Basketball enthusiasts are already placing bets on the NBA for the upcoming season. The Thunder are favorites to clinch the championship again, with Cooper Flag leading the Rookie of the Year odds and being a strong contender for the Most Improved Player award. Additionally, the focus is now shifting to the Sixth Man of the Year category. Payton Pritchard, who won this accolade in 2024 and is the fourth Celtic to do so, is a frontrunner to repeat his success in 2025. As of July 15th, DraftKings Sportsbook has listed the early betting odds:
NBA Sixth Man of the Year 2025 odds:
– Payton Pritchard, Celtics: +550 (a $10 bet returns $65)
– De’andre Hunter, Cavaliers: +800 (a $10 bet returns $90)
– Naz Reid, Timberwolves: +1100 (a $10 bet returns $120)
– Jordan Clarkson, Knicks: +1400 (a $10 bet returns $150)
– Gradey Dick, Raptors: +1800 (a $10 bet returns $190)
– Ty Jerome, Grizzlies: +1800 (a $10 bet returns $190)
– Jared McCain, 76ers: +2200 (a $10 bet returns $230)
– Jabari Smith Jr., Rockets: +2200 (a $10 bet returns $230)
– Keldon Johnson, Spurs: +2500 (a $10 bet returns $260)
– Caris LeVert, Pistons: +2500 (a $10 bet returns $260)
– Obitoppin, Pacers: +2800 (a $10 bet returns $290)
– Donte DiVincenzo, Timberwolves: +3000 (a $10 bet returns $310)
– Bobby Portis, Bucks: +3000 (a $10 bet returns $310)
Further down the list are:
– Alex Caruso, Thunder: +8000 (a $10 bet returns $810)
– Brook Lopez, Clippers: +10,000 (a $10 bet returns $1,010)
– Luke Kennard, Hawks: +15,000 (a $10 bet returns $1,510)
– Lonzo Ball, Cavaliers: +15,000 (a $10 bet returns $1,510)
Boston’s Payton Pritchard tops the odds at +550, having played 80 games last season and averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Before officially winning the award in April, he was widely seen as the leading candidate for Sixth Man during the season. De’andre Hunter follows at +800; drafted fourth by the Lakers in 2019, he spent most of his career with Atlanta before joining the Cavaliers in February 2025. A sleeper pick is Oklahoma’s Alex Caruso at +8000; the 6-foot-5 shooting guard contributed significantly to the Thunder’s championship run, averaging 7.1 points off the bench with a 44.6% shooting accuracy.
Fan Take: This early betting insight highlights the emerging talent and role players who can impact games, offering fans an exciting narrative beyond just the stars. It also showcases how critical the Sixth Man role has become in shaping a team’s success and could lead to more recognition for these key contributors in the NBA.