According to the NBA's survey among NBA GMs, the odds for who will be the champion this season are as follows.
Boston Celtics %83
Oklahoma City Thunder %13
Dallas Mavericks %3
I think the champion will be the Boston Celtics again. I would like the Dallas Mavericks to be the champion.
I hope we watch an enjoyable and exciting season.
Not based on the betting odds:
https://www.espn.ph/nba/futuresI think the odds are more accurate because they come from expert opinions, which are usually based on what the majority of people think.
As for that survey you mentioned, with "Boston Celtics 83%," that doesn’t seem accurate at all. I wonder how many people actually participated in that survey for it to end up with such percentage.
Gambling odds are definitely better predictors than a group of NBA GMs. I don’t think Boston repeats. I like the Bucks and the 76ers in the East over them. In the West I think it will be between Denver and Minnesota. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bucks beat the Timberwolves to win it all next year.
The Sixers have a chance to defeat the Celtics, but the Bucks? Their roster is currently the oldest one, and compared to the top teams in the East, heck they can't even compete with them. Without Giannis, the team is just an average team, and we saw that against Indiana last playoffs.
I might disagree with you with the fact that the Celtics can't repeat it because TBH, they have all the pieces to do it. Solid defenders, all-star players, a very deep bench, a very good coach. I mean they have it all and they've risked their future drafts and put themselves outside of the 2nd apron of the new CBA because they believe that with their current roster, they can win it all. I will not be surprised if they can win 2 titles out of the next 3 seasons (including the current one) because that's just how good they are. I just hope that injuries will not be their problem.
As for the West, I like the Thunder to win there or even the Timberwolves like you said. I don't think that the Mavericks can do it again.