The NBA season is set to begin on October 21st, ushering in a plethora of betting opportunities. These range from individual player accolades like MVP and Rookie of the Year to predictions for the ultimate NBA champion. To identify the most promising wagers, we consulted our team of NBA betting experts: André Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, and Steve Alexander. They`ve shared their top futures bets for the 2025-26 season.
Luka Doncic to win MVP (+425)
Steve Alexander: While not an astronomical payout, this bet on Luka Doncic holds significant potential. Following his unexpected trade to the Lakers last season, Doncic is expected to play with immense motivation. With LeBron James facing early-season injuries, Luka is poised to carry a substantial load, potentially leading the league in scoring and even averaging a triple-double. If the Lakers have a strong season, Doncic will be a prime candidate for MVP, and I believe he`ll secure the award.
Luka Doncic to be Points Per Game Leader (+625)
Eric Karabell: After averaging 28.2 PPG post-trade last season, we anticipate a more settled and assertive Doncic in his first full campaign with the Lakers. It`s worth recalling that he led the league with 33.9 PPG just two seasons prior (2023-24). With LeBron sidelined early and Deandre Ayton not a primary scoring threat, the Lakers` offense will undoubtedly revolve around Luka. Considering this, taking him for MVP (+425) also seems like a smart move!
Giannis Antetokounmpo to win Regular Season MVP (+1300)
Eric Moody: Giannis Antetokounmpo is a dark horse at these odds but possesses a legitimate chance to reclaim the MVP title. He`s coming off consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. In 14 games without Damian Lillard, those numbers rose to 31.1 PPG and 7.9 APG. With Lillard`s departure and Myles Turner providing floor spacing, Giannis will command the ball more than ever. Given a potentially weaker Eastern Conference, Milwaukee is expected to secure numerous wins, and Antetokounmpo`s stats could be undeniably dominant, propelling him back into MVP contention.
Atlanta Hawks to win the Southeast Division (+160)
Jim McCormick: While not offering an enormous payout, this bet on the Hawks is compelling. Atlanta enters the season with a deeper and more dynamic roster than last year, arguably presenting a clearer path to becoming a formidable two-way team compared to Orlando, which struggles with shooting and playmaking. This current Hawks squad, in the Trae Young era, appears to be their strongest iteration yet, even surpassing the team that made the Eastern Conference Finals after upsetting Philadelphia.
Minnesota Timberwolves to Make the Western Conference Semifinals (+350)
André Snellings: The Timberwolves are a formidable, yet often underestimated, force in the Western Conference. Their sixth-seed finish last season might obscure their true prowess. Just two seasons ago, they concluded the regular season tied for the best record in the West with the Thunder and Nuggets, subsequently reaching the Western Conference Finals. Last season, a pre-season trade sending Karl-Anthony Towns away for a package including Julius Randle led to initial struggles, but the team ultimately found its rhythm, finishing strong and once again advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
Maintaining their core roster this offseason, and with Anthony Edwards poised for further growth at age 24, the team is expected to be significantly stronger this regular season. This bet offers favorable odds for them to achieve a playoff round they`ve already exceeded in the past two seasons, a feat they are well-positioned to repeat if healthy.
Rupert Hollis