The 2026-27 NBA season is almost here, and the championship race looks wide open. The New York Knicks return as defending champions, San Antonio are looking to go one better after reaching the Finals, and several major offseason moves have reshaped the competition.
We've taken a closer look at the NBA Championship, MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year markets to find our best futures bets for the new season.
2027 NBA Finals Betting Tips & Predictions
Who Will Win the NBA Championship?
Oklahoma City and San Antonio deserve their positions at the top of the market. The Thunder finished last season with an NBA-best 64-18 record, but the Spurs beat them in a seven-game Western Conference Finals before falling to New York in five games. The Knicks, meanwhile, went an extraordinary 16-3 throughout the playoffs to claim their first championship since 1973.
There has been plenty of movement since then. Philadelphia have added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a team already featuring Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, Miami have brought in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Boston have added Paul George. Those teams have enormous potential, but there will be plenty of pressure to make their new combinations work.
Oklahoma City remain a major threat with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, although the departures of Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe have taken away three useful rotation players. With the Thunder priced at $3.75, we prefer two alternatives who have already shown they can win deep into the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio's run to the NBA Finals was no fluke. The Spurs won 62 games in the regular season, then knocked out Oklahoma City in seven games to reach their first Finals since 2014. They fell short against New York, but that experience should be invaluable for a young group that already looks capable of challenging for several years.
Victor Wembanyama gives them an advantage that very few teams can match. He averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and a league-leading 3.08 blocks last season, winning Defensive Player of the Year while becoming a far more complete offensive threat. Around him, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper continue to develop, while De'Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell provide established scoring and playmaking. The addition of Tobias Harris brings another experienced option to the rotation.
There are still questions over outside shooting and how Mitch Johnson balances his guards, but the Spurs aren't starting from scratch. They've already beaten the West's strongest side in a playoff series, and their best players are still improving. At $4.00, they're our preferred selection to go one better.
San Antonio Spurs to Win NBA Championship
$4.00 (1 Unit)
New York Knicks
The defending champions are surprisingly available at double-figure odds. New York lost just three games during last season's playoffs, with Jalen Brunson producing one of the great Finals performances to finish off San Antonio. That run showed the value of having reliable shot creators, a settled rotation and players who can handle the pressure of tight games.
Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart are all back, giving Mike Brown the same core that won the title. Mitchell Robinson's departure to Boston is a genuine loss defensively and on the offensive glass, although Andre Drummond provides an experienced replacement in the frontcourt.
The Eastern Conference is considerably tougher, particularly with Philadelphia's new stars and Giannis joining Miami. But those teams need to build chemistry, while New York already know exactly what works for them. The Knicks won't replicate last season's remarkable playoff record easily, yet the market appears to be overlooking just how strong this group remains. At $10.00, they're worth backing to repeat.
New York Knicks to Win NBA Championship
$10.00 (1 Unit)
2026-27 NBA MVP Betting Tips & Predictions
Victor Wembanyama
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the past two MVP awards, and Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic will again be in the conversation. However, Victor Wembanyama enters the new season with an outstanding opportunity to claim his first MVP.
Wembanyama's impact goes well beyond his scoring. He averaged 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds last season while leading the league in blocked shots, and his ability to transform San Antonio's defence makes him one of the most influential players in basketball. At just 22, there's still plenty of improvement to come, particularly with his passing and shot creation.
Team success should also work in his favour. The Spurs won 62 games last season and have every chance of finishing near the top of the Western Conference again. In the NBA's annual preseason survey, 77% of general managers picked Wembanyama to win MVP. His injury history is the main concern, with award eligibility making availability especially important, but a healthy Wembanyama has the strongest all-round case. We're happy to take the $3.30 rather than chase a bigger price.
Victor Wembanyama to Win NBA MVP
$3.30 (1 Unit)
2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Tips
Cameron Boozer
The 2026 draft has delivered an exciting crop of prospects, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson all capable of making an immediate impact. Boozer wasn't the first player selected, but he looks to have landed in one of the best situations for Rookie of the Year honours.
Memphis are starting a new chapter after moving on from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., and the No. 3 pick should receive plenty of opportunities in a rebuilding side. Boozer arrives from Duke after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his only college season. He's a polished scorer, a strong rebounder and an excellent passer for his size, giving him several ways to fill the stat sheet.
There will be competition for minutes and touches, but Boozer has the maturity and versatility to contribute straight away. The general managers also made him their leading Rookie of the Year pick in the preseason survey. With Memphis likely to prioritise development, he has a strong chance of putting together the consistent numbers voters tend to reward. At $3.50, Boozer is our selection.
Cameron Boozer to Win Rookie of the Year
$3.50 (1 Unit)
2026-27 NBA Most Improved Player Betting Tips
Brandon Miller
Most Improved Player is one of the hardest markets to predict, but Brandon Miller has a very clear path to making the jump voters are looking for. Charlotte have traded LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, putting more responsibility on Miller and Kon Knueppel as the Hornets move forward with a different core.
Miller averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season, shooting 38.3% from three. Those are already good numbers, but the former No. 2 pick has the talent to take another significant step with a larger offensive role. Charlotte will need him to create shots, get to the line more often and become a more consistent playmaker. If he pushes towards 25 points per game while improving his efficiency, he'll be right in contention for the award.
The concern is his health. Miller underwent shoulder surgery in May after playing through problems last season, so the recovery is worth taking seriously. Encouragingly, he returned to preseason action in October, including an 18-point performance against Milwaukee. With a much clearer route to becoming Charlotte's main offensive option, Miller has a stronger case than simply hoping an outsider makes an unexpected leap. He's our pick at $8.00.
Brandon Miller to Win Most Improved Player
$8.00 (1 Unit)
2026-27 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Betting Tips
Ayo Dosunmu
Sixth Man of the Year is as much about role as talent. A player needs to come off the bench more often than he starts, so there's little point backing someone whose place in the starting five is already secure. That takes Dylan Harper out of serious consideration following San Antonio's move to a three-guard starting line-up.
Ajay Mitchell is a legitimate contender after averaging 13.6 points for Oklahoma City last season, and the Thunder have minutes available following their offseason departures. However, his $5.00 price is considerably shorter than the $12.00 available for Ayo Dosunmu, who has a more clearly defined role in Minnesota.
Dosunmu averaged 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season, shooting an excellent 51.7% from the field and 43.9% from three. With Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball forming Minnesota's starting backcourt, Dosunmu is set to lead the second unit. Coach Chris Finch has spoken about his increased responsibilities, particularly the need for more scoring and energy off the bench. He's efficient, can defend multiple guard positions and should play meaningful minutes for a competitive team.
The Timberwolves will need to keep him in that reserve role, and Mitchell remains a major danger, but Dosunmu has a realistic path to winning without needing an unlikely change of circumstances. At $12.00, he is our preferred Sixth Man selection.
Ayo Dosunmu to Win Sixth Man of the Year
$12 (1 Unit)
