With the 2023-24 NBA regular season set to tip off on Oct. 24, it’s the perfect time to look at some player stats futures on DraftKings Sportsbook. Most basketball bettors only bet on player awards such as MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Defensive Player of the Year.
However, there’s value when betting on how many points a player will score or how many rebounds per game they will grab. If you want to bet on LeBron James’ points per game or Nikola Jokic’s assists per game average, bettors can do that and add it to their futures market portfolio.
Below, I’ll look at some of my favorite player stats futures and why bettors should consider placing a unit on them before Opening Night.
1. Anthony Edwards (MIN SG) OVER 26.0 points per game (-115)
Edwards looks ready to take that next step this season after his performance in the FIBA World Cup. The former No. 1 overall pick scored 18.6 points per game, which included a 35-point performance against Lithuania.
Over his first three seasons in the Association, Edwards’ scoring average has gone up, along with his shot attempts. As a rookie, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard scored 19.3 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the field (16.8 field goal attempts) and 32.9 percent from beyond the arc (7.2 attempts per game).
Fast forward a couple of years later, the 22-year-old guard is coming off an impressive 2022-23 season, where he averaged 24.6 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field (19.5 field goal attempts per game) and 36.9 percent from deep (7.3 attempts per game).
Minnesota will be looking for him to be the focal point despite having Karl Anthony-Towns in the frontcourt. If Edwards continues to shoot at a 45 percent clip from the field this season, he should see another increase in his scoring.
2. Nic Claxton (BKN C) OVER 9.5 rebounds per game (-115)
Claxton played well last season as a full-time starter for the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-11 center racked up a career-high 9.2 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game. The former Georgia standout also posted a career-best 17.4 total rebound percentage.
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Claxton’s previous career high was in the 2020-21 season, with a 15.4 total rebound percentage. However, he only recorded 5.2 rebounds per game (32 games played). I like the 24-year-old center to have another career year on the boards, as the Nets’ depth at center leaves much to be desired. The second and third-string centers are Day’Ron Sharpe and rookie forward Noah Clowney. Shape only played 48 games with the big-league club last season, averaging 4.2 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game.
Sharpe should have a bigger role this season behind Claxton. However, Claxton is by far the best rebounder on the Nets. And if the young center stays out of foul trouble, he could average a double-double.
3. Zach LaVine (CHI SG) OVER 2.7 threes made per game (-115)
This number seems low for LaVine, who averaged 2.9 three-point field goals made per game over the last three seasons. He’s a volume scorer and shooter, which works for the Bulls, who also have DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
Last season, the 28-year-old guard shot a healthy 37.5 percent from three-point range on 2.6 three-point field goals made per game. LaVine also took 7.1 attempts per game from distance for the second-straight season.
Overall, the two-time All-Star has gone OVER 2.7 threes made per game in three out of his last four seasons. With Chicago not making many moves in the offseason, it will be up to LaVine to help the Bulls improve their three-point shooting from last season (36.1 percent, 16th in the NBA).
Other bets to consider: Darius Garland OVER 7.9 assists per game (-115), Josh Giddey OVER 6.5 assists per (-115), and LeBron James UNDER 2.3 threes made per game (-110).
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