2 NBA teams that just increased their championship odds

In the past couple of months of the NBA offseason, we have seen teams fall out of championship contention, and others rise into the conversation. In an offseason highlighted by multiple blockbuster deals and a superteam formed in Philadelphia, the majority of the big moves had already been made. Yet, there were still a few All-Stars to be claimed.

For the most part, NBA fans had an idea of who the contenders were going to be this season. That was until Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan each found new homes for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season.

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New Ray Allen in Miami?

Mar 30, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) looks on from the bench during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Heat made news that shook the NBA world earlier this offseason, trading draft capital and young talent for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. This immediately put the Heat into contention, yet they had no significant talent outside of their frontcourt duo of Giannis and Bam Adebayo.

That all changed Sunday morning when five-time All-Star Klay Thompson signed with Miami on a two-year, $11.5 million contract. Klay has spent the past two seasons playing in Dallas and, though he is past his prime, he still holds plenty of value due to his shooting ability.

Klay has a career average of 41 percent from beyond the arc and is fourth on the all-time three-point makes list, around 80 three-pointers behind Ray Allen. Miami was lacking offensive help in the backcourt and they just got that in Thompson.

Bam and Giannis will still carry the offensive load, but Klay Thompson might be the addition they need to push them over the hump.

Nuggets add another elite scorer

Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) before the game against the LA Clippers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) The Denver Nuggets won their first, and only, NBA championship in 2023. It looked like no one was going to be able to stop them anytime soon, as Nikola Jokic looked like the most unguardable player in NBA history.

Though Jokic’s production hasn’t dropped, the Nuggets were dethroned by both the Spurs and the Thunder as the kings of the West. It looked like Jokic and Jamal Murray carrying the offensive load wasn’t enough to win more NBA championships.

They needed another prominent scorer, and they just got one.

They signed DeMar DeRozan to a one-year veteran minimum contract. DeRozan is one of the best mid-range scorers in the game today and has had some dominant years in the past. He averaged 18 points last season for the Sacramento Kings, showing he still has a lot left in the tank.

Adding another scorer to take offensive pressure off Jokic and Murray is exactly what the Nuggets need to propel them to the top of the Western Conference.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →