The 2025-26 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder sharing favouritism to win the championship at +270. The defending champion New York Knicks and the upgraded Philadelphia 76ers are next, both at +900. Although not every team is a contender, every side still offers a betting opportunity. NBA betting experts André Snellings and Eric Moody have each suggested a future bet on every team this season. Odds are from DraftKings and subject to change.
Snellings on the Eastern Conference
Atlanta Hawks
Bet: To make the playoffs (-145), to win the Southeast Division (+320)
The Hawks traded Trae Young on 7 January and went on to post a 29-15 regular-season record, the seventh best in the NBA over that span. In the playoffs they took a 2-1 lead over the eventual champion Knicks, the only team to win two games against New York this postseason. Atlanta returns the core that finished the season, led by budding star Jalen Johnson. It also added two contributors from the Oklahoma City Thunder championship team, Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins, along with lottery pick Kingston Flemings. The Hawks look poised to build on their strong finish.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics are under a new regime following the Jaylen Brown trade, but in many ways this team resembles last season’s side, when Jayson Tatum was out. In both situations, Boston built a team around one of its two stars who have led the franchise for close to a decade. Last season, Brown led the Celtics to 56 wins. This group has better balance, with Mitchell Robinson brought in at centre and Paul George, when healthy, added to the rest of the core. Matching last season’s 56 wins is a reasonable goal, which makes over 51.5 wins solid value.
Brooklyn Nets
Bet: Mikel Brown Jr. to be named to the first-team All-Rookie team (+220)
Brown was the fifth pick in the NBA draft and is projected to start at guard for the Nets from day one. He is a polished perimeter creator on offence and has the potential to lead his class in both points and assists. This is a deep draft class with plenty of talent, but Brown has better than a 2-to-1 chance to play his way onto the first team.
Charlotte Hornets
Bet: To take part in the play-in tournament (+130)
The Hornets were the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference last season, one of four play-in teams. They finished 12 games ahead of the 11th-seeded Bucks, who have since traded away franchise MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Charlotte is an up-and-coming side, led by perimeter scoring wings Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. It has also strengthened its front line by bringing in Naz Reid in exchange for point guard LaMelo Ball this offseason. Without Ball, the Hornets’ upside may be limited enough to keep them out of the playoffs, but they should still be significantly better than non-play-in calibre teams.
Chicago Bulls
Bet: Caleb Wilson to win Rookie of the Year (+350)
Wilson was one of four candidates to be drafted first overall in this historic class, on the strength of his elite athleticism, defensive upside and slashing, finishing game in college. At the Las Vegas Summer League, however, he showed a new willingness to take and make three-pointers, both off the catch and off the dribble. If he keeps shooting like that in the NBA, he has serious Rookie of the Year upside, particularly as the face and franchise player for a fast-paced Bulls unit that could produce big numbers.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Bet: To qualify for the conference semifinals (+125), to win the Central Division (+195)
Two seasons ago, the Cavaliers were the top seed in the Eastern Conference after winning 64 games with a scoring margin of +9.5 points per game. Last season, a disappointing regular season, partly shaped by injuries to point guard Darius Garland, was followed by a late-season trade of Garland for James Harden. Cleveland then rode that move to the Eastern Conference finals. Although the East as a whole has improved this offseason, the Cavaliers should return the same key players who have shown they can succeed in both the regular season and the playoffs. Backing them at plus money to go one round further than last season represents value, even in a tougher conference.
Detroit Pistons
Bet: Cade Cunningham to be named to the first-team All-NBA (+275)
Cunningham has been named All-NBA in each of the last two seasons, earning third-team honours in 2024-25 and first-team honours last season. He finished in the top seven of MVP voting in both campaigns, and at 25 he is still improving. Cunningham led a young Pistons side to the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season. If he performs at a similar level, he has a much better than 2.75-to-1 chance of repeating on the first team.
Indiana Pacers
Bet: Tyrese Haliburton to lead the regular season in assists per game (+450)
Haliburton is returning after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles. In his three full seasons with the Pacers before the injury, he averaged 10.2 assists per game, and he led the NBA with 10.9 in 2023-24. Indiana runs its entire offence through him. The Pacers ranked in the top 10 for team offensive rating in his last two seasons with them, finishing second in 2023-24, but fell to 29th last season without him. With Haliburton back at the helm, the offence should return to high efficiency and he should rack up assists again.
