Top 10 best prop bets for the 2025/2026 NBA season

While most of the sports betting world here in the U.S. is fully focused on football, the NBA season snuck up on us and is just around the corner with the preseason beginning next week. As teams across the league test out their rotations and new offensive sets in the coming weeks, let’s take a look at 10 bets to consider for the upcoming year.

All odds provided by bet365 Sportsbook & Racebook

10. Sixth Man of the Year
It’s going to be a different Boston Celtics team this season as both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have been traded away and Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs so they could be without him for most of, if not all, of 2025-2026.

That being said, it is next man up mentality in Boston. Jaylen Brown will be the leader of the team but it will be guys like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard (last year’s Sixth Man of the Year) and newcomer Anfernee Simons that need to step up.

Simons might be the odd guard out that will have to come off the bench and he is more than capable to lead a second unit. Last year, Simons just shy of 20 points and five assists per game.

With minutes and opportunities available this season in Boston, Simons could really put up some big numbers off the bench.

Bet $100 to win $1,000 on Simons to win Sixth Man of Year

9. Defensive Player of the Year
I don’t think our pick here will shock many, but the value might. Victor Wembanyama is nothing short of a freak of nature when it comes to his 7-foot-3 frame and his ability to stretch the floor and make it impossible for players to score at the rim.

The rising star of the San Antonio Spurs has a ridiculous reach and makes blocks almost automatic when someone tries to score over him from inside.

He is the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year at -175, and the only way we see him missing out on this honor and dethrone Cleveland’s Evan Mobley is if he can’t stay healthy for the season.

Bet $175 to win $100 on Wemby to take home DPoY

The summer of side quests ?? pic.twitter.com/7r0p0Uljo9
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 22, 2025

8. LA Lakers over 46.5 wins
It is going to be a lot of smaller lineups for this year’s Los Angeles Lakers team but that isn’t a bad thing with the talent they have on their roster.

You could see Dorian Finney-Smith playing some center with LeBron also being the biggest on the court at times as well.

Luka Doncic is in great shape and putting up monster numbers in EuroBasket 2025. The point guard, who was shipped to LA-LA Land from Dallas in a shocking trade last year, looks ready to help King James make a big push in what could be one of, if not his final season. With contributing pieces like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, this Lakers team can score at will, and it will be up to their defense to be the difference.

Bet $115 o win $100 on Lakers winning 47 games

7. Indiana to miss playoffs
Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles in last year’s playoffs in the opening minutes of a Game 7 of the NBA Finals.The Pacers’ leader and centerpiece is going to out for some time and it will fall on the likes Andrew Nembhard, Myles Turner, Aaron Nesmith and Benedict Mathurin.

While the Pacers have a solid roster, without their leader, it may be difficult to get out of the gates with wins and could put them behind in the standings early.

Bet $145 to win $100 on the Pacers to miss playoffs

6. Most Improved
Even though we think Indiana will miss the playoffs, Benedict Mathurin could be a bright spot for the Pacers. When he is healthy, Mathurin has shown he can be a difference maker and a full season on the floor could show his true potential.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Mathurin is dropping more than 20 points per night and his athleticism allows him to be a great on ball defender.

Bet $100 to win $1,500 on Mathurin to win Most Improved

"The main impact I want to have on my team is to help my team."

Bennedict Mathurin took his game to the next level in his third season with the Blue & Gold ?? pic.twitter.com/niBhAHjtOG
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 8, 2025

5. Cleveland over 56.5 wins
The Cleveland Cavaliers hit the ground sprinting last season, beginning 15-0 and ending the season with an Eastern Conference best record of 64-18. Due to some injuries, the Cavs were bounced in the second round in five games to Indiana.

However, the team’s core is returning this year and even though Max Strus and Darius Garland may miss a couple of weeks to start the year, Cleveland has Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen to hold the fort down until they return.

The team chemistry is there and this team shouldn’t slow down their win rate from a season ago.

Bet $115 to win $100 on the Cavs to win 57 games

4. Southeast Division winner
The Miami Heat have been slowly decreasing productivity over the last couple of seasons and the Atlanta Hawks are trying to make a push with the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, but the Orlando Magic are the tough team in that division.

Acquiring Desmond Bane to play alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner is a big offseason addition for Orland and gives them a three-headed scoring threat to any defense.

Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. return as the big men for the Magic team and the youthful bench guards like Anthony Black and Jett Howard will provide some fast-paced play for the second unit.

Bet $160 to win $100 on the Magic to win Southeast

3. Rookie of the Year
Everyone knew months before the draft who the No. 1 overall pick this year would be and that was none other than Cooper Flagg from Duke.

The 6-foot-9 rookie has great size and speed, along with his ability to score at all three levels. Flagg will get a lot of minutes next to Anthony Davis and P.J. Washington in the forward spots and he is going to shine early and often.

The most impressive thing I have noticed watching Flagg play is that for the most part, he lets the game come to him and takes what is given. He doesn’t try to force too often and that keeps himself out of bad situations.

Bet $175 to win $100 on Flagg winning RoY

Getting closer ?#MFFL pic.twitter.com/uNKeHEDqwJ
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) September 17, 2025

2. Giannis to win MVP
It has been five seasons since the Greek Freak won back-to-back MVP awards, but that doesn’t mean Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t putting up monster numbers.

Last year, Giannis posted 30, 12 and 6 and that was with Damian Lillard in the backcourt. Unfortunately, Lillard suffered an injury and went to free agency and is now with the Portland Trailblazers, a reunion if you will.

That being said, Giannis is going to have to kick it up a notch if he wants his team in the playoffs and able to make some noise.

He hasn’t shown signs of slowing down, especially when he lowers his shoulder, takes on dribble and before you know it he is above the rim.

Bet $100 to win $1,000 on Giannis to win MVP

1. NBA Champion
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a dominant team a season ago and took home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. There is a team though with a stacked roster that feels they didn’t get to give it their all with injuries and an early playoff exit.

That team is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Once they bring back their players from injury, their starting five of Garland, Mitchell, Strus, Mobley and Allen can compete with any five in the NBA.

Mobley continues to expand his game each season and has started adding a jumper to his arsenal. The backcourt of Garland and Mitchell can compete with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams and go bucket for bucket with them.

Once healthy, this Cavs team is going to be laser focused with one goal in mind, winning 16 playoff games.

Bet $100 to tin $850 on Cleveland to win it all

Summer ?. Basketball ??. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/HZtrK3mDWT
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) September 15, 2025