Top 5 NBA Futures Bets After the All-Star Break
Zack Cook
Host · Writer
Los Angeles Lakers to Make the Playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers have played 46 games and hold a 30-26 record. Heading into the All-Star break, the Lakers had won three straight games and seven of their last ten. Despite not making a big trade ahead of the NBA's trade deadline, the Lakers still have the prospects of a team that can do damage in the Western Conference. With only a slight amount of juice added to their price tag to qualify for the postseason, we're comfortable backing LeBron James and company to qualify for the dance at -130.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Win MVP
Whether you believe it or not, voter fatigue is a real thing with major awards. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has won two of the last three NBA MVP awards, and you can make a strong case he should have walked away with last year's as well. With Jokic again leading the race and holding -120 odds, we're looking elsewhere for value down the stretch. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to put up sensational numbers, there's a real case that he's elevated the Oklahoma City Thunder enough to take down The Joker. The Canadian product boasts +210 odds to win his first MVP, and there's definite value in that price point.
Mark Daigneault to Win NBA Coach of the Year
The NBA's Coach of the Year race should go down to the wire, but that doesn't mean we can't find some slight value in where things currently stand. The Oklahoma City Thunder remain a team that has surprised many people with its continued growth. A significant reason is the development principles that head coach Mark Daigneault has brought. Daigneault is the odds-on favorite to win NBA Coach of the Year, but there's still value in the number at +190.
New York Knicks to Win the Eastern Conference
Despite the Boston Celtics holding a near-juiced price to win the Eastern Conference, I'm looking elsewhere for value. Although Boston remains a fierce contender, it still feels like the New York Knicks are being overlooked. After making the trade for OG Anunoby, I've become even more bullish about what this Tom Thibodeau team can do in May and June. With where their odds currently stand, the Knicks present real value to win the Eastern Conference at +650, where they hold the third-shortest number.
Minnesota Timberwolves to Win the Western Conference
It's interesting to note that despite entering the All-Star break with the top record in the Western Conference, there continues to be a gap between the Minnesota Timberwolves and others in their odds of winning the conference. The T-Wolves arrived on the scene last year and have continued to develop into a real contender in 2023-24. Minnesota holds the fourth-shortest odds to win the West at +800, behind Denver (+220), Los Angeles Clippers (+240), and the Oklahoma City Thunder (+750). We'll happily take the value price tag we're getting for the Timberwolves to win the West.
Los Angeles Lakers to Make the Playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers have played 46 games and hold a 30-26 record. Heading into the All-Star break, the Lakers had won three straight games and seven of their last ten. Despite not making a big trade ahead of the NBA's trade deadline, the Lakers still have the prospects of a team that can do damage in the Western Conference. With only a slight amount of juice added to their price tag to qualify for the postseason, we're comfortable backing LeBron James and company to qualify for the dance at -130.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Win MVP
Whether you believe it or not, voter fatigue is a real thing with major awards. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has won two of the last three NBA MVP awards, and you can make a strong case he should have walked away with last year's as well. With Jokic again leading the race and holding -120 odds, we're looking elsewhere for value down the stretch. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to put up sensational numbers, there's a real case that he's elevated the Oklahoma City Thunder enough to take down The Joker. The Canadian product boasts +210 odds to win his first MVP, and there's definite value in that price point.
