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The 2026-27 NBA season is underway, and the race for the Larry O’Brien Trophy and the MVP award has begun.
As championship contenders look to establish themselves and superstars compete for the league’s most prestigious individual honor, now is the time to evaluate the futures market, from proven title contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs to MVP favorites and potential long shots.
From identifying potential MVP winners to finding teams built for a deep playoff run, there are plenty of opportunities to get ahead of the markets before the odds shift. Here are our favorite NBA championship and MVP futures.
Prediction markets are a growing medium for sports fans to get even more invested in the action. Instead of betting against a bookmaker who’s already tilted the odds in favor of the house, prediction markets involve users creating their own markets via a two-digit probability that represents the likelihood of an event happening.
Now is the perfect time for sports fans to use prediction markets. New users can get started with the TSN promo code for a $75 prediction bonus on ProphetX. The Sporting News shares which prediction markets are best to use for the NBA, including the best offers, picks and information about each platform.
MORE: A complete guide for using ProphetX
Best NBA prediction market apps
| Platform | Fee structure | When you’re charged | Losing trade |
| ProphetX | Commission on net profits | Market settlement (only for winning payouts) | Stake only (no fee) |
| Kalshi | Price-weighted formula | Order execution (upfront when order is matched) | Stake + upfront fee |
| Polymarket | Maker-taker tiering | Order execution (upfront on entry/exit) | Stake + upfront fee |
| OG.com | Spread-based | Order execution (included in buy/sell price) | Stake + upfront drag |
How to trade NBA futures on prediction markets
Trading on NBA Futures is a simple process for users to take part in. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to trade in on the action:
- (if applicable) Create a prediction market account: Users must choose which prediction market to create an account with.
- (if applicable) Verify your account and deposit: Once users set up their account with verification details and deposit funds, they can move on to making a prediction.
- Find the NBA Futures section: This location varies across the market, but this can usually be found on the top or side navigation bar.
- Locate a desirable game and market: Now that you’ve made it to the NBA Futures tab, you’ll be presented with games that can be predicted on. Click on a matchup and find a market. Good luck!
When should you trade NBA futures?
- Before the regular season: Futures odds are often at their longest, making this a good time to target teams or players you believe are undervalued before the season begins.
- After the first month: By this point there’s a larger sample of games to evaluate teams and MVP contenders.
- Around the midseason point: This can be a strong window to reassess MVP and NBA championship contenders using their records, performance and remaining schedule.
- After major injuries: A key injury can dramatically change a team’s championship outlook. Look for opportunities when the market overreacts, but account for the actual impact on the team’s chances.
- After the trade deadline: Once rosters are more settled, it’s easier to assess which teams have the depth and talent to make a playoff run.
- As the playoff picture takes shape: In March and April, teams with strong records and favorable paths to the postseason may become more attractive, although their odds are often shorter.
- Before the playoffs begin: This is the last opportunity to evaluate the full field before the postseason starts. Consider playoff seeding, likely matchups, and home-court advantage.
MORE: Which prediction markets are best for sports?
NBA futures markets on ProphetX
ProphetX has a selection of available markets for NBA Futures. As a reminder for those used to sports betting, ProphetX displays market percentages instead of betting odds. The percentages reflect the collective implied probability of an event. Meanwhile, betting odds are set by the house to bake in a profit margin.
Here’s an outline of some markets users can predict on:
- 2026-27 NBA Finals Winner · NBA Finals Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Eastern Conference Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Western Conference Champion
MORE: Everything to know about the ProphetX promo code
NBA championship value picks on ProphetX
The Spurs have the star power, depth and postseason experience to take the next step after reaching the NBA Finals last season. Victor Wembanyama is emerging as one of the league’s most dominant two-way players, while young talents Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper give San Antonio room to improve. With De’Aaron Fox providing veteran leadership and much of the team’s core returning, the Spurs have the continuity needed for another deep playoff run. San Antonio also enters the season among the championship favorites, making it a compelling futures pick to win its first title since 2014.
The Knicks enter the 2026-27 season as defending champions, with much of their title-winning roster intact. Jalen Brunson has established himself as a proven postseason star, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart give New York a balanced lineup with scoring, defense and rebounding. The Knicks return nearly all of their core rotation, providing valuable chemistry as they pursue back-to-back titles. With New York listed among the Eastern Conference favorites, the Knicks have a realistic path to another championship if their veteran core maintains its playoff form
MORE: Promo code TSN gets you $75 in investment funds when you trade $50 on ProphetX
NBA futures markets on Kalshi
- 2026-27 NBA Finals Winner · NBA Finals Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Eastern Conference Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Western Conference Champion
- NBA MVP 2026/27
- NBA Rookie of the Year
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year
MORE: Complete guide to using Kalshi
NBA futures markets on OG.com
OG.com also has a solid list of markets for users to make predictions on. Here’s what platform users can decide on for NFL futures:
- 2026-27 NBA Finals Winner · NBA Finals Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Eastern Conference Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Western Conference Champion
- NBA MVP 2026/27
- NBA Rookie of the Year
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Team win totals
- Statistical leaders… and more
MORE: New users on OG.com can trade $10 to get $10 using code TSN25
NBA champion value picks on OG.com
If Philadelphia can stay healthy, build chemistry, and get consistent production from its supporting cast, it has the talent to make a deep playoff run and contend for the title. The case for Philadelphia is even stronger after its offseason additions. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown join Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, giving the 76ers four major offensive options and the depth to keep pressure on opponents throughout a playoff series.
OKC has an elite young core, an MVP-caliber leader in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and one of the league’s best defenses. Chet Holmgren provides rim protection and floor spacing, while Jalen Williams adds another versatile scorer who can take pressure off Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder went 64-18 last season and remain among the championship favorites despite losing in the Western Conference Finals. With a strong coaching staff, depth, and a roster built to contend for years, Oklahoma City has the talent to bounce back and capture its second title in three seasons.
MORE: Where prediction markets are legal in 2026
NBA MVP value picks on OG.com
Victor Wembanyama has the potential to dominate on both ends of the court and lead the San Antonio Spurs to one of the best records in the Western Conference. At 7-foot-5, Wembanyama combines elite rim protection and shot-blocking with an increasingly dangerous offensive game, giving him a chance to post eye-catching scoring, rebounding, and defensive numbers. After helping San Antonio reach the NBA Finals last season, he is entering his prime and has the opportunity to take another major leap. Wembanyama also enters the 2026-27 season as the MVP favorite, making him a compelling pick to win his first award if he stays healthy and the Spurs remain among the league’s top teams.
MORE: How ProphetX’s transaction fees compare to Kalshi, Polymarket
Cade Cunningham is the driving force behind a Detroit Pistons team capable of competing for the league’s best record. He is coming off an All-NBA First Team season, averaging 23.9 points and 9.9 assists per game, finishing fifth in MVP voting. With improved shooting and spacing around him, he has a chance to increase his scoring while continuing to create opportunities for his teammates. If Cunningham can lead Detroit to another 55-plus-win season and post numbers closer to 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists per game, he has a compelling case to capture his first MVP award. If the award were given to the most valuable player to his team, the answer would be Cunningham.
NBA futures markets on Polymarket
It’s time to look at what markets Polymarket is offering for NBA futures:
- 2026-27 NBA Finals Winner · NBA Finals Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Eastern Conference Champion
- 2026-27 NBA Western Conference Champion
- NBA MVP 2026/27
- NBA Rookie of the Year
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Team win totals
- Statistical leaders
