In this episode of Hardwood Handicappers, Zachary Cohen reacts to the 2026 NBA Opening Night schedule release, and also the NBA Christmas Day slate! After that, Cohen dives into the futures market and reacts to the odds for the NBA Most Improved Player award, and breaks down some contenders and prospects he likes providing insights for sports fans and bettors alike!

Key moments:
NBA Opening Night Schedule release
NBA Christmas Day Schedule release
Common traits of NBA MIP winners
Handicapping the betting favorites to win NBA MIP
Zachary’s favorite NBA MIP winners/candidates heading into this season

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Who is the best coach in the NBA—and which coaches give bettors the biggest edge? Zachary Cohen ranks his Top 10 NBA head coaches entering the 2026 season, breaking down the leaders who consistently create value through elite adjustments, player development, defensive schemes, offensive innovation, and postseason success.

Do you agree with Zach's rankings? Who is too high, too low, or completely missing from the list? Drop your own Top 10 in the comments and let's debate it.

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• Zach's complete Top 10 NBA coach rankings
• Why coaching matters more than ever when betting the NBA
• The case for Erik Spoelstra as the league's best coach
• Which coaches consistently outperform expectations
• The NBA's top player developers and tactical minds
• Honorable mentions and the biggest coaching debates

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The season may not have started, but sharp bettors are already preparing. Get advanced analytics, player prop projections, and expert insights with VSiN Pro. Try it for just $9.99 for your first month at VSiN.com/Subscribe.

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The news is finally out; LeBron James announced his decision on where he is playing next season, and it’s a jaw-dropper! This fall, LeBron is going to play for the Philadelphia 76ers and team up with Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid!

Zachary Cohen reacts to the news and breaks down how this signing impacts the betting market, and the entire NBA!

In this episode:
76ers odds movement to win the NBA Title, Eastern Conference, Division, Win Total, etc
LeBron’s opportunity to play with Maxey, Brown, Embiid, and Edgecombe
Managing Embiid and LeBron’s health
Does this make the 76ers an NBA title contender?
Should other teams in the Eastern Conference be scared of the 76ers?
Eastern Conference rankings after the signing

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#LeBronJames
#76ers
#NBAnews

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NBA win totals for the 2026-27 season have been released, and Zachary Cohen highlights the best opportunities before the odds begin to move.

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From the Celtics, Jazz & Pacers to the Thunder, Spurs and more, Zachary breaks down which teams are priced too low, which contenders are overvalued, and where the best value exists heading into the new NBA season.

The episode also features a look at the biggest Summer League standouts, including Caleb Wilson, Malik Thomas, Brayden Burries, Khaman Maluach and Will Riley, with early reactions to the rookies and sophomores making the strongest impressions in Las Vegas.

In This Episode

Best NBA win total over bets for the 2026-27 season

Teams Zachary believes are undervalued by the sportsbooks

Championship contenders that could fall short of expectations

Early NBA futures betting strategy Summer League's biggest rookie standouts

Sophomores making major jumps heading into next season

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NBA Summer League betting is here, and Zachary Cohen breaks down the best bets, top prospects and must-watch games before the action begins. Plus, LeBron's landing spot - Zachary lays out why one team is the perfect fit. From NBA Summer League futures to rookie matchups and the latest offseason news, this episode has everything basketball bettors and NBA fans want.

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In This Episode:

• NBA Summer League format and what bettors should know
• Zach Cohen's NBA Summer League futures bets and best value picks
• The teams with the best odds and biggest betting opportunities
• Top NBA Summer League prospects and rookie matchups to watch
• The best games on the Summer League schedule
• LeBron James' next team possibilities
• NBA free agency updates and offseason moves

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In this episode of Hardwood Handicappers, Zachary Cohen reacts to the big blockbuster trade that the Boston Celtics send Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and a few draft picks!

Cohen also reacts to the Lakers acquiring Walker Kessler from the Jazz.

Are the Celtics being slept on now to win the NBA Championship next year at 14/1? Cohen answers that and more!

In this episode:
Are the 76ers now a contender for the Eastern Conference or NBA championship?
Are the Celtics a better team without Jaylen Brown?
How will Paul George help Boston?
What does this trade do for Payton Pritchard?
Where do the Lakers rank in the West after acquiring Walker Kessler?
Is taking the Celtics 14/1 to win the NBA Championship a good value bet?

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#JaylenBrown
#PaulGeorge
#76ers
#Celtics
#NBAnews

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NBA Free Agency and trades have transformed the NBA landscape. Are the Toronto Raptors the biggest threat to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference? Where will LeBron James play next? And which bets should you make before the odds adjust?

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On this episode of Hardwood Handicappers, Zachary Cohen and Jonathan Von Tobel analyze the biggest NBA Free Agency signings, blockbuster trades, championship contenders, and betting implications heading into the 2026-27 NBA season.

The conversation begins with Kawhi Leonard's blockbuster move to Toronto and why the Raptors may have vaulted into the top tier of the Eastern Conference. The guys also discuss LeBron James leaving the Lakers and what LBJ, Steph Curry and Draymond Green could do to reshape the NBA championship race.

Plus, the guys analyze the Ja Morant trade, Portland's new outlook, the Timberwolves with LaMelo Ball, underrated free agency signings, teams that could outperform expectations, and the NBA futures bets worth making before sportsbooks adjust.

In this episode:

• Kawhi Leonard's impact on the Raptors and Eastern Conference
• LeBron James' next team and best landing spots
• Warriors, Lakers and Western Conference outlook
• Ja Morant trade analysis and Portland's ceiling
• Timberwolves with LaMelo Ball
• Sneaky free agency signings that could pay off
• Best NBA betting opportunities after free agency and trades

Chapters:

00:00 Introductions
01:21 Reaction: Kawhi Leonard traded to the Raptors
03:13 New Eastern Conference betting values
06:58 Underwhelming return for the Clippers
08:27 What are the Pistons doing?
11:54 LeBron James landing spots
14:30 What the Warriors need to add with LeBron
16:31 Steph + LeBron + AD = ?
19:49 Who can beat the Spurs or Thunder in the West?
21:07 Ja Morant trade analysis: Grizzlies got better
23:01 How Ja fits in Portland
28:57 Timberwolves with LaMelo Ball
32:58 LeBron to Minnesota?
34:18 Suns are better but harder to root for
37:20 Sneaky awesome signing: Dean Wade to 76ers
40:21 The Heat are this season's Pistons
46:06 Deals we like
46:52 Trades we want the Lakers to make

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