The 2026-27 NBA season tips off Tuesday, bringing a fresh slate of futures bets for basketball fans, from MVP and Rookie of the Year to the eventual champion. ESPN asked its NBA betting experts André Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim Mc Cormick and Steve Alexander for their favorite wagers and the ones to avoid. Odds are from DraftKings and subject to change.
Snellings is high on the Minnesota Timberwolves to top 51.5 regular season wins at +200. Minnesota has won 49 games in each of the last two seasons, and the addition of point guard La Melo Ball gives Anthony Edwards a true team-offense creator. Snellings sees a higher ceiling than the team's 56-win peak three seasons ago.
Moody likes Cameron Boozer to win Rookie of the Year at +250. Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists at Duke and earned AP National Player of the Year honors. With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. gone, Memphis should give him plenty of opportunities right away.
Alexander backs the Indiana Pacers to win the championship at 35-1, citing a healthy Tyrese Haliburton and new center Ivica Zubac. Karabell expects Domantas Sabonis to lead the league in rebounds at +900, noting he led the league in boards for three straight seasons before a knee injury last year.
As a bet to avoid, Snellings is steering clear of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder at +270 to win the title, pointing to strong competition from the reigning champion Knicks and the 76ers, both at +900.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing