2026 NBA Championship Odds: Houston Rockets Soar to Second-Best Chance After Trading for Kevin Durant
The Houston Rockets set the NBA offseason in motion a few hours before Game 7 by finally trading for Kevin Durant. Oddsmakers have boosted them from +1800 to +750 after the move, a massive jump to the second-best odds. Can Kevin Durant take them over the top in 2026? Matt MacKay discusses the trade and the latest Houston Rockets odds movement.
Matt MacKay - June 22, 2025, 2:30 PM EDT
5 Minute Read2026 NBA Championship Odds: Houston Rockets Soar to Second-Best Chance After Trading for Kevin Durant
The Houston Rockets have reportedly traded for superstar F Kevin Durant, moving their 2026 NBA Championship odds from +1800 to +750 in NBA futures markets. The 15-time NBA All-Star will be the face of this new-look Rockets roster.
Former Rockets G Jalen Green and F Dillon Brooks have been traded to the Phoenix Suns, along with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks. Houston C Alperen Sengun, PG Fred VanVleet and F Amen Thompson are set to join Durant after a collectively strong performance in 2025.
Handicapper Matt MacKay is here to analyze this trade and assess oddsmakers' reaction to the Houston Rockets in the 2026 NBA Championship futures market. Follow Matt's X account for more betting insight and free picks.
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2026 NBA Championship Odds
Houston Rockets 2026 NBA Championship Odds
Kevin Durant's trade to the Houston Rockets has considerably shortened the team's odds to win the 2026 NBA Finals. Swinging from +1800 to +750 is a testament to Durant's skillset, averaging 26.6 points per game with Phoenix during the 2024-2025 NBA season.
This will be Durant's fourth team since 2019, when he departed from the Golden State Warriors after helping their dynasty go back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. He won NBA Finals MVP during both of those victories.
The Suns had talent around Durant, but their inability to make noise in the playoffs has been viewed as a disappointment. After taking Phoenix to the West Conference Semifinals during the 2022-23 NBA season, Durant's squad regressed. The Suns lost in the First Round in 2024 before missing the playoffs after a pedestrian 36-46 regular season record this year.
The Rockets know that they are knocking on the door in a tough Western Conference. Their First Round loss as a favorite to a veteran Golden State team likely prompted a signing like Durant.
Green led Houston with 21 points per game this season, so giving him up in exchange for Durant shows the Rockets' confidence in their young front court tandem. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson both averaged at least 14.1 points per game in 2025, with Sengun averaging a double-double with 10.3 rebounds per game.
Houston added a bonafide scoring talent like Durant, loading up their front court even more heading into 2026. Fred VanVleet is a good point guard that can create plenty of opportunities for the Rockets' newly-signed All-Star.
Currently, the Rockets have the second shortest odds to win the 2026 NBA Championship at +800. The Oklahoma City Thunder sit as a heavy favorite at +250, followed by the New York Knicks at +900 and Cleveland Cavaliers at +1100.
There's still value to grab on the newly constructed Rockets at +800. Injecting a veteran presence and a perennial All-Star like Durant into Houston's lineup could launch them into contention to win the 2026 NBA Finals.
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