FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings are the best NBA futures betting sites. FanDuel offers the broadest range of regular season win markets, while BetMGM unlocks competitive odds and Lions Boosts on futures. DraftKings publishes the most diverse selection of futures markets overall.
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The top 3 NBA futures betting sites are:
- 🥇 FanDuel: Our pick of the best sports betting apps, offering highly competitive win total markets.
- 🥈 BetMGM: Of all NBA betting sites, it offers consistently competitive futures odds and boosts.
- 🥉 DraftKings: Has the most diverse selection of futures markets and parlays.
These recommendations are based on extensive and independent testing. Our team made real money deposits and compared all NBA futures odds across a number of sportsbooks, engaging in line shopping to identify the best value lines and markets.
We’ll delve a little deeper into our findings below. You’ll also find extensive coverage of the latest NBA futures odds, helping you to make informed selections that can maximize your potential returns.
NBA Futures Markets and Bet Types
NBA futures refer to long-term and season-long outcomes, rather than those associated with a single game. Such betting lines are usually published during preseason, while they remain available throughout the campaign.
When compared to NBA moneylines and spreads, futures generally offer longer odds but lower implied probability values. Futures are also available across a number of different markets, including the following:
- NBA Championship Winner
- Conference / Division Winners
- MVP Winner
- Rookie of the Year (ROTY)
- Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY)
- Season Win Totals
- NBA Draft
NBA Championship Betting Guide
NBA Championship betting is focused on the eventual winner of the NBA finals. For these odds to be explained in full, you’ll need to understand how they change throughout the season based on factors such as team performances, trades, load management and injuries.
The Mechanics of NBA Championship Futures
NBA championship futures are often published shortly after the conclusion of the previous season. Betting favorites are usually priced at between +150 and +400, allowing you to back outcomes with implied probability values of between 40.0% and 20.0%.
Conversely, longshots may be priced anywhere between +1000 and +50000 (9.1% and 0.2%), although even longer odds may be available depending on the nature of the field.
Favorites tend to be most competitively priced when the odds are first released. They’ll subsequently see their price shortened throughout the preseason and beyond, depending on the impact of player trades and how they perform during the regular season.
However, longshots are more likely to see their odds stabilize or shorten over time, especially if they perform better than expected in their conference. So, timing is a crucial component of your futures betting strategy, regardless of your pick or appetite for risk. Most NBA Championship futures bets will be settled upon the conclusion of the regular season.
A Futures Hedging Strategy
While preseason futures picks offer the best value in terms of potential returns, bets placed after the trade deadline may be more informed and have a better chance of winning.
Regardless, there’s also an opportunity to hedge your futures pick ahead of the NBA finals, in order to guarantee at least a nominal return.
For example, let’s say that you backed Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Championship at the beginning of the season with a $100 wager at odds of +240. In the finals, they face off against the Boston Celtics from the Eastern Conference, who are priced at +140 to win the best-of-seven match series.
By also subsequently staking $100 on Boston to win the final, you’ll lock in a minimum profit of $40. This will be payable if the Celtics triumph, but a Thunder victory would pay out $240 and a net profit of $140.
Current NBA Futures Odds
As we’ve touched on, the pre-season NBA finals favorites were Oklahoma City Thunder, who were priced at around +240 and afforded a 29.4% chance of emerging victorious. However, they’re now priced as low as +120 with FanDuel, implying a 45.5% win probability for Mark Daigneault’s men.
This is based largely on the team’s consistent regular season performance, which has seen them compile a 55-15 record to date and a win percentage of .786. Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also led the franchise’s offense, contributing a career high 32.7 PPG so far.
However, BetMGM are currently pricing a Thunder win at +140, implying a 41.7% win probability. A successful bet at these odds would trigger a payout that’s 14.2% higher than FanDuel, while DraftKings price of +135 is sandwiched in between these 2 options.
