The brand new 2023-24 NBL season is now only a couple of days away from lift off, with the first game scheduled for Thursday, September 28th. It’s a great time of the year to look at some of the popular futures markets and we’ve provided our best bets for some of them below!
Also, make sure to check out NBL Tips page regularly to find our best bets for each and every game of the 2023-24 NBL season.
NBL 2023-24 Season Preview & Betting Tips
NBL Championship
Sydney Kings ($4 at UniBet) – Despite high roster turnover in recent seasons, the Kings have managed to stay ahead of the pack. They enter this campaign as the back-to-back NBL Champions and will shoot for the three-peat with an almost entirely different looking roster – at least at the top end. Reigning MVP Xavier Cooks is now playing for the Wizards in the NBA, while sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic has also opted out of his contract to seek opportunity overseas. The good news for the Kings is that 2021-22 league MVP Jaylen Adams has returned, while star forward DJ Hogg has also come over from Cairns.
Melbourne United ($5.50 at Bet365) – Melbourne United stormed home in the second half of last season but missed the finals by the narrowest of margins. They look to have improved their roster quite a bit over the off-season and should be featuring in the business end this time around. Luke Travers is an important signing and will play a big role, while Matthew Dellavedova and Ariel Hukporti will also be key pieces. However, Shea Ili is their most important player in my opinion and is coming off a couple of herculean performance for New Zealand in the World Cup. As soon as he returned to action last season United started their winning run.
Perth Wildcats ($7 at TAB) – Although they made the finals last season, the Perth Wildcats would be thoroughly disappointed with how things panned out. They’re the most successful franchise in the competition by some way, as well as the most consistent. The Wildcats secured one of the most important signatures in the off-season, luring Keanu Pinder from the Taipans. Pinder, along with Cotton, form arguably the best one-two punch in the NBL and will be absolutely deadly in the pick-and-roll. The Wildcats also have a couple of nice role players as they always do, and they’re my second pick to win the Championship at odds of $7.
New Zealand Breakers ($7 at TopSport) – My top pick for the NBL Championship this season is the 2022-23 runner-up in the New Zealand Breakers. They were desperately close to taking it all out last season which would’ve been an amazing achievement considering they finished in last place with a 5-23 record in the season prior. The Breakers secured the signature of Will McDowell-White in the off-season which is enormous for their chances this campaign, while favourite son Finn Delany will also return after a couple of seasons abroad. The Breakers new imports have looked impressive in the Blitz and have filled out a roster that I believe is the one to beat in NBL24.
SE Melbourne Phoenix ($11 at Ladbrokes) – The Phoenix finished fifth last season and will likely be middle of the pack again in NBL24. Having Mitch Creek, Gary Browne, and Alan Williams back again this campaign is crucial, but I still don’t think they have enough depth to seriously challenge when the chips are down.
Tasmania JackJumpers ($15 at Ladbrokes) – What an incredible two seasons the JackJumpers have had since their inception. They’ve proven most pundits wrong in both campaigns, finishing runner-up in NBL22 and finishing in the top four in NBL23. The only thing keeping them from going to the next level is the lack of firepower on offence, and they’re yet to sign anyone that looks capable of being the guy that can provide consistent help to Milton Doyle.
Illawarra Hawks ($15 at Bet365) – The Hawks were cruelled by injury last season which is the main reason they finished with only three wins from 28 games. The Breakers showed last season that quickly bouncing back into Championship contention is possible, although still rare. Getting Justin Robinson back into the mix is a big plus.
Brisbane Bullets ($15 at Bet365) – The Bullets were nowhere near it last season when finishing with an 8-20 record. Interestingly, they’ve brought back a very similar looking roster with just a couple of pieces changing. Positively, Aron Baynes looks to be in better form in the Blitz, while 17-year-old Rocco Zikarsky is one to watch over the next two seasons before his inevitable leap to the NBA.
Cairns Taipans ($15 at UniBet) – The Snakes were one of the most fun teams to watch last season but repeating or improving on their third-placed finish will be extremely difficult. They’ve lost their two best players in Keanu Pinder and DJ Hogg and filling their void is almost impossible.
Adelaide 36ers ($26 at TAB) – The 36ers NBL23 season was a rollercoaster to say the least. Expectations were at an all-time high after they defeated the Phoenix Suns in the pre-season, but unfortunately that was where it all peaked. With their current roster and constant in-house issues, it’s tough to see them making the finals this season.
NZ Breakers to Win Championship
$7
Most Valuable Player
Bryce Cotton ($4.50 at UniBet) – He’s built one of the best resumes in NBL history, particularly for an import. Cotton is a 2x MVP winner and 3x NBL champion with the Perth Wildcats. Highlighting his elite consistency from year to year, Cotton has made the All-NBL First Team in all six of his seasons in the league. He’s always in the MVP discussion and with the Wildcats likely improving from last season’s disappointment, he looks set to be right in the mix for the highest individual accolade once again.
Mitch Creek ($4.50 at Bet365) – Just like Cotton, Mitch Creek is a consistent high-level performer in the NBL and is coming off his best season in the competition which saw him earn All-NBL First Team honours. Creek was the runner-up in the MVP last campaign and his SE Melbourne Phoenix are expected to around the mark once again, which will automatically put him in the MVP mix.
Jaylen Adams ($7 at TAB) – Won the MVP when playing for the Kings in the 2021-22 season when averaging 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists across 21 games. He then decided to try his luck in Serbia and China last season where he struggled immensely, averaging less than 10 points per game in both leagues. Adams returns to the Kings for the 2023-24 season and while he’s proven himself before in this competition, I can’t entertain taking the $7 quote based on his horrible form overseas last year.
Bryce Cotton to Win MVP
$4.50
