With the NBA returning from the All-Star break and heading into the final eight weeks of the season, there are still some opportunities in the futures market that provide strong value and won't tie up funds for a long time.
Here are a few futures bets worth considering right now.
L.A. Lakers under 48.5 regular-season wins
The Los Angeles Lakers have the eighth-hardest strength of schedule remaining. They are often put on national TV against other strong marquee teams because of the increased attention. The Lakers have a backloaded schedule.
According to current market ratings, combined with their current record and remaining schedule, they are projected to win 47 games. This also does not factor in that Lebron James often sits on the second leg of back-to-backs, Luka Dončić is coming back from injury to a minutes restriction, and Austin Reaves went into the All-Star break coming off the bench and playing limited minutes because of a calf injury.
Given the number at 48.5, the projection at 47, the hard schedule and increased likelihood they sit stars during some schedule-loss games, the Lakers under was my first midseason futures bet.
L.A. Clippers under 41.5 regular-season wins
I used similar criteria to project the Clippers’ win total. I used market ratings and current record combined with remaining schedule and got to 41 wins, almost spot on with the market number of 41.5.
However, the Clippers just traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline and gutted their roster to get younger and collect future assets. It is unknown when Darius Garland is going to return.
Both their offense and defense took major hits that should cause some setbacks, leaving Kawhi Leonard with a massive usage rate to keep this team afloat. Brook Lopez has looked very slow footed and cannot provide the defensive backbone Zubac did. If Kawhi sits out any games, this team will likely take a dive in the wrong direction.
The Clippers’ actions show the front office is prioritizing future seasons, and it’s tough to envision a postseason run. Thus far, Leonard has played most back to backs, but I wonder if that shifts as the season nears the end and they are locked into a play-in seed. Their market rating right now might be the highest it is all season.
Cleveland Cavaliers to win Eastern Conference and NBA Finals (+300, +1200)
I am looking to back the Cavaliers in futures markets right now before they show us what a full roster looks like with the recent addition of James Harden and the returns of injured players Evan Mobley and Max Strus.
This team has by far the best shooters in the Eastern Conference, and I suspect it will finish the season and go into the playoffs as the clear favorites in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers consistently take sharp action in games vs. the New York Knicks, and I seriously doubt the Pistons’ chances in the playoffs, where spacing likely creates some issues.
The Pistons showed their hand at the deadline by not making a big win-now move, letting this team do what it can and considering 2025-26 a successful season.
On the other hand, the Cavaliers clearly want to win now by trading 26-year-old Darius Garland for a piece that is healthy and can bolster both their offense and defense in Harden.
Yes, Harden can bolster the Cavaliers’ defense. Historically, Garland would get picked on because of his size, and then Donovan Mitchell would have to also guard up in size and be exploited a bit as well and get worn down physically. If Harden is good at one thing defensively, it’s guarding against bigger plays, which allows Mitchell to go back to guarding his true PG position. This is an upgrade on both ends for the Cavaliers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win MVP (-200 or better)
Right now the biggest caveat in the MVP market is forecasting games played with the 65-game minimum required to qualify for NBA awards.
Gilgeous-Alexander has missed seven games and can miss 10 more. Nikola Jokić is the next contender for MVP, but if he misses just one more game he is disqualified. Gilgeous-Alexander went into the All-Star break not playing because of an abdominal injury. Based on the reported timing of his recovery and the Thunder’s upcoming schedule, I would predict SGA sits vs. the Brooklyn Nets on Friday and returns when the Thunder face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.
I am waiting for SGA to be ruled out on Friday and striking this bet Friday night or Saturday morning before he is potentially announced back for Sunday. SGA was north of a -700 favorite before sitting a few games with his injury and being able to get this below -200 right before he returns will be perfectly timed and a huge discount.
Hat tip to my friend, Joe Dellera, at Action Network for pointing out this schedule quirk as the OKC Thunder return from the break.