 | ESPN.com: Boston Celtics Report | [Print without images] |
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| Tyrese Haliburton's return provides a huge boost to the Pacers. |
The 2025-26 NBA season tips off Tuesday, and the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are co-favorites to win the NBA championship (+270). Right behind them are the defending champion New York Knicks and upgraded Philadelphia 76ers, both at +900.
While not every team is a contender, every team still offers a chance to make a bet. We tasked NBA betting experts Andre Snellings and Eric Moody to sort through the possibilities and suggest a future bet on every team this season.
Odds by DraftKings
�and�subject to change.
Bet: To make playoffs (-145), to win Southeast Division (+320)
The Hawks traded Trae Young on Jan. 7, and after that trade finished with a 29-15 regular-season record that was the seventh best in the NBA in that span. The Hawks then went up two games to one on the eventual champion New York Knicks in the playoffs, the only team to win two games against the Knicks this past postseason. The Hawks return their core that finished the season, led by budding star Jalen Johnson, and supplemented that with two contributors from the Oklahoma City Thunder championship team (Luguentz Dort�and Aaron Wiggins) as well as a lottery pick in Kingston Flemings. They seem poised to continue to improve upon their strong finish.
Bet: OVER 51.5 wins (-105)
The Celtics are in a new regime after the Jaylen Brown trade, but in many ways this team is analogous to the one last season when Jayson Tatum was out. In both situations, they built a team around one of the two stars who have led them for the past near-decade. Last season, Brown led the Celtics to 56 wins. This season's team has better balance than last, with Mitchell Robinson brought in at center and Paul George, when healthy, as new additions to the rest of the core. Last season's 56 wins are a reasonable goal for this team, making over 51.5 wins solid value.
Bet: Mikel Brown Jr. to be named first-team All-Rookie (+220)
Brown was the fifth pick in the NBA draft and projects to be the starting guard for the Nets from Day 1. He is a polished perimeter offense creator and has the potential to be among the leaders in both points and assists in this class. While this is a deep draft class with a lot of talent, Brown has a better than 2-to-1 chance to play his way onto the first team.
Bet: To participate in 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. The Hornets are an up-and-coming team, led by two perimeter scoring wings in Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, and they also have a strengthened front line after bringing in Naz Reid in exchange for point guard LaMelo Ball this offseason. The lack of Ball may limit their upside enough to keep them out of the playoffs, but they should still be significantly better than the non-play-in caliber teams.
Bet: Caleb Wilson to win Rookie of the Year (+350)
Wilson was one of the four candidates to be drafted No. 1 overall in this year's historic NBA draft, and that was on the strength of his elite athleticism, defensive upside and slasher/finisher offensive game he displayed in college. But in the Las Vegas Summer League, Wilson displayed a brand new proclivity for taking and making 3-pointers off both the catch-and-shoot and off the dribble. If Wilson continues to display that shooting in the NBA, he has serious Rookie of the Year upside, particularly as he settles in as the face and franchise player for a fast-paced Bulls unit, which could lead to big numbers.
Bet: To qualify for conference semifinals (+125), win Central Division (+195)
The Cavaliers were the top seed in the Eastern Conference two seasons ago after winning 64 games with a +9.5 PPG scoring margin. Last season, after a down regular season inspired in part by injuries to point guard Darius Garland, the Cavaliers rode the late-season trade of Garland for James Harden and played their way to the Eastern Conference finals. While the Eastern Conference as a whole got stronger this offseason, the Cavaliers should return a team with the same key players who have demonstrated the capacity for success in both the regular season and playoffs. To be able to bet them, at plus money, to make it a round earlier than they made it last season is value, even in the new Eastern Conference.
Bet: Cade Cunningham to be named first-team All-NBA (+275)
Cunningham has been All-NBA in each of the last two seasons, was third team in 2024-25 and first team last season. He finished top seven in the MVP voting in both seasons, and at age 25 he is still improving. Cunningham led a young Pistons team to the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season, and if he plays at a similar level this season he has a much better than 2.75-to-1 chance to repeat his slot on the First Team.
