My Favorite NBA Future Bets and some Preseason Hot Takes
By: Dave Levey
Tags: NBA, Sports Betting, Sixers

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge NBA fan/nerd. I love everything about the league. The flow of the game, the stars, the pettiness, the off season drama, the awesome highlights, and of course my beloved Sixers. It is the holiday season, so in the spirit of giving I will be handing out some futures I recommend you all take.

Portland Trail Blazers 39.5 OVER

I am so in on the Blazers this year. They’ve always had the scoring power with Dame and CJ, but this offseason they finally made an effort to get better on defense bringing in Covington and Derrick Jones Jr (gonna ignore that they also signed Kanter). They also get a healthy Nurkic, Collins and Rodney Hood back for the year, plus have some young developing talent in Gary Trent Jr, Anfernee Simons, and newly signed Harry Giles who I’m still high on. This is by far the best team Dame has played on, and it feels like he’s in the height of his prime right now. I like the Blazers to smash this over and finish as a top 4 seed in the tough West

Sacramento Kings 27.5 UNDER

There’s really not a whole lot to like about this King’s roster besides Fox and their rookie Haliburton. They have a lot of college studs who never really met their high expectations in the NBA (i.e. Harrison Barnes, Buddy, and Jabari Parker) oh and they gave a lot of money to Hassan Whiteside. I don’t think Luke Walton is a particularly great coach, and this team straight up doesn’t play defense. An uninspiring roster, bad coach, and horrid defense isn’t a good formula for navigating the gauntlet that is the West this year. Under please.

Minnesota Timberwolves 29.5 UNDER

Don’t let Kat and DLo fool you this team stinks. Outside of those 2 offensive studs (notice how I didn’t say defensive) this roster is very meh. Number 1 pick Anthony Edwards is a work in progress, however Malik Beasley is dating Scotty Pipen’s ex wife which is kinda cool I guess. In a ultra competitive Western conference, somebody has to be bad, and it will be the Wolves. After Harden gets traded, it will be Kat’s turn to be the NBA’s unhappiest star.

MVP Futures: Giannis and Luka have the best odds rn, but I really don’t see a 3 peat MVP and I think Luka is a year or two away

Kevin Durant: +1000

I love this pick at this value. The MVP is just one big narrative award. Well there’s no better narrative right now then KD coming back from a devastating injury and destroying everyone. Get used to every ESPN/TNT NBA personality saying how they forgot how good KD was during the first month of the season.

Damian Lillard: +1900

More awesome value here. Dame is another player the media and world fell in love with in the bubble. If he can stay healthy and get the Blazers to a top 3 seed, I think he’s a shoe in to get his first MVP

Rookie of the Year:

Deni Avdija +1400

Wiseman is gonna be the trendy pick playing big minutes with Steph, but gimme the Hebrew Hammer! The Israeli has 3 years of experience playing in Europe’s best league and can really do everything on the floor. Reminds me of a better Dario Saric and I think he’s going to get some big minutes on a competitive Wizards squad.

Most Improved Player: This award is really a crap shoot but I have 2 longshots I like a lot

OG Anunoby +4900

I’ve been an OG stan for a while now and he’s only gotten better every year he’s in the league. I think this is the year he really starts turning heads and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he made his first all star game. Making an all star game would put him as the odds on favorite to win this award in my opinion so why not throw a few dollars on this. Plus OG is British and cool af.

Shake Milton +6500

I looooooove this bet. Shake is a certified stud and I am expecting a huge breakout year from him. Doc is in love with him too and it looks like he’s gonna be getting big minutes off the bench all year. +6500 is too good of value to pass up here.

Defensive Player of the Year

Ben Simmons +1600

I think this reward is Anthony Davis’s to lose this year, but if you’re going for the value play it’s Simmons. He already started gaining media traction on this last year and for good reason. Ben can guard any position on the floor and is just an absolute pest on the defensive end.

Finals Prediction:

Lakers in 5 over Bucks: Think this is the year Giannis finally makes it to the finals, and Lebron will give him a nice welcome with a gentleman’s sweep. This Laker’s team is just too good, and they only got better this offseason. Barring any major season ending injury, I think they go back to back with ease.

And finally some spicy hot takes/predictions I will not provide any rationale behind