Below, you’ll find a summary of the latest NBA Championship odds. As we’ve touched on, BetMGM offers optimal value when backing the Thunder to triumph, although FanDuel are far more competitive when pricing underdogs.
| Team | FanDuel | BetMGM | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder | +125 | +140 | +135 |
| Celtics | +600 | +600 | +550 |
| Spurs | +650 | +600 | +650 |
| Nuggets | +950 | +900 | +700 |
| Cavaliers | +1000 | +1200 | +1600 |
| Knicks | +1600 | +1700 | +1600 |
| Pistons | +1900 | +1700 | +1700 |
| Rockets | +4000 | +3500 | +4000 |
| Timberwolves | +4500 | +3500 | +4000 |
| Lakers | +7500 | +8000 | +5000 |
Odds are subject to change and accurate as of 18.03.26.
Updated NBA Championship Odds
In terms of updated NBA Championship odds, the Thunder have continued to see their price fall since the end of February. The franchise is currently embarked on a 10-game winning streak, with this sequence including a two-point win over Championship rivals Boston on March 12th.
At the time of writing, the Thunder remain the only franchise to have qualified for the playoffs in 2024/25.
DraftKings also recently slashed the Lakers’ Championship odds to +5000, with the side having gone 9-1 since February 25th. Luka Doncic has been in imperious form during this run, notching 335 points at a rate of 33.5 per game and top-scoring on nine separate occasions.
Denver went 9-2 and 4-0 on the road in February, as their Championship odds shortened to +1400. However, they lost four straight matches at the beginning of March, while they were recently defeated 119-108 by the Raptors. So, they’re now priced as high as +1900 with FanDuel, which implies just a 5.0% win probability.
NBA Futures Predictions and Analysis
The recent fluctuations in odds should also be considered when making NBA futures predictions and picks. The Thunder still offer value despite their exceptional regular season form and shortened odds, but you may also want to identify outside Championship picks and potential conference winners. Here are some insights to consider:
- Outside NBA Championship Picks: The San Antonio Spurs have almost matched the Thunder this season, going 51-18 and compiling a .739 win percentage. They appear to be peaking as the season progresses, going 19-2 in their previous 21 games and 11-0 in the month of February. The Spurs also defeated Oklahoma 116-106 on February 4th, and will have home court advantage right up until the conference finals. They can be backed at odds of +650 with FanDuel and BetMGM.
- Oklahoma Remains the Western Conference Favorites: While the Spurs may be peaking, the Thunder also remain in excellent form and are firm favorites to win the Western Conference. Their odds of -140 imply a 58.3% win probability, while the Spurs are priced at +360 (21.7%). Despite being inspired by Luka Doncic and having won their last six matches, the Lakers are still priced at +3300 to win the Western Conference, so they offer potential value as an outside pick in this market.
- Backing the Celtics for the Eastern Conference: The Pistons currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 49-19 and .721 record, but they’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 matches and are priced at a distant +480 to prevail in this market. The Celtics and the Knicks are in much better form, having both gone 7-3 in their previous 10 and won three and four matches consecutively. The return of Jayson Tatum from his Achilles injury will also boost Boston and potentially enhance their value at odds of +170.
NBA Season Win Totals and Over/Under Bets
You can also bet on the number of regular season wins a team will record. In this market, sportsbooks will pick a consensus total based on a franchise’s historic record, recent roster changes and their power rankings. You can then bet either over or under this line based on your own market analysis.
Pre-Season Win Total Lines
Pre-season NBA over/under win lines are set using a combination of the above factors. For example, the Thunder topped the preseason power rankings and compiled a 68-14 win record (.829) in 2024/25. So, BetMGM set a consensus win line of 62.5, before pricing both sides of this market at -110.
Overall, the pre-season win total odds are quite tightly spread, ranging between -135 and +105. This unlocks implied probability values of between 57.4% and 48.8%, which reflects the level of analysis that goes into setting each consensus line.
From a strategic perspective, it’s recommended that you bet early on teams that have enjoyed a positive offseason and performed well during the previous campaign (such as the Thunder). Conversely, you may want to bet under the consensus line for teams that struggled last season and have lost key players.
In-Season Win Total Lines
In-season NBA win totals and odds are constantly updated, based on results and team form. This creates new markets at sites like FanDuel, where you can wager on the team that will record the most regular season wins and adjusted lines for individual franchises.