Bet:�Tyrese Haliburton�regular-season assists-per-game leader (+450)
Haliburton is returning after missing all last season with a torn Achilles. In his three full seasons with the Pacers before his injury, Haliburton averaged 10.2 APG. He led the NBA in the 2023-24 season with 10.9 APG. The Pacers run their entire offense through Haliburton; they ranked top 10 in the NBA in team offensive rating in his last two seasons with them (second in 2023-24) but fell to 29th last season without him. With Haliburton back at the helm, the offense should return to high efficiency and Haliburton should again rack up assists.
Bet:�Giannis Antetokounmpo�to win MVP (+1200)
Antetokounmpo�gets a fresh start this season after being traded to the Heat. He finished top four in MVP voting in all eight campaigns from 2018-19 through 2024-25, winning twice. Last season he played a career-low 36 games as he battled injury. If�Antetokounmpo�is healthy enough to play his typical minutes, he continues to have a massive on-court impact (the Bucks were 14.4 points per 100 possessions better with�Antetokounmpo�on the court versus off the court last season) and the Heat are able to return to top-three seed contention this season, then�Antetokounmpo�would again be among the MVP favorites. Those are a lot of ifs, but with him joining a new team, he'll gain a narrative bump from any team improvement. And getting 12-1 odds,�Antetokounmpo�for MVP is the rare long shot with a tangible probability to occur.
Bet: UNDER 24.5 wins (+110)
The Bucks had a net rating of -7.7 PPG in 46 games without�Antetokounmpo�last season. While this season's lineup will be different, the Bucks embraced a rebuild when they traded�Antetokounmpo�this offseason, and last season's "without Giannis" numbers make a reasonable estimate to their expected level this season. In the last four NBA seasons, none of the 16 teams with point differentials worse than -7.5 won more than 22 games, with an average of 19.2 wins per season.
Bet: Jalen Brunson to be named first-team All-NBA (+200)
Brunson has been named second-team All-NBA in three straight seasons, cementing his status as a New York superstar for leading the Knicks back into contention. But last season, he led the Knicks to the NBA championship and earned the Finals MVP. This lifted Brunson to a new status around the league. He is now widely considered one of the best players in the league, and if he once again leads the Knicks to a strong regular season, he will have a good chance to earn enough votes to earn his inaugural first-team All-NBA nod.
Bet: To participate in play-in tournament (+110)
The Magic have participated in the play-in tournament in each of the past two seasons, winning 45 games last season and 41 the season before. They battled injury to key players during both seasons, particularly to young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, so with complete health, they have the upside to improve. On the other hand, the Eastern Conference has gotten tougher this offseason, so it is likely that it will be more difficult to earn a top six seed this season than in recent years. All told, the Magic project to be a team in the bottom half of the top 10 in the East, giving them a good chance to be in the play-in for the third straight season.
Bet: To reach conference semifinals (-125)/conference finals (+200)
The 76ers reached the conference semifinals last season after winning their play-in game and then upsetting the second-seeded Celtics in the first round. They then proceeded to make the biggest splash in the NBA this offseason, bringing in former Finals MVPs Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to supplement their core of Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. While changes this big could lead to some growing pains, and with both former MVPs (James and Embiid) having age and injury concerns, the talent on this team suggests they could contend for the NBA title. Getting essentially even money for the team to just get as far as they made it last season feels like solid value.
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 played above expectations. This offseason, they traded leading scorer Brandon Ingram for Kawhi Leonard. Leonard gives them a higher ceiling as a championship-caliber player who brought the Raptors a championship in his previous tenure with the squad. They have legitimate 50-plus win capability and are expected to be closer to a contender than the plucky underdogs of a season ago, so the 46.5-win threshold seems more like the healthy floor for this group.
Bet:�Trae Young�assists per game leader (+290)
In the first eight seasons of his career, Young increased his assists per game output each campaign and peaked at a league-leading 11.6 APG in 2024-25. Last season, Young battled injury before being traded from the Hawks to the Wizards and had his worst assists season as a pro. He enters this season with a young but talented Wizards roster with finishers at every position, including three frontcourt scorers in Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa and Alex Sarr that are all potential pick-and-roll/pop partners. Young has been a high-volume strong utilizer of on-ball picks as a way to generate both individual and team offense in his career.
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| Kyrie Irving returns after a missed season to pair with Cooper Flagg. |
Bet: OVER 33.5 wins (-105)
The Mavericks should win more than 26 games this season. Cooper Flagg improved throughout his rookie year, and there's no reason to think that won't continue. Getting Kyrie Irving back should also make a big difference for an offense that ranked last in half-court efficiency. Dallas has some intriguing defensive components, too, particularly P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II. If Irving and Lively can stay healthy, the Mavericks could compete for a play-in spot.
Bet: OVER 48.5 wins (-110)
The Nuggets won 54 games last season despite Aaron Gordon playing in just 36, and their preferred starting five went 18-5 together. Nikola Joki and Jamal Murray still lead one of the NBA's best offenses, with DeMar DeRozan adding 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.
Bet: OVER 37.5 wins (-120)
The Warriors won just 37 games last season, with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III missing a combined 83 games. Curry still averaged 26.6 PPG and played just five games alongside Kristaps Porzingis, including the play-in. More time together should help offensively, while Brandin Podziemski�and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg add depth. If Curry stays healthy and Butler returns around midseason, Golden State should improve.
Bet: OVER 47.5 wins (-125)
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, while Houston posted a plus-11.8 net rating with Adams on the floor. Kevin Durant and Sengun also have another year to build chemistry, and Amen Thompson gives Houston another reason for the Rockets to surpass this line.
Bet: UNDER 28.5 wins (-115)
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.
Bet: Luka Doncic regular-season 3-pointers made per game leader (+330)
Doncic finished second in the league in 3-pointers made per game (4.0) while averaging 10.8 attempts per game. He also averaged 4.1 triples in 2023-24. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic should have even more opportunities to create his own offense. Few players can match his combination of shooting volume and production, positioning him as a legitimate candidate to lead the league in 3s per game.
Bet: Cameron Boozer to win Rookie of the Year (+300)
Boozer averaged 22.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG at Duke, earning AP National Player of the Year honors. He is arguably the most NBA-ready player in this rookie class and steps into a great situation in Memphis. With�Ja Morant is gone and the Grizzlies rebuilding, Boozer should have a major role from day one. He has the talent and opportunity to lock down this award.
Bet:�LaMelo Ball�to record 5+ triple-doubles in the regular season (+900)
Ball averaged 7.1 APG last season, and playing alongside Anthony Edwards should create more assist opportunities. Scoring won't be an issue, so rebounding will be the key. At 6-foot-7, Ball has the size to reach double-digit rebounds on any given night. Five triple-doubles is ambitious, especially given his injury history, but a healthy season gives him a legitimate shot.
Bet: Derik Queen to average 8+ RPG (+140)
Queen averaged 7.1 RPG in just 25 MPG as a rookie. After a wrist injury disrupted his preparation last year, Queen enters Year 2 coming off his first full NBA offseason and says he's stronger and in better shape. Playing time remains the biggest question, but even a modest increase in minutes could push him past 8.0 RPG.
Bet: UNDER 62.5 wins (-110)
The Thunder won 64 games last season, but losing Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe and�Aaron Wiggins�takes away perimeter defense, shooting and bench scoring. Those departures leave nearly 60 minutes per game to fill, putting 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.
Bet: OVER 40.5 wins (+105)
The Suns won 45 games last season despite Jalen Green playing just 32, and they only need 41 to clear this total. Devin Booker remains the offensive centerpiece, while 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.
Bet: UNDER 42.5 wins (-130)
The Blazers won 42 games last season, but getting to 43 this season won't 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.
Bet: Domantas Sabonis regular-season rebounds-per-game leader (+900)
Sabonis led the league in RPG for 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 Sabonis is expected to be ready for the opener. If he returns to his usual workload, Sabonis has a good chance to reclaim the rebounding title.
Bet:�Dylan Harper�Most Improved Player of the Year (+900)
Harper averaged 11.8 PPG and 3.9 APG in just 22.6 MPG as a rookie. His per-36 averages of 18.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists show what he could do with more playing time. Harper also stepped up in the playoffs, scoring 21 and 25 points in consecutive NBA Finals games. The Spurs have plenty of depth in the backcourt, but Harper should have an opportunity to take on a larger role.
Bet: Darryn Peterson to average 20+ PPG (+190)
Peterson averaged 20.2 PPG at Kansas despite dealing with injuries and shot 38.2% from beyond the arc. The second overall pick can score from anywhere on the floor and create his own opportunities. Peterson will compete for touches with Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, but Utah should give him ample opportunities to contribute offensively.
