The 2023-24 NBA season is finally upon us. After making the over/under and major awards predictions, it’s time to make a shortlist of five 2023-24 NBA best bets for the season. All the lines are taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Future Bets for the 2023-24 NBA Season
Cleveland Cavaliers Over 50.5 Wins: -110
The Cavs had the top-ranked defense and seventh-best offense in the league last season. They have a formula that works in the regular season: the two dynamic guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland take care of the offense, and their twin towers Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchor the defense. They added more shooting around this core four in the offseason.
There is no reason to think the regular-season juggernaut from last season can’t have a similar year. They won 51 games last season, and they had the point differential of a 55-win team. Every single important player on their team should be better this season considering their ages. They also have the benefit of continuity compared to the other teams in the Eastern Conference. It’s very hard to see them win less than 50 games barring major injuries.
Brooklyn Nets Over 37.5 Wins: -110
The Nets were a disappointing team after the trade deadline last season. After trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving mid-season, they couldn’t gel and ended up flaming out in the first round.
However, this team has better personnel than what they showed last season, and the line of 37.5 is too low. The offseason and training camp together should make a huge difference in terms of continuity and better-identified roles.
This team should have a great defense on the backs of Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton, Ben Simmons, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dennis Smith Jr. If they finish in the top-10 of the league in defensive efficiency, that alone should make them a .500 team, easily hitting this over.
Victor Wembanyama to Win Rookie of the Year: +100
Sometimes the most obvious pick is the easiest one. Yes, Chet Holmgren and Scoot Henderson both look great. Yes, this was an excellent draft class. But, Victor Wembanyama has the chance to have one of the best rookie seasons of the last few decades.
He is going to walk into the league as an elite defender. His length, wingspan, and mobility are going to catch a lot of players by surprise as he will be one of the league leaders in blocks per game. His offensive game looked more polished during the preseason and as one of the primary options on the team, he should average plenty of points and assists as well. Don’t be surprised if he has an All-Star caliber season. Regardless, it’s very difficult to see anyone else giving Wemby a run for his money for the Rookie of the Year award.
Los Angeles Clippers to Not Make the Playoffs: +190
Perhaps a bit bolder of a prediction, but the Los Angeles Clippers have the chance to be the odd team out in the stacked Western Conference. With eleven solid teams vying for eight playoff spots in the West, the Clippers’ margin of error is small. Moreover, this team is not as deep as it once was, making it harder for them to weather any storms created by the extended absences of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
This is an aging roster. Key rotation players like Russell Westbrook, Robert Covington, Marcus Morris Sr., and Nicolas Batum are on the decline. The pieces don’t fit too well either, with two non-shooters in Westbrook and Ivica Zubac and a below-average shooter in Terance Mann starting next to Leonard and George. The spacing will be a major concern all season.
Leonard and George will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Their and coach Ty Lue’s futures are uncertain. There is a real possibility of implosion here.
Unless they trade for James Harden or another disgruntled star mid-season, it’s hard to see how this team goes over 45 wins. And that might be what is necessary to make the playoffs in the West.
Atlanta Hawks to Win the Southeast Division: +200
There is a very reasonable argument to be made for the Atlanta Hawks as the best team in the Southeast Division. They started playing well last season after they hired Quin Snyder, and they should have better chemistry and a more seamless fit now that John Collins is gone. Trae Young plus three shooters and a rim runner should be an outstanding offense once again.
The Orlando Magic will be fun and exciting but it’s a year too early for them to really push over .500. This makes Atlanta’s only real rival to win the division, the Miami Heat. Miami is the obvious favorite to win this division but they have plenty of issues they need to solve. They were a 44-win team last season and lost a few key rotation pieces in Gabe Vincent and Max Strus. They have a lot of aging players, including their superstar Jimmy Butler. As dangerous as they can still be in the playoffs, it’s hard to see the Heat as a regular-season juggernaut.
If the Atlanta Hawks can win around 45 games, this should be in play. A training camp with Coach Snyder, more time to gel for Young and Dejounte Murray, and internal development from Jalen Johnson, AJ Griffin, De’Andre Hunter, and Saddiq Bey should make this Atlanta Hawks team better than last season, which means 45 wins is a real possibility.