The latter markets eschew over/under betting, and instead let you bet on whether a team will win a specified number of matches. For example, you can now back Oklahoma to win 65+ matches in the regular season at odds of -102, which is a low-margin price that implies a 50.5% win probability.
The Thunder have already won 55 regular season matches (including their previous 10) and have 12 matches to go.
However, they would have to win 11 of these games at a rate of .916 for this bet to pay out, while their schedule includes tough road trips to face Boston and the Lakers.
NBA MVP Futures and Player Award Bets
In terms of player futures, there are a number of award markets that you can wager on. NBA MVP futures are the most popular and widely bet on, across both the regular season and the finals.
As the 2025/26 season approaches its conclusion, the aforementioned Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the overwhelming favorite to be voted the regular season MVP. DraftKings are offering the best odds outcome (-1100), which imply a 91.7% probability of the 27-year-old winning the award.
Gilgeous-Alexander was priced at +250 (28.6%) at the beginning of the campaign. A successful $100 stake at this time would generate $250 in profit, compared to just $9.09 when wagering at the current odds. So, betting early on MVP favorites can realize optimal value, especially if they play for leading franchises like the Thunder or Lakers.
| Player (Team) | FanDuel | BetMGM | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) | -1500 | -1200 | -1100 |
| Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) | +2500 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Luka Doncic (Lakers) | +3500 | +5000 | +3500 |
| Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) | +3500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Jaylen Brown (Celtics) | +20000 | +15000 | +10000 |
| Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) | +60000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Jalen Brunson (Knicks) | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
| Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) | +100000 | +100000 | +100000 |
Which Sites Offer the Deepest Player Award Markets?
Overall, FanDuel and DraftKings offer the broadest selection of player award markets. These include the NBA finals MVP and defensive player of the year, alongside the Clutch player of the season.
You can also wager on the winner of the MVP in the Eastern and Western conferences, or the identity of the most improved player of the campaign. The latter market can offer value to informed and analytical bettors, who are willing to study performance statistics in detail and combine this with data from the previous season.
In terms of odds, FanDuel offers the best value and most competitive prices overall. However, DraftKings tend to apply a slightly longer price to favorites across all player award markets, whereas FanDuel is recommended when backing underdogs or longshots.
Just remember, BetMGM and DraftKings are slightly superior to FanDuel when it comes to in-game NBA player props.
NBA Rookie of the Year Futures
Another popular player award market is the so-called Rookie of the Year. This works in the exact same way as the MVP market, but focuses on players who are competing in their debut season. Here’s a summary of the latest odds in this market:
| Player (Team) | FanDuel | BetMGM | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kon Knueppel (Hornets) | -200 | -210 | -215 |
| Cooper Flagg (Mavericks) | +150 | +160 | +170 |
| VJ Edgecombe (76ers) | +25000 | +25000 | +15000 |
Once again, FanDuel offers the most competitive NBA rookie of the year futures. They’ve priced the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel at -200, compared to -215 at DraftKings. As a result, FanDuel’s odds unlock potential returns that are 6.98% higher, so they’re the best option if you want to back the favorite.
We’ve historically seen some correlation between ROTY and the NBA draft, with the top draft picks usually favored at the beginning of the campaign. However, this year’s favorite was only the fourth pick in the 2025 draft, while mid-first-round selections also tend to fare well.
In addition to line shopping, the key is to use analysis and determine which rookies are physically capable of adapting to the unique pace, power and explosiveness of the NBA. Also, note that while our top 3 NBA futures sportsbooks all offer ROTY odds, the same isn’t true across all betting sites.
Best NBA Futures Bets to Make
Before you make NBA futures bets, you’ll need to determine your risk profile and analyze the datasets that are most pertinent to your chosen markets. Below, we’ve recommended some high value picks based on the current standings and performance metrics.
- Pick the Spurs for the NBA Championship: The Thunder are the obvious pick for the NBA finals, but as we’ve already touched on, the Spurs have gone 51-18 (.739) this season and registered a 19-2 record since the beginning of February. They also boast defensive player of the year lock Victor Wembanyama (-1800) in their ranks, and are now priced at +650 to win with FanDuel. Their odds were as high as +6000 at the beginning of the season, while they’ll enjoy home court advantage for most of the postseason.
- Back Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the MVP: In addition to averaging 32.7 PPG this year, the Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander has produced 6.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game (both career bests). He has starred in the Thunder’s impressive run, and while incredibly short MVP odds don’t offer huge value, it’s hard to see any other winner in 2025/26. So, consider maximizing your bet unit (within the confines of your bankroll) and target DraftKings’ market leading odds of -1100.
- Use Futures Parlays to Maximize Returns: At sites such as FanDuel, it’s also possible to create same game parlays that incorporate futures outcomes. For example, you can pick the Spurs to win the NBA Championship and record 60+ regular season wins, and select Boston (who are peaking at the right time) to win the Eastern Conference. This unlocks odds of +1860 and an implied win probability of 5.1%, which is fairly typical for a 3-leg parlay.
When building futures parlays, note that 3 and 4-leg wagers offer the optimal value between risk and reward. It’s also worth noting that all futures picks tie up capital for the duration of the season when you bet early, so don’t allocate more than 10% of your bankroll to such wagers at any given time.
FanDuel NBA Futures Review
21+ in OH. $5 min deposit req. Bonus Bets non-withdrawable, expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
FanDuel is our pick as the number one NBA futures sportsbook. FanDuel has integrated selected futures markets into its same-game parlay (SGP) offering, while the site also offers the broadest range of regular season win lines. It also has a market leading app that’s responsive and easy to use.
Key Features for NBA Futures
By allowing you to combine a wide selection of futures markets in potentially lucrative SGP structures, FanDuel unlocks highly competitive odds. The brand’s NBA Championship and MVP odds offer particular value, especially when backing underdogs and longshots.
For example, the Pistons are now priced at +1900 to win the NBA Championship with FanDuel. BetMGM and DraftKings are both offering odds of +1700, which translate into potential returns that are 10.5% lower.
FanDuel has also priced the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic at +3500 in the MVP winner market. These odds are 28.6% longer than BetMGM and DraftKings, who have priced this particular outcome at just +2500.
During the course of our FanDuel review, we also found that early cashout options are available on selected NBA futures bets. This can allow for full and partial cashouts, enabling you to bank at least nominal returns if a particular market moves against you.
Mobile Experience
4.8/5 from 2.0 million+ reviews (iOS) | 4.7/5 from 96K+ reviews (Android)
FanDuel’s native iOS app is one of the most highly rated on the market, with an average score of 4.8/5 from more than 2 million reviews. There are 1,200+ reviews that praised the app’s ease of use, particularly the parlay betting hub (which also encompasses qualifying futures markets).
When you first open the app, it takes just 2 taps to access NBA futures. There’s also a high level of touch responsiveness when scrolling through extended futures markets, which are presented in a list format within a single tab.
Although this layout would benefit from improvement, the process of building NBA futures and placing bets is incredibly simple. In fact, extensive UX studies have revealed the FanDuel app’s bet slip design to be the cleanest on the market and ideal for beginners.
The Android app has an average rating of 4.7/5, albeit from a much smaller number of reviews. This unlocks better home screen widgets for tracking scores and active bets, although the iOS app is slightly smoother and more responsive. Both native apps allow for push notifications, which can relay odds changes on watched futures in real-time.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Access the most competitive Championship and MVP odds on underdogs |
The app’s futures tab is presented as a vertical list and could be laid out better |
|
Build NBA SGPs across a broad range of futures markets |
Favorite futures picks are less competitively priced than underdogs |
|
Benefit from touch responsiveness when scrolling FanDuel’s futures lines |
|
|
Receive push notifications when odds change on watched futures |
Access the most competitive Championship and MVP odds on underdogs
Build NBA SGPs across a broad range of futures markets
Benefit from touch responsiveness when scrolling FanDuel’s futures lines
Receive push notifications when odds change on watched futures
The app’s futures tab is presented as a vertical list and could be laid out better
Favorite futures picks are less competitively priced than underdogs
BetMGM NBA Futures Review
21+ in OH. $10 min bet req. Bonus Bets non-withdrawable, expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
BetMGM covers a similarly deep range of NBA futures, including award markets. This includes Sixth Man of The Year (6MOY) betting, which is focused on non-starters who make the biggest impact off the bench. This book also offers highly competitive futures odds, especially to those who want to back Championship or MVP favorites.
