BetMGM has provided Odds Shark a look at the futures betting handles for the 2024-25 NBA season. At a quick glance, the money and tickets are pouring in on the Boston Celtics to repeat as NBA champions, while, shockingly, Bronny James has the highest ticket percentage for Rookie of the Year award — unlikely.

Sportsbooks also expect good activity on a new category this basketball season: which player will disappoint the most fans by sitting out the most games to avoid becoming fatigued, and at the same time causing Moses Malone to spin in his grave?

(If you don’t know, Moses was a three-time NBA MVP based mostly on two related characteristics, effort and sweat.)

Again, it looks like a two-way race between Joel “Play back to back?” Embiid and Kawhi “Inflammation” Leonard, both listed early at -1000.

All joking aside, here's how the NBA futures are being bet on in October.

NBA Championship: Bettors Backing Celtics To Repeat

“Right now, the Celtics and Thunder have taken the most handle, but that is expected by the two teams with the shortest odds. The Knicks are not a great result either, and a hot start may have New York and New Jersey bettors backing them heavily to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy,” says Halvor Egeland, Trading Strategy Manager for BetMGM.

Why put your money on the Cs? In order, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Joe Mazulla, Brad Stevens.

This is an incredible roster, so barring a bout of Porzingasitis that would shine a light on the fact the league does have a salary cap, it seems likely they’ll be great.

Why not bet on them? Apart from the shortest odds in the association, think about the fact that the Georgia Bulldogs opened the season as the clear favorites to win a college football championship, and it’s not even November and they’ve lost twice. In other words, it’s sports. Be careful.

The Celtics account for the biggest portion of the BetMGM handle at 17.3%, and have the highest number of tickets at 27%. In terms of the Eastern Conference championship, the Celtics are +170 to take it, and account for 44% of the handle.

Boston opened around +300 at BetMGM to win another league title, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and New York Knicks.

Line movement shows optimism for non-Celtics bettors, with the Thunder moving from +950 to +500 and the Knicks lowering from +1600 to +650.

OKC has depth, youth and an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, plus a highly regarded coach in Mark Daigneault and one of the league’s sharpest GMs in Sam Presti.

Media in New York, where subtlety abounds, declare the Knicks to be the strongest they’ve been since the 90s (when they did not win a championship, but were good).

Looking for its first title in 52 years, New York acquired Mikal Bridges from the Nets and Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota in the offseason to play alongside Jalen Brunson, who made last year’s playoffs his coming out party.

The Thunder, naturally, are the best bet to win the Western Conference, at +300 and are on 15% of BetMGM tickets. The highest handle, though, goes to the Memphis Grizzlies at 24.7%.

NBA Championship Betting Handles — Highest Ticket %

NBA Championship Betting Handles — Highest Handle %

NBA Championship Betting Handles — Biggest Liabilities

NBA Awards: Can Bronny Shock The Association?

"Bronny James winning rookie of the year is the worst NBA awards result right now. Ideally, Zach Edey doesn’t win the award either. Jokic winning another MVP would be great for BetMGM, especially with bettors being all over Anthony Edwards to win his first MVP,” Halvor Egeland says.

Look, if you found a hundred bucks in a pants pocket, why not put it on Bronny for rookie of the year, especially if you can get the 1,000 to 1 that some books have reportedly offered? In fact, 20% of bets for ROY have reportedly been placed on Bronny.

But a 55th overall pick who had a heart attack in college? Make sure that hundred bucks means nothing to you.

James is on 18% of BetMGM tickets, while Zach Edey has the highest handle at 30% and is the odds leader at +300.

NBA Rookie of the Year Betting Handle 

NBA Most Improved Player Betting Handle 

NBA Defensive Player of the Year Betting Handle 

Regular Season MVP: Edwards Garnering A Lot Of Attention

Following up on his stalwart Olympics performance, Anthony Edwards accounts for 14.4% of MVP tickets with BetMGM, and also has the highest handle at 18%. He was seventh in MVP voting last year.

Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been installed as co-favorites for the award, with Doncic +350 at BetMGM and SGA is +400.

NBA MVP Betting Handle