Miami Heat
Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo to win MVP (+1200)
Antetokounmpo gets a fresh start after being traded to the Heat. He finished in the top four of MVP voting in all eight seasons from 2018-19 through 2024-25, winning twice. Last season, however, he played a career-low 36 games due to injury. If he is healthy enough to play his usual minutes, he continues to have a massive on-court impact. The Bucks were 14.4 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court than off it last season. If Miami returns to top-three seed contention, Antetokounmpo would again be among the MVP favourites. There are a lot of ifs, but joining a new team gives him a narrative boost, and at 12-1 odds he is a rare long shot with a tangible chance of winning.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks had a net rating of -7.7 points per 100 possessions in 46 games without Antetokounmpo last season. This season’s lineup will look different, and Milwaukee has embraced a rebuild after trading him this offseason, but last season’s numbers without him are a reasonable guide to their expected level. Over the last four NBA seasons, none of the 16 teams with point differentials worse than -7.5 won more than 22 games, and the average was 19.2 wins per season.
New York Knicks
Bet: Jalen Brunson to be named to the first-team All-NBA (+200)
Brunson has been named to the second-team All-NBA in three straight seasons, cementing his status as a New York superstar after leading the Knicks back into contention. Last season, he led them to the NBA championship and was named Finals MVP. That lifted him to a new standing around the league, where he is now widely considered one of its best players. If he leads the Knicks to another strong regular season, he should have a good chance to earn enough votes for his first first-team All-NBA selection.
Orlando Magic
Bet: To take part in the play-in tournament (+110)
The Magic have taken part in the play-in tournament in each of the past two seasons, winning 45 games last season and 41 the season before. Injuries to key players, particularly young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, disrupted both campaigns. With full health, Orlando has the upside to improve. However, the Eastern Conference has grown tougher this offseason, so earning a top-six seed will likely be harder than in recent years. Overall, the Magic project to finish in the bottom half of the East’s top 10, giving them a good chance of reaching the play-in for a third straight season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Bet: To reach the conference semifinals (-125), to reach the conference finals (+200)
Philadelphia reached the conference semifinals last season after winning its play-in game and then upsetting the second-seeded Celtics in the first round. This offseason, the 76ers made the biggest splash in the NBA, bringing in former Finals MVPs Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to support a core of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. Changes of this scale could bring growing pains, and both James and Embiid have age and injury concerns. Even so, the talent suggests the team could contend for the title. Getting essentially even money simply to match last season’s run feels like solid value.
Toronto Raptors
Bet: Over 46.5 regular-season wins (-105)
The Raptors won 46 games last season as a surprising, up-and-coming roster came together and exceeded expectations. This offseason, they traded leading scorer Brandon Ingram for Kawhi Leonard. Leonard raises Toronto’s ceiling as a championship-calibre player who previously won a title with the franchise. The Raptors have legitimate capability of 50-plus wins and are expected to be closer to contenders than last season’s plucky underdogs, so 46.5 wins looks more like a healthy floor for this group.
Washington Wizards
Bet: Trae Young to lead the league in assists per game (+290)
In the first eight seasons of his career, Young increased his assists per game each campaign, peaking at a league-leading 11.6 in 2024-25. Last season, he battled injury before being traded from the Hawks to the Wizards, and he recorded the worst assists season of his professional career. He now joins a young but talented Washington roster with finishers at every position, including three frontcourt scorers in Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and Alex Sarr, all of whom are potential pick-and-roll or pop partners. Young has built his career as a high-volume user of on-ball screens to create both individual and team offence.
Moody on the Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks should win more than 26 games this season. Cooper Flagg improved throughout his rookie year, and there is no reason to think that will not continue. The return of Kyrie Irving should also make a big difference for an offence that ranked last in half-court efficiency. Dallas has intriguing defensive pieces too, particularly P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II. If Irving and Lively stay healthy, the Mavericks could compete for a play-in spot.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won 54 games last season despite Aaron Gordon playing in just 36, and their preferred starting five went 18-5 together. Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray still lead one of the NBA’s best offences, and DeMar DeRozan adds another scoring option. Losing Peyton Watson hurts defensively, but better health from Gordon and more production from the supporting cast should push Denver past this total.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors won just 37 games last season, with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III missing 83 games between them. Curry still averaged 26.6 points per game but played only five games alongside Kristaps Porzingis, including the play-in. More time together should help the offence, while Brandin Podziemski and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg add depth. If Curry stays healthy and Butler returns around midseason, Golden State should improve.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets won 52 games last season without Fred VanVleet and with Steven Adams sidelined after January. VanVleet’s return should take some playmaking pressure off Alperen Sengun, and Houston posted a net rating of +11.8 with Adams on the floor. Kevin Durant and Sengun also have another year to build chemistry, and Amen Thompson gives the Rockets another reason to surpass this line.