Key Features for NBA Futures
For example, let’s say that you bet on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to win the regular season MVP at odds of -1200 at BetMGM. Successfully staking $100 at these odds would payout $8.33 in pure profit and around 20.0% more than the exact same wager at FanDuel.
Selected BetMGM futures may also benefit from the application of so-called Lion’s Boosts. Typically, such boosts range between 15% and 50%, while NBA Championship and Conference winner lines are most frequently targeted.
BetMGM lets you bet on the identity of the NBA finalists too. Every possible combination is available and regularly updated throughout the season, with early wagers delivering optimal value here. Currently, the shortest price matchup is the Celtics against the Thunder at +400.
This book also offers full integration with the lucrative MGM Rewards program. You can earn Rewards Credits (RCs) on every single wager that you place, with 50 available for every $100 staked on parlays (including qualifying futures lines). RCs can be redeemed for online bonus bets and comp at 31 global MGM locations. You can learn more by reading our full BetMGM review.
Mobile Experience
4.8/5 from 254K+ reviews (iOS) | 4.0/5 from 39.5K+ reviews (Android)
Like FanDuel, BetMGM has an average rating of 4.8/5 on iOS. Although this score has been aggregated from a much smaller number of reviews (254K+), the app is incredibly functional and intuitively laid out to prioritize the most important features.
For example, the Deposit button is located in the top-right corner of the lobby, just above a horizontal scrolling menu that details available bonuses. Relevant Lion’s Boosts are listed below, while the bet slip is clearly visible at the bottom of the page. From here, you can access all NBA features markets in just 2 taps.
BetMGM also enables you to customize your settings and receive multiple push notifications. These can relate to bet and futures results, alongside the publication of new promotions or Lion’s Boosts.
Across both iOS and Android, the BetMGM app has experienced performance issues on older devices. Various Reddit threads have referenced app glitches on newer devices too, contributing to a lower average rating of 4.0 from 39.5K+ reviews on Android.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Claim Lion’s Boosts of between 15% and 50% on qualifying futures |
There are fewer regular season win total markets available |
|
Access competitive futures odds when backing favorites |
The Android app has a relatively low score and experiences regular glitches |
|
Bet on extensive NBA futures including the Sixth Man of The Year (6MOY) market |
|
|
Earn Reward Credits on every wager and redeem these for bonus bets and comp |
Claim Lion’s Boosts of between 15% and 50% on qualifying futures
Access competitive futures odds when backing favorites
Bet on extensive NBA futures including the Sixth Man of The Year (6MOY) market
Earn Reward Credits on every wager and redeem these for bonus bets and comp
There are fewer regular season win total markets available
The Android app has a relatively low score and experiences regular glitches
DraftKings NBA Futures Review
21+ in OH. $5 min bet req. New Customer Offer Token expires 7 days after offer expiration. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
While the competitiveness of DraftKings’ odds can vary from one futures market to the next, this book offers clear value across most NBA Championship and MVP lines. Overall, DraftKings offers the deepest range of NBA futures markets, including numerous Play In lines.
Key Features for NBA Futures
The diverse selection of NBA futures at DraftKings is influenced in part by the brand’s commercial partnership with the National Basketball Association. This affords them extensive rights to integrate NBA assets and datasets, which also contributes to the publication of highly accurate odds.
DraftKings’ Play In markets let you wager on the franchises that will qualify for this stage from each conference. A diverse choice of Play In specials are available too, including qualifying teams to reach the NBA finals. You can also build 4-leg In Play parlays, creating the opportunity to wager at enhanced odds.
DraftKings covers the largest selection of NBA awards markets, including the league’s Most Improved and best Clutch players. These markets offer particular value to informed bettors who can predict likely winners using their knowledge and insight.
You can also earn DK Crowns on qualifying futures bets. Crowns can be redeemed for bonus bets, contest entries, DK Dollars and merchandise from the Dynasty Store. Tier credits can also be earned when you place futures bets at DK, helping you to move between 5 different levels and unlock unique odds boosts and variable store discounts.
