The new NBA season commences on October 21st, ushering in a plethora of betting opportunities. These range from individual accolades like MVP and Rookie of the Year to predictions for the NBA championship winner. So, which wagers are considered the most promising? We consulted our NBA betting experts – André Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, and Steve Alexander – asking them to name their favorite futures bets for the 2025-26 season.
Expert Picks and Analysis
Luka Dončić to Win MVP (+425)
This bet might not yield an astronomical payout, but Luka Dončić is exceptionally motivated after his surprising trade to the Lakers last season. With LeBron James sidelined at the start of the season due to injury, Dončić has every opportunity to become the team`s primary offensive engine for the foreseeable future. He is expected to contend for the league`s scoring title and could very well average a triple-double this season. Should the Lakers perform well, Dončić will be a strong contender for the MVP award, and in my opinion, he will indeed win it.
Luka Dončić to be Points Per Game Leader (+625)
Last season, following his move from Dallas, Dončić averaged 28.2 points per game. However, in his first full season with the Lakers, we can anticipate even greater confidence and aggression from him. It`s worth remembering that Dončić led the league in scoring during the 2023-24 season with 33.9 PPG – not so long ago! Furthermore, as previously noted, LeBron is missing the start of the season, and few expect Deandre Ayton to pick up his scoring slack. This is truly Luka`s team! Perhaps considering a bet on him winning the MVP race (+425) would also be wise!
Giannis Antetokounmpo to Win Regular-Season MVP (+1300)
At these odds, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains somewhat undervalued, yet he possesses a genuine chance to reclaim the award. He`s coming off two consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. In 14 games played without Damian Lillard, his stats climbed to 31.1 PPG and 7.9 APG. With Lillard now gone and Myles Turner providing floor spacing, Giannis will handle the ball more than ever. In a potentially weaker Eastern Conference, Milwaukee is poised to secure numerous victories, and Antetokounmpo could deliver undeniable statistics that firmly place him back in the MVP conversation.
Atlanta Hawks to Win the Southeast Division (+160)
While this might not offer a colossal return, the Hawks are undeniably deeper and more dynamic than last season. They arguably possess a superior path to evolving into a genuine two-way powerhouse compared to Orlando, which struggles with shooting and playmaking. With all due respect to the Hawks team that surprisingly advanced past Philadelphia to the Eastern Conference Finals, the current roster appears to be the strongest yet in the Trae Young era.
Minnesota Timberwolves to Make the Western Conference Semifinals (+350)
The Minnesota Timberwolves quietly stand as one of the Western Conference`s elite teams, though their excellence isn`t always apparent, largely due to their being merely the sixth seed last season. Two seasons ago, they shared the best record in the Western Conference with the Thunder and Nuggets heading into the final day of the regular season, subsequently reaching the Western Conference Finals. Last season, they traded key player Karl-Anthony Towns for a package including Julius Randle just before the season began, struggling for several months before finding their rhythm late in the championship. Following that, they emerged as one of the league`s hottest teams over the final couple of months, again making it to the Western Conference Finals. This offseason, they`ve retained their core roster, and team leader Anthony Edwards, at 24, is expected to improve further. As a unit, they should be significantly stronger this regular season than the last. With this wager, they are offered favorable odds to reach a stage they`ve surpassed for two consecutive seasons, and, provided they remain healthy, they are poised to do so again this season.
