The 2024-25 NBA regular season gets underway with opening night on October 22, and in preparation for this upcoming campaign, we've assembled one essential futures bet for each of the league's 30 teams that you should consider no matter the sportsbook you end up wagering with.
*betting odds accurate as of October 10, 2024; courtesy of FanDuel
Atlanta Hawks: UNDER 36.5 Wins (-122)
Atlanta Hawks 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Atlanta's win total has been on a steady decline over the past three years, with last season's 36-46 finish marking the team's worst since 2020. Trading Dejounte Murray lowers the Hawks' ceiling, and 19-year-old No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher will be thrust into a large role he may not be prepared for this early on, although he has shown strong glimpses of what he could become during the preseason.
They're deeper but not necessarily better, so finishing with an identical or worse record is completely plausible and would connect on the UNDER here.
Boston Celtics: To Win NBA Championship (+320)
Boston Celtics 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
A second-straight title for the Celtics would break the Association's ongoing trend of crowning a unique champion every year since 2019. If anyone is equipped to finally repeat, though, it's a dominant Boston squad returning all of its players after winning 64 games and losing just just three times throughout the playoffs en route to the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Recent history would suggest it won't happen, and not having Kristaps Porzingis for presumably the rest of the calendar year could hurt seeding, but when fully healthy, it's incredibly difficult to envision any other team eliminating the Celtics in a seven-game series.
Brooklyn Nets: UNDER 18.5 Wins (+112)
Brooklyn Nets 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Two teams finished with fewer than 18 wins in 2023-24, which is one more than the season prior. Even when vehemently tanking, wins can still manifest themselves with players taking pride through their performance no matter what the big picture may be.
With that being said, the departure of Mikal Bridges across the river leaves Brooklyn without a true No. 1 option, and who knows what the Nets will get out of Ben Simmons now and moving forward. The plus money should be calling your name, because if any franchise should be incentivized to lose as much as possible heading into the 2025 draft, it's this one.
Charlotte Hornets: OVER 29.5 Wins (-110)
Charlotte Hornets 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Much of this projection comes with the hope that Charlotte will have LaMelo Ball available for the majority of the season. When Ball suited up for 75 games in 2021-22, the Hornets finished with a 43-39 record which remains their best result since 2016.
The one-two punch of Ball and sophomore Brandon Miller in the backcourt has unlimited potential should they stay together, and the rest of the roster is good enough to keep them a leg up on some of the other basement dwellers in the Eastern Conference.
Chicago Bulls: Matas Buzelis For NBA Rookie Of The Year (+1000)
Chicago Bulls 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The Rookie of the Year race is a crapshoot, as there isn't a Victor Wembanyama at the forefront who'd be impossible to topple. That leaves an opening for someone like Matas Buzelis to sneak in and snatch the hardware, and playing for the Bulls provides ample opportunity to boost his statistical output.
Buzelis is currently slotted with the second unit, but the perpetual trade discussions surrounding teammate Zach LaVine could lead to an opening for more playing time one day soon and increased output on his end. At 10-to-1 odds, even sprinkling a bit on the Lithuanian-American forward could pay dividends.
Cleveland Cavaliers: To Win Central Division (+250)
Cleveland Cavaliers 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The Central Division has belonged to Milwaukee for six-straight seasons, but the gap between them and Cleveland is closing fast after just one game kept the two teams apart. All good things must come to an end, and with the Bucks' core around Giannis Antetokounmpo getting older, it's time for the Cavaliers to go in for the kill shot.
The uncertainty surrounding Donovan Mitchell's future is no longer hovering over the team, and an Evan Mobley-Jarrett Allen frontcourt is arguably the most imposing defensively in all of basketball. There's plenty to like about the Cavaliers' chances here, as a changing of the guard in the Central now feels inevitable.
Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic For NBA Most Valuable Player (+380)
Dallas Mavericks 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Never say never on a fourth Most Valuable Player win for Nikola Jokic in five years, but voter fatigue should rear its ugly head here and thrust a potential first-time recipient into the limelight. It's likely going to come down to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic here after the two superstars finished second and third in voting, respectively, although Doncic has the current edge at +380 over Gilgeous-Alexander at +500.
Doncic just conjured up historically-absurd numbers with the first 32-9-9 season ever recorded. Such production can't be overlooked if replicated, and with SGA his biggest threat, any leg up over the other becomes all the more crucial in what should be a tight race.