Mobile Experience
4.8/5 from 976K+ reviews (iOS) | 4.7/5 from 222K+ reviews (Android)
The DraftKings app is highly rated on both iOS and Android. Its average score of 4.8/5 on iOS has been aggregated from 976K+ reviews, while this falls only slightly to 4.7/5 on Android (from 222K+ reviews).
When you open the app on both iOS and Android, you’ll see the NBA tab located on a sticky horizontal menu at the top of the page. From here, you can access NBA futures lines with just 2 taps, while the site’s pre-built parlay and SGP picks will run prominently from left to right.
The app’s layout is slick and intuitive, while it uses subtle green and orange tones to highlight odds and key information. The sticky menu at the bottom of the page is always available too, enabling you to access the home page, bet slip and live betting tabs with just a single tap.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
A commercial partnership with NBA unlocks key futures datasets |
There are fewer win total betting lines as the season progresses |
|
Access the broadest range of Play In and award futures |
DraftKings’ customer support is inconsistent and could be improved |
|
DK Crowns can be earned on futures bets and redeemed for variable prizes |
|
|
Build 3 and 4 leg futures parlays across a number of markets |
A commercial partnership with NBA unlocks key futures datasets
Access the broadest range of Play In and award futures
DK Crowns can be earned on futures bets and redeemed for variable prizes
Build 3 and 4 leg futures parlays across a number of markets
There are fewer win total betting lines as the season progresses
DraftKings’ customer support is inconsistent and could be improved
Caesars, bet365, Fanatics and theScore BET NBA Futures
Outside of our best 3 NBA futures betting sites, Caesars, bet365, Fanatics and theScore BET are all valid alternatives. Below, we’ll take a closer look at these sportsbooks and what sets their futures betting experience apart.
Caesars Sportsbook
21+ in OH. $1 min bet req. Profit Boosts expire 14 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Caesars is also an official partner of the NBA and the sports technology brand Sportsradar. This affords the sportsbook access to exclusive optical tracking data for the NBA, creating more competitively priced futures markets.
Caesars also publishes frequent odds boosts, which may be applied to qualifying NBA futures. Such boosts typically range between 10% and 15%, but can be higher in some instances.
This app is also fully integrated with the Caesars Rewards program. So, you can earn reward and tier credits on every qualifying futures bet that you place, with up to 20 RCs awarded when you stake $100 on parlays.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Extensive NBA odds boosts of between 10% and 15% on average |
Non-boosted futures odds are less competitive than FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings |
Extensive NBA odds boosts of between 10% and 15% on average
Non-boosted futures odds are less competitive than FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings
bet365
21+ in OH. Bonus Bets expire 7 days after receipt. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
bet365 is another market leading NBA betting site, which also publishes generous futures boosts. For example, the book recently boosted the Nuggets’ odds of winning the 2024/25 NBA Championship from +850 to +1000, creating a potential return that’s 15% higher.
bet365 runs a diverse selection of NBA futures too, including the Conference finals MVP and season-long stat leaders across different performance metrics (such as points or rebounds per game).
There are also early payout promotions that apply to selected NBA markets. This will ensure that qualifying wagers payout once certain conditions are met, regardless of how the market is eventually settled.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Bet on stats leaders for the season across a number of performance metrics |
The native Android app can crash without warning |
Bet on stats leaders for the season across a number of performance metrics
The native Android app can crash without warning
Fanatics Sportsbook
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Gambling problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER
The Fanatics loyalty program awards FanCash on every NBA futures bet that you place. You can earn at a starting rate of 3% when building futures-inspired parlays, while it’s possible to recoup up to 10% of your stake when wagering at odds of +14,500 or longer.
At the beginning of the 2024/25 season, Fanatics also doubled the amount of FanCash paid out across all NBA bets for one month. The sportsbook offers extensive win totals betting markets too, alongside novelty futures such as the team that will finish with the worst record.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Claim up to 10% in FanCash on every NBA futures bet that you place |
This is a mobile-only brand that has no desktop sportsbook |
Claim up to 10% in FanCash on every NBA futures bet that you place
This is a mobile-only brand that has no desktop sportsbook
theScore BET
theScore BET is another mobile-first betting brand, and one that emerged from the ESPN BET rebranding in December 2025. The sportsbook is fully integrated with theScore Media app, which unlocks in-depth data and insights when researching futures market picks.
