We’re about to hit the second batch of 2025 NBA Cup games and that means it’s a great time to take a look at some futures. We’ve taken a peak at the NBA Cup MVP and Champion odds and have sifted through the noise to find you some of the best plays. Come check out what we’re predicting before we get too close to the conclusion.
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2025 NBA Cup Futures – Champion and MVP
The NBA Cup, in its short history, has been won by a team who is going to finish in the middle of the pack in the playoff picture. It, so far, has been a team that people think is just a bit away from actual contention in the playoffs, and use this as a leaping off point. For my picks, I have three teams that are ready for that leap forward and the MVP if they are the ones to do it.
Houston Rockets (+1400)
The Rockets might actually be too high up in the standings for what my formula is asking for in an NBA Cup winner. Last year they finished 2nd in the West – granted 16.0 games out of the number one spot. What I like about them is that they seem to have a lot of players who are making a big step forward. Amen Thompson was the odds-on favorite for Most Imporved Player this season, and Alperen Sengun is turning heads as an All-Star candidate. All of that is likely due to Kevin Durant taking some pressure off of both of them. Either way, they seem to be on the path where they could surprise people and win this thing.
MVP Pick: Amen Thompson (+8000)
Durant is the obviously sexy pick in this one. Let’s be fair, based on who has won it in the past (LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo), he’s likely to be the Rockets guy again. However, his odds being basically what the Rockets’ odds are to win the thing makes it not tempting at all. Instead, I’m pivoting to a guy in Thompson who is only putting up 5.4 less points per game. He also strikes me as a guy who could get hot in one of these games and put up a gaudy number.
Detroit Pistons (+2000)
Speaking of teams that are on the up-and-up, the Pistons are tracking in the right direction. They finished 6th in the Eastern Conference last year and have been hot this year. They are 6-2 entering action on Friday and have plenty of guys taking a big step forward. Cade Cunningham is a bona fide star now. Plus, Ausar Thompson and Duncan Robinson are giving him plenty of outlets to get the ball too. It seems like no matter how far they’re down in a game, they can shoot themselves back in and that shoul play up in this tournament.
MVP Pick: Cade Cunningham (+2500)
He’s the obvious choice here. While he may get outscored by some of his teammates in these games, it’ll be him filling out the stat sheet in a way that makes him undeniable. Similar to Durant, there is some hesitation with their odds being so close to the team’s odds, but he’s the guy who’ll take it home if they do.
Chicago Bulls (+3000)
The surprise team of the early part of the season, the Bulls looked like they were tanking for picks. Last season we saw them do away with Demar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Alex Caruso. Despite that, they seem to be in better shape than ever. Nikola Vucevic seems to be more free to get his offense going, Josh Giddey is a triple-double machine, and there are a cast of guys around them all surprising every time they hit the floor. They may not make that much noise in the actual playoffs, but this is a good chance for them to give the world a taste.
MVP Pick: Nikola Vucevic (+9000)
Some might favor Giddey here for his ability to fill out the stat sheet, but the big numbers are going to come from the big man. He’s not likely to log many assists, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him put up some 20-20 games late in this tournament. If he does so, and the Bulls do pull this one out, I like him to get the hardware at odds three times less likely than the team is to win.
If you’d like even more picks for 2025 NBA Cup Champion, be sure to check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping plenty of episodes to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
