2022-23 NBA Finals odds, predictions, picks, long shot contenders

The NBA has seen a shift toward a more competitive balance in recent years. Long-shot bets in the futures market have almost made a fortune recently. No team has ever won the NBA Championship after entering the season at 30/1 or longer.

Minnesota Timberwolves are long shot contenders for the NBA Finals. They have a promising young team with Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. Last season, the Timberwolves boasted the best offensive rating after Jan. 1. They also have the league's best defense.

New Orleans Pelicans are +4000. They have two young superstars CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram and one of the best young coaches in the league. The Pelicans also saw the emergence of Herb Jones and added raw guard Dyson Daniels this offseason. Zion Williamson's health has capped his upside through three seasons.

Atlanta Hawks are a 50/1 long shot to win the NBA Finals. They reached the conference finals in 2020-21 and last year's team was beset by injuries. Trae Young is coming off a career year in which he led the league in points (2155) and assists (737). Dejointe Murray is a two-way star who will play alongside Young. De’Andre Hunter and John Collins should play more this year. Atlanta traded three first-round picks for Murray.