LA Clippers
The Clippers won 42 games last season, but this is a very different team. Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac are gone, and LA was outscored by 6.3 points per 100 possessions with Leonard off the floor. Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram bring scoring, but the frontcourt is thin and the roster will need time to develop chemistry.
Los Angeles Lakers
Bet: Luka Dončić to lead the regular season in three-pointers made per game (+330)
Dončić finished second in the league in three-pointers made per game (4.0) while averaging 10.8 attempts. He also averaged 4.1 triples in 2023-24. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Dončić should have even more opportunities to create his own offence. Few players can match his combination of shooting volume and production, which makes him a legitimate candidate to lead the league in threes per game.
Memphis Grizzlies
Bet: Cameron Boozer to win Rookie of the Year (+300)
Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game at Duke and earned AP National Player of the Year honours. He is arguably the most NBA-ready player in this class and steps into a strong situation in Memphis. With Ja Morant gone and the Grizzlies rebuilding, Boozer should have a major role from day one. He has the talent and the opportunity to secure the award.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Bet: LaMelo Ball to record five or more triple-doubles in the regular season (+900)
Ball averaged 7.1 assists per game last season, and playing alongside Anthony Edwards should create more assist opportunities. Scoring will not be an issue, so rebounding will be key. At 6-foot-7, Ball has the size to reach double-digit rebounds on any given night. Five triple-doubles is ambitious, particularly given his injury history, but a healthy season gives him a legitimate shot.
New Orleans Pelicans
Bet: Derik Queen to average 8+ rebounds per game (+140)
Queen averaged 7.1 rebounds per game in just 25 minutes a night as a rookie. A wrist injury disrupted his preparation last year, but he enters Year 2 after his first full NBA offseason and says he is stronger and in better shape. Playing time remains the biggest question, but even a modest increase in minutes could push him past 8.0 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder won 64 games last season, but losing Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins takes away perimeter defence, shooting and bench scoring. Those departures leave nearly 60 minutes per game to fill, placing more responsibility on Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell and several young players. Oklahoma City remains a championship contender, but winning 63 games is a tall order.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns won 45 games last season despite Jalen Green playing just 32, and they need only 41 to clear this total. Devin Booker remains the offensive centrepiece, Miles Bridges adds scoring and Luke Kennard provides outside shooting. Phoenix also ranked ninth in defensive rating last season. If Green stays healthy, the Suns are well positioned to surpass this line.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers won 42 games last season, but reaching 43 this season will not be easy. Damian Lillard is returning from a torn Achilles, Ja Morant played just 20 games, and Shaedon Sharpe could miss much of the season. Portland also ranked 21st in offensive rating, and fitting Morant and Lillard alongside Deni Avdija presents another challenge.
Sacramento Kings
Bet: Domantas Sabonis to lead the regular season in rebounds per game (+900)
Sabonis led the league in rebounds per game in each of three consecutive seasons from 2022-23 through 2024-25, averaging a career-high 13.9 in his most recent healthy campaign. A knee injury limited him to 19 games last season, but he is expected to be ready for the opener. If he returns to his usual workload, Sabonis has a good chance of reclaiming the rebounding title.
San Antonio Spurs
Bet: Dylan Harper to win Most Improved Player of the Year (+900)
Harper averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 assists per game in just 22.6 minutes a night as a rookie. His per-36-minute averages of 18.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists suggest what he could do with more court time. He also stepped up in the playoffs, scoring 21 and 25 points in consecutive NBA Finals games. San Antonio has plenty of depth in the backcourt, but Harper should have the opportunity to take on a larger role.
Utah Jazz
Bet: Darryn Peterson to average 20+ points per game (+190)
Peterson averaged 20.2 points per game at Kansas despite dealing with injuries, and he shot 38.2% from beyond the arc. The second overall pick can score from anywhere on the floor and create his own opportunities. He will compete for touches with Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, but Utah should give him ample chances to contribute on offence.