NBA Western Conference Winner Predictions & Odds: Champion Thunder Are the Early Favorites

• The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win the Western Conference after winning the 2025 NBA Championship!.

• The Houston Rockets are the top contenders after acquiring Kevin Durant.

• Last year’s Western Conference Champions were the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are your 2025 NBA Champions! But as soon as the 2025 NBA Playoffs ended, eyes shifted to the 2026 Western Conference title race.

The Champion Thunder are the favorites to win it again next season, but the newly reinforced Houston Rockets are the first to signal their intent to challenge them next season. But the West remains competitive, and teams like the Timberwolves, Lakers, and Nuggets will challenge for the conference crown as well.

As the race unfolds, the team at WSN will keep you covered with the latest NBA sportsbook promos and welcome offers to elevate your betting experience!

2026 NBA Western Conference Odds

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NBA Western Conference Winner Predictions

As has been the case for multiple seasons, the Western Conference is incredibly competitive. While there are standout teams throughout the regular season, the sheer quality and experience of teams ranked one through eight make every team a realistic contender for the conference crown. When the regular season ends, the NBA Playoffs are the final phase en route to naming the Western Conference champion.

Going into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Western Conference looks like it’ll be as competitive as ever! The NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder are the early favorites, led by 2025 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, the Houston Rockets have made their intent to challenge for the conference crown known, moving rising star Jalen Green for veteran NBA superstar Kevin Durant. After reaching the West Finals last season, Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves are among the top contenders. At the same time, the Los Angeles Lakers hope a full season with Luka Doncic at the helm will bring them within title contention. On the outside looking in are the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets, whose championship quality may be underestimated going into next season.

Also, check our NBA Draft odds and find the latest picks and predictions on who will join Cooper Flag in the first five picks.

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NBA Western Conference Winner - My Pick

Oklahoma City Thunder (+125) at FanDuel

There’s no reason to doubt the reigning NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder for now. They enter the 2025-26 NBA season led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who took home the NBA Finals MVP award en route to the Thunder’s first NBA Championship. They dominated the West last season, compiling a 39-13 record against the conference rivals through the regular season and playoffs. It’s still early in the offseason, and as things stand, the Thunder again look like the dominant outfit in the Western Conference.

While their rivals will make moves to improve and challenge for the conference crown next season, so will Oklahoma City. Led by one of the NBA’s most promising trios in Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren, the hierarchy in the West is set for now.

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How to Bet on the NBA Western Conference Winner

To bet on the NBA Western Conference Winner, select the team you believe will shine brightest in the Western Conference Playoffs. Consider both the favorites and the dark horses, analyzing their postseason potential, regular-season form, and the likelihood of helping their team reach—and possibly win—the Western Conference Finals. It's also smart to factor in which Western Conference team has the best shot at an NBA title and who their leading performers might be.

Sharp bettors track player performance closely throughout the playoffs, paying attention to early-round stats and how players have historically matched up against upcoming opponents. Since odds for the Western Conference Winner shift after every game, staying on top of player momentum, team form, and betting value is key. The winner of the Western Conference crown is sensibly one of the top contenders for the NBA Championship through the regular season–so keep an eye out as the regular season, and playoffs develop to make the most of your betting opportunities!

How to Read NBA Western Winner Odds

The NBA Western Conference Winner market is straightforward for bettors to understand. To make informed picks, consider each team's odds, potential path to the West Finals, and likelihood of securing the title.

Positive odds reflect how much you'd win on a $100 bet—so if The Oklahoma City Thunder are listed at +300, a winning wager would return $300. Higher positive odds suggest a lower chance of winning, but they offer a bigger payout.

On the other hand, negative odds point to favorites—if the Los Angeles Lakers are  -110 to win the Western Conference, you'd need to bet $110 to earn $100. As the playoffs unfold, odds can swing quickly based on game-to-game performances, so monitoring the market closely throughout the postseason is essential.

Where to Bet on the NBA Western Conference Winner

Many sportsbooks offer the opportunity to bet on the NBA Western Conference Winner; you need to choose the perfect one for you!

Caesars Sportsbook is a go-to option for NBA Western Conference Winner betting, thanks to its user-friendly mobile app and top-tier live betting features that let you wager in real-time. New users can take advantage of Caesars’ welcome promo by entering code WSNDYW during sign-up and claim: Bet $1, Get 10 100% Profit Boost Tokens.

FanDuel Sportsbook remains a favorite among basketball bettors. It offers a seamless experience for placing Western Conference Winner wagers. Known for its frequent promotions and strong odds, FanDuel gives new users: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

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NBA Western Conference Champion History

The NBA Western Conference Champion title has been a prestigious distinction since the NBA formally adopted the conference system in 1970–71. Historically, the Los Angeles Lakers have dominated this stage, with numerous appearances and championships led by legendary figures like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles doesn’t maintain the only dynasty, though, as the San Antonio Spurs in the 2000s and the Golden State Warriors in the 2010s, each leaving a lasting mark on the league.

The road to becoming Western Conference Champion is grueling, requiring teams to survive three playoff rounds in what has recently been the league’s most competitive field. Over the years, teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets have also captured the title, showcasing the depth of talent in the conference. Introducing the Oscar Robertson Trophy in 2022 added prestige to the title, honoring excellence and leadership. Winning the Western Conference is not just a ticket to the NBA Finals—it's a statement of dominance in one of the most competitive environments in professional sports.