When you place NBA futures at theScore BET, you’re also eligible to earn rewards points through the Penn Play loyalty scheme. Although the book offers a smaller range of futures overall, it publishes relatively competitive odds, especially when backing underdogs or potential longshots.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Access in-depth insights and data via integration with theScore Media app |
Rival books offer a broader range of NBA futures markets |
Access in-depth insights and data via integration with theScore Media app
Rival books offer a broader range of NBA futures markets
Payment Methods Comparison
You can deposit and withdraw using a number of trusted payment methods at our recommended NBA futures betting sites. The most commonly accepted methods include debit card, PayPal and online banking (via Trustly), each of which allow for fee-free and instant deposits.
Payout speed varies from one book to another, depending on internal processing times. Withdrawal times are also different depending on your chosen banking method, as you can see below:
- Visa / Mastercard: 24-72 hours
- Ewallets (PayPal and Venmo): 24-48 hours
- Bank Transfer: 3-5 business days
- Cheque: 7-14 business days
Although the sportsbooks on this page won’t charge transaction fees when processing withdrawals, ewallets usually claim a flat percentage for themselves. For example, PayPal applies a nominal fee of 2.99% to the amount received into your account. It’s important to factor this in when considering viable withdrawal methods.
Remember, you won’t be able to formally request a withdrawal until your age and identity have been fully verified. This will require you to upload documentation to your account, such as a driver’s license or the last 4 digits of your SSN. You can verify your account at any time after completing the registration process.
| Method | FanDuel | DraftKings |
|---|---|---|
| Debit Card | ✅ | ✅ |
| PayPal | ✅ | ✅ |
| Venmo | ✅ | ✅ |
| Online Banking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cash at Casino | ✅ | ✅ |
| eCheck | ✅ | ✅ |
| Min Deposit | $5 | $5 |
| Min Withdrawal | $1 | $1 |
How We Test and Rank NBA Futures Sites
We’ve tested each of our recommended sportsbooks extensively, making real money deposits across all 7 platforms. We’ve also targeted key criteria focused on NBA futures, including market depth, odds competitiveness, mobile app performance and withdrawal speeds.
Our precise testing processes include line shopping across all NBA futures, including Championship, MVP and play-in odds. We’ve also analyzed the full depth of all available futures markets, while timing real money withdrawals across different banking methods.
These tests have been carried out methodically and consistently across each book, ensuring that our findings are transparent and as accurate as possible. This way, you can rely on our recommendations and use them to inform your final choice of sportsbook.
Expert-Verified Rankings
All of our recommended NBA futures sites have been tested by our professional sports betting analyst Lewis Humphries. He has 10+ years experience in the sports betting industry and specializes in the US marketplace. His final rankings are also based on 50+ hours of testing across desktop, iOS and Android devices.
Calculator Tools for NBA Futures Betting
- Parlay Calculator: Our parlay calculator lets you determine potential payouts for multi-leg futures bets, while also experimenting with different stake amounts.
- Odds Converter: With our odds converter tool, you can quickly switch between American, decimal and fractional formats. This lets you appraise value and calculate implied probability values in a way that you’re comfortable with.
- Implied Probability Calculator: This implied probability calculator enables you to determine the likelihood of an outcome occurring based on the published odds. This can also help with the identification of value bets.
NBA Futures Betting FAQs
What are the best NBA futures bets right now?
Determining the best NBA futures bets right now depends on your appetite for risk. For example, backing the Thunder to win the NBA Championship at +140 with BetMGM unlocks a competitive return and implied win probability of 41.7%. A higher risk pick is to back the Spurs at +650 with either DraftKings or FanDuel. This bet has a 13.3% chance of paying out but could deliver a profit that’s significantly higher.
How do you bet on NBA futures?
