Top players, teams (even the Pistons) to watch in NBA futures markets

The Detroit Pistons may finally be something of a sleeper this year. Should you bet on them?

Opening night in the NBA is fast approach and if you know me, you know that means it’s time for future bets. These aren’t the kinds of wagers that offer immediate satisfaction, it’s a long game that gives you something to root for all season long.

I’ll give you a mix of good bets, long shots and Pistons bets. Please, if you decide to toss a few bucks on these, be mindful of how much you bet. Remember: 1 unit = the normal amount you would bet, 0.5 unit = half that, and so on and so forth.

Let’s get to it!

MVP

Did you know it’s been six seasons since an American-born player has won MVP? It was James Harden in 2017… and I’m not sure that changes this season.

Best Bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC, +500 (1u)
I like Canadian-born Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to be the 2024-25 MVP. His Thunder have a great shot at the best record in the NBA, and I think Shai’s continued growth as a passer and defender will be enough to elevate his high-scoring style.

Good Bet: Anthony Edwards, MIN, +1200 (0.5u)
He has a magnetic personality and flashy game. He backs it up with elite production and just had a darling run to the WCF. KAT is gone. Now it’s his turn. If Manny is No. 1 in the West, I think Ant may be the MVP.

Longshot: Victor Wembanyama, SAS, +2000 (0.5u)
I’ve had a gut feeling about my long shot since April. I thought Victor Wembanyama might have been the best player in the NBA then, and I still do now. The Spurs need to win 45+ games for him to sniff MVP, but when the greats get rolling, they rarely miss the playoffs.

Throw a few bucks on him because that is a fun one to root for all season.

Pistons Angle:
Maybe next year, Cade.

Rookie of the Year

This was the hardest market to handicap, which makes sense because it was the hardest draft to handicap in recent memory.

Best Bet: Reed Sheppard, HOU, +650 (0.5u)
Reed Sheppard of the Rockets is a great start. He has the potential to be one of the best shooters in the league off the bat and he joins a rising Rockets team that has plenty of talent around him. Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun will get him a lotttt of open looks.

Longshot: Rob Dillingham, MIN, +1700 (0.25u)
Rob is a bucket getter who landed in a situation where he’ll have a solidified role. He’s a zero on defense, but highlights and contributing to a contender can go a long way.

Pistons Angle: Ron Holland, DET, +2000 (0.25u)
This is also the first Pistons spot. Ron has a lot to work on, but he’s shown that he’s a freakin’ dog in preseason. I don’t know how big of a role he’ll get or if he’ll make enough shots to matter, but he’s got a chance to make a big impact by season’s end.

Defensive Player of the Year

This is tough because I think it’s definitely going to be Victor, but playing him at -170 is unbettable. You’re better off putting your money in a savings account for the interest.

Best Bet: Chet Holmgren, OKC, +1200 (0.5 unit)

I love Chet. He’s disruptive and versatile, capable of defending the rim and switching onto wing scorers. Health is always a concern here, even if it shouldn’t be, but if OKC is a top team with an elite defense, he has a shot at this.

Longshot: Jonathan Isaac, ORL, +8000 (0.1 unit)

If we get a fully-healthy season from Jonathan Isaac’s legs, this has legs.

Pistons Angle:
They’ll be better, but not like this.

Most Improved Player

This used to be a reward of an award, but in recent years it’s been used as an opportunity to crown the next great star rather than a player who has truly taken a leap.

Best Bet: Jalen Williams, OKC, +1100 (1u)
I thought Jalen Williams had a case last season, but that’s kind of the key because now he’s set up to really be the other guy in OKC. It feels like I’m very in on OKC, and that’s because I am. Williams is a great young player. It’s his turn to make a leap.

Good Bet: Jalen Johnson, ATL, +1800 (0.5u)
Yep, another Jalen. As much of a project as he was coming out of Duke, he really showed the full breadth of his game last season as a scorer and playmaker. I think he’s one of those guys who can get a triple-double anytime. Hawks need him to take another step.

Longshot: Brandon Podziemski, GSW, +3500 (0.25u)
Klay Thompson and Chris Paul are gone. Minutes are available alongside Steph Curry in Golden State and Podz is going to get a ton of ‘em. He does a lot well as a combo guard and I think he’ll shoot more 3s this year. There’s volume for a big bump in production.

Pistons Angle: Jaden Ivey, DET, +5000 (0.10u)
This might be a season early, but Jaden looks better in preseason and I’m optimistic that the combo of J.B. Bickerstaff’s system and style, Fred Vinson’s coaching on his shot plus a healthy dose of confidence (and spacing!!) can help Ivey level up.

Sixth Man of the Year

This one is fun, but I’m only gonna throw out two names here because it’s one that really changes as the season unfolds. Malik Monk was the odds-on favorite all season until an injury opened the door for Naz Reid, who stormed in to win it.

Best Bet: Donte DiVincenzo, MIN, +1300 (0.5u)
There’s a new view on Donte after he basically morphed into prime Klay Thompson during the Knicks playoff run. Now, he’s going to get ample opportunity for Minnesota and he’ll play a lot of minutes with Ant-Man. This is a scorer’s award, and he gets buckets.

Longshot: Russell Westbrook, DEN, +2000 (0.25u)
Call me crazy, but I think Russ was impactful for the Clippers last season in this role and now he’s in Denver playing with Nikola Jokic. Life should be as easy for Westbrook and I can see him really being a stat-stuffing piece for Denver.

Pistons Angle: ‍♂️
Don’t think there’s an option here. Just not enough good players for a great sixth man yet.

Coach of the Year

This is a fickle place to bet, so I’m just gonna throw out two names on two sides of the spectrum — one at the contender level and one at the pretender level.

Good Bet: Mike Budenholer, PHX, +2000 (0.25u)
If Bud can take all of that talent and get the Suns, who now actually have some depth, to the top of the West, I think he’d be the choice. They were so functionally dysfunctional on the court last season, a new voice might be the key.

Pistons Angle: J.B. Bickerstaff, DET, +6000 (0.1u)
I said this on Twitter the other day, but I think the Pistons would need to be a play-in team (or maybe even .500ish) and have nationally-recognized improvement (big defensive jump, high-power offense or All-Star season from Cade) to make this a reality. Vibes play.