Thunder, who already won in 2025, as the other favorite.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN, Sportsbook Review, Covers.