In terms of how to bet on NBA futures, you’ll first need to choose your preferred market before line shopping across 3 or more of our recommended sportsbooks. You can then identify the best value odds and any available boosts, before placing your wagers. Remember, sites like FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings all let you build parlays featuring multiple NBA futures outcomes too.
Which sportsbook has the best NBA futures odds?
Overall, FanDuel offers the best value NBA futures odds, especially in the Championship winner market. Both FanDuel and DraftKings offer optimal value when betting on underdogs or longshots, while BetMGM is home to competitively priced favorites. Selected Lion’s Boosts of between 15% and 50% are also available on selected futures at BetMGM. Regardless, it’s important that you line shop across these books before placing your bets.
What NBA futures markets are available?
In addition to NBA Championship futures, you can also wager on the identity of the regular season MVP. Other leading futures markets include individual conference and divisional winners, alongside regular season win totals and even various NBA draft lines. In terms of alternative awards futures, you can bet on the Rookie or Defensive Player of the Year, while DraftKings offer Clutch and Most Improved Player markets. This brand (and bet365) offer extensive Play In markets too.
When is the best time to bet on NBA futures?
Broadly speaking, the best time to bet on NBA futures is during the preseason and shortly after the odds are released. This certainly unlocks the best value when backing favorites, whose odds are likely to shorten based on betting volumes and performances once the season gets underway. For more risk-averse bettors, wagers placed after the trade deadline are likely to be more informed, even if this requires you to bet at slightly shorter odds.
Can you cash out NBA futures bets early?
This depends on your choice of sportsbook. However, it’s generally the case that the majority of pre-game, live, parlay and future bets are available for full or partial cashouts at the leading sportsbooks. FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings all offer extensive futures cash out options, while approximately 90% of all NBA lines also qualify at Bet365. Cashing out futures bets can help you to minimize loss and claim at least a partial profit if a market starts to move against you.
Are NBA season win totals a good bet?
Win totals betting is ideal for risk-averse or experienced bettors, as this market unlocks a tight spread of odds that typically carry high implied probability values. This is because all win total lines are set using relevant historic data, including the previous season’s performance and impact of preseason trades. Win totals odds and lines are constantly updated during the season too, creating better value markets in some instances.
How do NBA MVP futures odds work?
MVP futures relate to the identity of the player who will be voted as the Most Valuable during the regular season. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander started the 2024/25 as the +250 favorite, while his odds have since shortened to a prohibitive -1500 at FanDuel. In this case, early betting has the potential to unlock returns that are 27.5x greater overall. The best NBA futures sites also let you bet on the Finals’ MVP, alongside the most valuable players in the Eastern and Western conferences.
Is NBA futures betting legal in my state?
NBA futures betting is now legal in 39 US states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. In the vast majority of these states, you can engage in online and retail betting, while most jurisdictions have a legal gambling age of 21+. However, Arizona, Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and Wyoming allow you to place NBA futures bets aged 18 and upwards. Just be sure to check your state’s current legal status in full before engaging in NBA championship betting.
What is the difference between NBA futures and regular bets?
With NBA futures bets, you’re wagering on long-term outcomes that aren’t usually settled until the end of the regular season or finals. Conversely, regular wager types like spreads, totals and player props pertain to individual matches that are played throughout the campaign. In addition to requiring a long-term financial commitment, NBA futures tend to offer longer odds and lower implied probability values.
⚠️ Responsible Gambling
Because futures markets commit your capital for the duration of the season, careful and disciplined bankroll management is key. So, in addition to only ever wagering an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose, you should account for a percentage of your bankroll being tied up for an extended period of time (no more than 10% on average).
Our recommended NBA futures sites can help in this regard, as they allow you to set customizable deposit limits to help manage your bankroll. If you begin to wager compulsively or outside your means, you can also choose to self-exclude from individual sportsbooks for between six months and five years.
The National Council on Problem Gambling has also published a number of helpful resources, including guidelines for payment processing. In addition to visiting the website, you can also call the helpline or text for direct support.
- National Hotline: 1-800-522-4700 (24/7 free support)
- Website: ncpgambling.org
- Text Support: Text “HELP” to 233(0)
- Age Requirement: You must be at least 21 years old to bet in most states (18+ in MT, NH, RI, WY, DC, KY).