Denver Nuggets: OVER 50.5 Wins (-105)
Denver Nuggets 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
A 50.5 win total for the Nuggets seems low for a franchise that's won 53 and 57 games the last two seasons, respectively. The roster's depth has taken enough of a punch as of late, though, to question whether Jokic still has enough help around him in the Mile High City.
Jokic's dominance can still carry Denver to home-court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, which is a testament to his greatness. The Jamal Murray-Aaron Gordon-Michael Porter Jr. core around him can still contribute, but someone else will need to take on a larger role, especially coming off the bench.
Detroit Pistons: OVER 25.5 Wins (-105)
Detroit Pistons 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Wagering on a team to win a specific amount of games after they just tied the longest losing streak in league history comes with its reservations, yet in the case of the Pistons, there's enough reason to believe that brighter days are in store.
The additions of Tobias Harris, Malik Beasley, Paul Reed, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are quality pieces who can aid in the development of Detroit's unproven and youthful roster. It won't lead to a playoff berth right away, but should result in an OVER connecting after finishing with the worst overall record at 14-68. It's at least a step in the right direction.
Golden State Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga For NBA Most Improved Player (+1000)
Golden State Warriors 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Only Victor Wembanyama currently has stronger odds in the Most Improved Player conversation, but his status as a sophomore could hurt him when votes are tallied. Jonathan Kuminga, meanwhile, is projected to play a larger part in the Warriors' plans in a post-Klay Thompson era and with the careers of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green slowly winding down.
Golden State elected not to move Kuminga for a star in past trade discussions, so the team is clearly high on him. The 22-year-old just averaged career highs in points (16.1), rebounds (4.8), and assists (2.2), and his per-36 production is very impressive. Those numbers should only strengthen with more playing time and added responsibility.
Houston Rockets: To Make West Play-In Tournament (+145)
Houston Rockets 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
It's been four-straight seasons of playoff-less basketball for the Rockets, but clawing through the play-in tournament could be their ticket towards ending that streak. A 41-41 finish was still a full five games back of the 10th seed in the Western Conference, though, so there's ground to be made up here.
Thankfully, Houston has been on an upward trajectory for quite awhile now while other teams could be hitting a downward slope. If that rings to be true, those final slots will be up for grabs.
Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton To Lead NBA In Assists (+170)
Indiana Pacers 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Tyrese Haliburton has gone from ranking seventh overall in assists per game in 2021-22 to finishing second and then first over the last two seasons, respectively. His 10.9 dimes across 69 outings were the most of his career, having accumulated double-digit assists in 47 out of those games. Haliburton's 23 assists versus the New York Knicks on Dec. 30, 2023 were also the most recorded by any player all season.
Trae Young was just 0.1 assists shy of tying Haliburton, and the Hawks guard currently leads the odds race at +160. It's so close that betting on the player with greater returns is the path best travelled.
Los Angeles Clippers: UNDER 38.5 Wins (-115)
Los Angeles Clippers 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The fall from grace is real, and even playing in the brand-new and gorgeous Intuit Dome isn't enough to save a Clippers squad that just lost Paul George to Philadelphia in free agency, while Kawhi Leonard's status is forever up in the air because of nagging injuries.
Los Angeles finished fourth in the loaded West with a 51-31 record, so the win total by oddsmakers being as low as it is goes to show how little optimism there currently is at the moment with this organization. With P.J. Tucker now away from the team until a trade can be completed, the vibes are at the lowest of lows and that should reflect in the win-loss column.
Los Angeles Lakers: UNDER 42.5 Wins (-105)
Los Angeles Lakers 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Maintaining the status quo can often be a good thing, because returning bodies, consistency, and chemistry are the building blocks of contenders. However, in the case of the Lakers, their ceiling wasn't particularly high in the first place, so not making any splashy moves while others around them retooled in positive ways doesn't bode well for their chances this season.
His career path would suggest that Anthony Davis isn't going to play 76 games again, and with a first-year head coach in JJ Redick with zero experience paired with a soon-to-be 40-year-old LeBron James, imagining a year hovering around the .500 mark isn't farfetched.
Memphis Grizzlies: Taylor Jenkins For NBA Coach Of The Year (+1200)
Memphis Grizzlies 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Everyone loves a good comeback story, and there should be none greater than that of the Grizzlies after they were wrapped in bandages all of last season and needed to play 33 different players out of sheer necessity.
With oddsmakers pegging Memphis to finish with roughly 47 victories, that would equate to an improvement of 20 wins in one fell swoop, and head coach Taylor Jenkins should be on the receiving end of some acknowledgement in the form of Coach of the Year if such a jump occurs.
