When betting futures, it’s generally not a good idea to pick multiple winners in the same market at the same time. If you choose multiple NBA title winners right now, you are instantly absorbing at least one losing ticket in a higher hold market. Instead, when you are going to bet multiple things in the same futures market, try and time them so you get both options at the best possible price. It’s rare that you will pick off multiple teams simultaneously and they will all be the best price that exists throughout the season. It’s better to play the math game than to trust your gut and instinct to bet multiple teams at once.

Furthermore, when betting potential NBA champions try not to bet within the same conference so early. If these teams end up playing in the first round, it’s lost value immediately as one ticket wins, another loses and you may have to start considering hedging too early.

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So while this article will provide some looks at various teams, choose the one you most agree with, and stick with just that. You can keep others in mind for later in the season, depending on how injuries and other things shake out.

Here are a few NBA title futures bets worth considering:

(Odds courtesy of )

Oklahoma City Thunder (+250)

The Thunder are the obvious first choice to win the 2025-26 NBA title and repeat as champions. This team had the luxury of returning all its key components, and because of the team’s youth, it’s fair to expect internal development and growth.

Last year, the Thunder ranked second in youngest average age at 24.7 years old, and were the sixth-youngest team in terms of average age weighted by minutes played at 25.1. They also had a few injuries that held them back, notably Chet Holmgren and Isiah Hartenstein were hurt on and off during the regular season and rarely got time to jell as a two-big lineup; they played 20 games together during the regular season before 23 in the playoffs. Right after the NBA Finals, we learned All-NBA player Jalen Williams received nearly 30 painkilling injections into his wrist. If this team avoids any catastrophic injuries again this season, +250 will be a strong number heading into the postseason.

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The flip side is that the NBA hasn’t had a repeat champion in seven seasons. The parity in the league is increasing because of the balance of talent but also play style, the increased pace and 3-point shooting creates more variance. I would rather play Oklahoma City on a wait-and-see approach – if they do sustain any injuries +250 or better will likely be available, and if they have a tough playoff bracket it should be right around that price. There is asymmetry here in obtaining value that is worth leaving alone right now.

On the other opposite end of the age scale is the Clippers. This team is designed to win now based on roster construction, depth, veteran presence, coaching and salary cap implications. This offseason, Los Angeles brought back home-town hero Chris Paul, signed Brook Lopez, and traded Norman Powell for John Collins simply because they knew Bradley Beal would be coming after taking a buyout from the Phoenix Suns.

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This team is stacked – and I would not be surprised if they are a team that will continue to try and bolster their roster and do all they can to win a title. Last season they were considered the second-best team coming into the Western Conference playoffs by many sharp bettors, only to lose in a seven-game first-round series to Denver, which included an Aaron Gordon offensive rebound and put-back dunk as time expired in Game 1.

The reason we are getting 16-1 is because of the current NBA investigation into the Kawhi Leonard and salary cap circumvention accusations (and some proof without a smoking gun thus far). It’s possible the NBA reaches a mid-season ruling on Leonard and gives him a hefty suspension, restricts him from the playoffs, or even voids his contract. Figuring out the potential punishments has been very difficult because the Clippers don’t own their first-round pick until 2030; so revoking first rounders 4-5 years from now hardly seems like a proper punishment. Suspending Kawhi but not for the playoffs is difficult, because he is the face of load management and taking days off for preventative health reasons.

Some insiders I have spoken with think this situation doesn’t get resolved this season, and if that is the case 16-1 is the best number on the board. Without any drama, this team would undoubtedly be above the Timberwolves (13-1) and probably closer to Denver at +550 than we expect.

It was just four years ago that the Hawks punched a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals and blew up the “Trust the Process” Philadelphia 76ers.

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This offseason, after a bolster of win-now moves, they have easily the best chance of getting back there since then.

The starting lineup is likely to look like:

• All-Star Trae Young at PG

• Reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels

• Rookie of the Year runner-up Zaccharie Risacher

• Potential breakout player Jalen Johsnon

• Versatile center Onyeka Okongwu

That is a solid group in a weak Eastern Conference. To go one step further, their two offseason acquisitions are likely to be coming off the bench or spot starting in Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. With those two additions, this team added two of the most valuable traits in the NBA: 3-point shooting and versatile defense. Their competition this year seems to be the New York Knicks – who Trae Young has relished playing against at Madison Square Garden – and the Cleveland Cavaliers – who are already starting the season behind the 8-ball with injuries to two starters (Darius Garland and Max Strus).

At 30-1, this is my favorite mid-to-long range ticket and favorite Eastern Conference team to hold.

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Looking for a true long shot? Let me sell you on the Raptors.

The NBA is a copycat league and this is the team most trying to mimic the Thunder. From March 1 until the end of last season, the Raptors ranked No. 1 on defense. They are a group who creates a lot of turnovers and turns those turnovers into transition opportunities. When they are stuck in the half court on either end, defensively they focus on guarding the 3-point line at an elite level, and offensively they brought in and extended Brandon Ingram for isolation scoring. They have a big in Jakob Poeltl who will fill the Isaiah Hartenstein role of elite screen setting and passing out of the high post, while providing very good rim protection.

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Last season, the Thunder were the NBA’s best team against the spread, but the Raptors were second and covered at over a 59% clip. Coach Darko Rajacovik prides himself on the same player development that coach Mark Daigneault does, and the roster youth is similar (fourth-youngest team based on weighted minutes).

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If there is a team in the East that is going to make a Pacers-like run and bust through some playoff series unexpectedly, it is the Raptors with some hot shooting. The defense will be there, the transition game will be there, the lean into some game theory optimal strategies are certain, so it becomes about getting a good bracket and having some variance go their way.

The Raptors going over their win total is my favorite NBA future this year, as I think this will be a .500 team with a chance of being an outright top-six team and avoid the play-in tournament all together. This number will be good come playoff time, it’s just a matter of if it’s realistic or it becomes a simple hedge position that doesn’t net that much worth in the long run.