The National Basketball Association represents the pinnacle of the sport. The game enjoys a global following, and there are some strong leagues in mainland Europe, but the focal point will always be North America.
Along with the college draft system, teams will scout for talent worldwide, making the NBA the most-watched and most valuable basketball competition.
Rising to the Top
The most valuable teams tend to compete at the top of the standings. Any franchise with a weak, low-value roster could potentially upset a big side, but it is far less likely to make it to the finals series.
The sportsbooks that publish markets throughout the regular and postseason reflect those values to an extent. With around two-thirds of the 2024/25 campaign completed, the NBA lines consistently show the Boston Celtics as favorites.
The chasing pack included the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the New York Knicks.
At this season stage, those odds are based on performances and standings in the respective Conferences. They tell us which franchises are most likely to win the championship, but are these the most valuable teams in the NBA?
Chasing the Leaders
The New York Knicks featured in that betting roundup, and this franchise carries significant value. The Knicks have won the NBA Championship twice, but their last success came back in 1973. They need a high-priced roster to end that long wait for a trophy.
At the end of 2024, the average value of an NBA team hit $4.6 billion, but the Knicks comfortably cleared that mark with a unit worth an impressive $8.3 billion. This New York franchise certainly has a talented roster, and the stats show that Jalen Brunson is the most effective player.
Other stars boosting the New York Knicks’ value include Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Miles McBride.
Behind the Knicks on the list, the Los Angeles Lakers are another team that exceeds an $8 million value. As of December 2024, this historically significant NBA franchise was valued at $8.07 billion.
The Lakers remain in contention for the 2025 NBA championship, and they have become one of the most successful franchises in the competition over time. Their win in 2020 was their 17th title, and only the Boston Celtics, with 18, have won more.
The trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Crypto.com Arena will likely boost that value even further, and the Lakers may even overtake the Knicks. Doncic adds to a powerful roster that includes the incomparable LeBron James.
Out in Front
The New York Knicks and the LA Lakers show impressive overall values but have ground to make up over the market leaders. At the very top of the standings, the Golden State Warriors claimed an overall value of $9.14 billion.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to dedicated hoops fans. Golden State was the team of the 2010s, winning three outright championships and five Conference titles in a row from 2015 to 2019.
The roster still contains players from Golden State’s golden era, but the biggest name of all is that of Stephen Curry. GSW’s star man holds several NBA records and is one of the highest-paid athletes in the game.
Ground to Make Up
We’ve seen that the Boston Celtics are the most successful franchise in the history of the NBA. Their most recent title came in 2024, and they are among the favorites this season, so it may be a surprise to learn that they rank in sixth place for value.
The Celtics remain above the NBA average, but the value of their team currently stands at a relatively modest $5.66 billion. Another title success in 2025 may lift those figures, but they’re unlikely to rise to the top anytime soon.
Other notable team values include the Brooklyn Nets at $5.7 billion, the Los Angeles Clippers at $5.68 billion, and the Miami Heat at exactly $5 billion. The stats show that success on the court doesn’t necessarily translate into squad value. Some teams invest heavily in their roster to compete with the more competitive units.
Many factors drive the value of an NBA franchise. Historically, some teams simply have a bigger fanbase than others. That leads to greater ticket sales, more merchandise purchases, and the team’s ability to pay more money to attract the best players.
The teams that enjoy the most success will attract more sponsors and advertisers. Revenue gained in this way can be used to invest further in the squad to build a legacy. It takes time to create value, but will the top-rated teams maintain their worth as the NBA progresses?
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