Miami Heat: OVER 44.5 Wins (-102)
Miami Heat 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The Heat just won 46 games despite not having Bam Adebayo for 10 games, Jimmy Butler for 22 games, and Tyler Herro for just under half the season. Seven different players ended up averaging 10 or more points, with the bench mob ranking 10th across the Association in scoring.
If Miami can afford to lose just one game more and still hit an OVER, with the hope being that the aforementioned names won't be struck by the injury bug once again, then it's a no-brainer really.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo To Average 30+ Points (-120)
Milwaukee Bucks 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
It's not the sexiest odds, but sometimes the safer plays are the ones giving you actual payouts when it's all said and done. Take this player prop/future for Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he's averaged over 30 points per game each of the last two seasons and almost made it a third in 2021-22 at 29.9 points.
The Bucks' offense relies heavily on his style of play, especially when he draws in defenders whilst attacking the basket and then kicks it out to the litany of shooters he has on the perimeter. Averaging 30 points again should be a cakewalk, because Milwaukee will need him to do so to keep pace in the East.
Minnesota Timberwolves: OVER 52.5 Wins (+124)
Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The blockbuster trade which sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple was cataclysmic for the Timberwolves as they had drafted Towns first overall in 2015 and just signed him to a supermax extension in 2022. After just advancing to the Western Conference finals, perhaps the need wasn't there to pull off such a deal, but now Minnesota moves forward with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in his stead, and that's plenty enough to keep the team in the hunt for a top seed.
The No. 1-ranked defense should still be a factor, and Anthony Edwards' ascension into one of the faces of the league isn't going to falter. If anything, the Timberwolves may be deeper and more diverse offensively with their new pieces, and with plus-money value on the OVER following a 56-win campaign, there's a lot to like with this bet.
New Orleans Pelicans: To Make NBA Playoffs (-178)
New Orleans Pelicans 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
This wager has the lowest payout of any bet on this list, but lest we forget that these odds aren't in stone, and with the Pelicans expected to continue shopping Brandon Ingram in potential trades, this number is undoubtedly going to see some steep jumps and drops over time.
New Orleans have participated in the playoffs two of the last three years, needing the play-in tournament twice to make it happen. In fact, no team has played more play-in games than the Pelicans since its inception. They know what it takes to advance through that mini-tournament, and it's likely going to take another successful run again to taste postseason basketball once more.
New York Knicks: UNDER 54.5 Wins (-114)
New York Knicks 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
With center Mitchell Robinson now expected to be out for the remainder of the calendar year recovering from foot surgery, even with Towns in the frontcourt, the Knicks' interior defense is going to be exploited for the next several months. Thankfully, having Bridges and O.G. Anunoby at the wing will help compensate for Robinson's absence, but while also trying to incorporate Towns, there could be some growing pains at Madison Square Garden.
Anything less than a 50-win season would be viewed as a disappointment, but an UNDER bet could still be achieved with between 50 and 54 wins, and that's where New York's record should be after going 50-32 in 2023-24.
Oklahoma City Thunder: To Win Western Conference (+330)
Oklahoma City Thunder 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The biggest threat to the Celtics' crown comes in the form of the resurgent Thunder, who bolstered their depth chart after finishing tied for the second-best overall record and advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Bringing aboard Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to join Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams gives reigning Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault arguably the most well-rounded six-man rotation going today. They joined Boston as the only two teams to finish with a top-four offense and defense, and they're certainly on a collision course for the 2025 Finals if everyone stays healthy.
Orlando Magic: To Win Southeast Division (-145)
Orlando Magic 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
It's quite peculiar seeing the Magic favored at minus money to take the Southeast Division after finishing just a game ahead of a Heat team ravaged by injuries, so oddsmakers must have justifiable cause to separate the two and favor one over the other.
Perhaps the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for his shooting and defense is a deciding factor, or maybe it's because Orlando improved by 13 victories year over year and could potentially reach 50 wins for the first time in 14 years. The Southeast could be the Magic's to lose, but it won't be a smooth process as Miami isn't going anywhere.
Philadelphia 76ers: OVER 52.5 Wins (+108)
Philadelphia 76ers 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
It's not just the addition of George to join forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey that should have fans in the City of Brotherly Love excited. The makeup of the roster around the new Big Three is exceptionally stronger, with Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, and Olympic standout Guerschon Yabusele covering a variety of complimentary skills.
Embiid can afford to miss some time every now and then as a deep postseason run is the ultimate goal, and there's more than enough talent available to slot in and hold down the fort. Philadelphia won 54 games in 2022-23 and are even more formidable now.
Phoenix Suns: To Win Pacific Division (+170)
Phoenix Suns 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The Pacific Division is a five-team Royal Rumble stacked to the brim with elite-level talent, and that's the only division in basketball that can say that proudly. Only five games kept the fifth-place Warriors from taking the top spot, and that was the difference between a play-in berth and opening the playoffs with a home crowd.
Phoenix is still hanging its hopes on a Kevin Durant-Devin Booker-Bradley Beal trio which fizzled out versus Minnesota in the first round. With the Clippers now falling out of the picture after a rough summer, though, and even with expectations a tad more tempered in the desert, the Suns should still take their third division title in five years riding that Big Three yet again.
Portland Trail Blazers: UNDER 21.5 Wins (-115)
Portland Trail Blazers 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The Trail Blazers are one of a slew of teams that should be engaging in a tanking war to boost their odds to strike big in the prospect-studded 2025 draft. Internal growth and development is still a vital part of the process, especially for someone like Scoot Henderson, but winning games this season ill behooves a franchise that needs to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Repeating last season's 21-61 record would aid in nailing an UNDER on 21.5 wins, and since no one will be keeping too much of an eye on Rip City in the first place, Portland can go ahead and continue working towards the future and prepare itself to add another high lottery pick.
Sacramento Kings: Malik Monk For NBA Sixth Man Of The Year (+600)
Sacramento Kings 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Only 10 points prevented Malik Monk from capturing 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year honors, and working in his favor now is that reigning winner Naz Reid now has DiVincenzo by his side with the second unit in Minnesota, so the two may cancel each other out unfairly or not.
Monk is coming off a breakout campaign with 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, and was rewarded for his efforts with a four-year, $78-million extension. He'd be the first King since Bobby Jackson in 2003 to win the award, and the runway is clear for him to do so.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama For NBA Defensive Player Of The Year (-160)
San Antonio Spurs 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Wembanyama being favored not just for Defensive Player of the Year, but also Most Improved Player, whilst also possessing decent odds in the Most Valuable Player conversation, is a testament to how special and generational a talent the 7-foot-4 big man truly is. Frankly, he could have easily taken DPOY in his rookie year, so voters are unlikely to make the same mistake twice.
He's the only player favored for any award at minus money, but as we'll likely see throughout the course of his long and prosperous career, nothing has to or will make sense when it comes to what Wembanyama can achieve.
Toronto Raptors: UNDER 29.5 Wins (-102)
Toronto Raptors 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
With team president Masai Ujiri finally admitting that the Raptors are undergoing a rebuild/retooling and no longer glossing over the issue, everyone can take a deep breath, accept the situation, and focus on fine-tuning the pieces around new franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes.
The combination of Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley is a fantastic place to start as they're all 25 or younger, but in order to continue adding the appropriate parts, Toronto needs to get into the lottery and strike big with a high-quality prospect which the 2025 class is apparently loaded with. Wins shouldn't be a priority.
Utah Jazz: UNDER 28.5 Wins (-132)
Utah Jazz 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
Rinse and repeat when it comes to the bottom-tiered teams vying for the ping pong balls to fall their way, and Utah is no exception after finishing dead last in defense per 100 possessions. Walker Kessler is the Jazz's best defender and his future is uncertain, so changes are forthcoming.
Accumulating 28 victories or fewer would be Utah's weakest finish in a decade, but when matching up the roster next to basically every other team in the West, you'd be hard-pressed to find one as feeble as theirs. Hopefully some diamonds in the rough emerge out of the Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier, and Kyle Filipowski picks they used.
Washington Wizards: Alexandre Sarr To Win NBA Rookie Of The Year (+1000)
Washington Wizards 2024-25 NBA Season Preview, Betting Odds
The Rookie of the Year race is one where betting on multiple names, as mentioned above with Buzelis in Chicago, should be seen as the correct play. Buzelis, Risacher, Zach Edey in Memphis, and here with Frenchman Alexandre Sarr in the nation's capital all have the potential to stir up the odds, as do a number of other first-year players.
Sarr was once perceived to be the no-brainer No. 1 selection, but dropped to second after supposedly choosing not to workout with Atlanta. The Wizards have little to hang their hat on outside of Sarr, so a ROTY win could be the saving grace of what should otherwise be a best-forgotten season.
