Lakers and Cavs will exceed expectations, and other futures to like

The 2018-19 NBA season is upon us, which means the time has come to look into our crystal balls and find the 10 best future bets the league has to offer.

While you can certainly swing for the fences and take LeBron's Lakers to win it all or go rogue and take James Dolan's Knicks to capture the Atlantic Division, this column offers a series of more reasonable selections.

Make no mistake, though, there are plenty of entertaining -- and profitable -- futures worth your while, including a few fliers that might surprise you.

(Odds provided by the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook).

Does anyone outside of the DMV actually trust the Wizards? Actually, does anyone inside the DMV trust the Wizards? Exactly. With questions surrounding John Wall's conditioning -- or lack thereof -- and a logjam on the wing, Scott Brooks' dysfunctional team feels similar to Tom Thibodeau's Wolves out West. Bradley Beal and  Otto Porter Jr. are consistent performers, and Beal was especially impressive sans Wall last season, seeing an uptick in scoring, including a 51-point output. This, however, remains a team with middling offensive (14th) and defensive (15th) ratings.

Don't underestimate the importance of the departure of Marcin Gortat -- Washington's best rebounder -- who was dealt to the Clippers for Austin Rivers. Or the fact that perennial locker room cancer Dwight Howard will now be manning the middle. Consider that Howard totaled more post-ups last year (499) than the whole Wizards team combined (462). Why is this a problem, you ask? Because Wall and Beal are creative offensive players, particularly Wall, whose high usage rate is often a conduit to untimely turnovers and errant shot selection. The Wizards are his show.

D12, meanwhile, still thinks it's 2009 in Orlando. If it feels grim for the Wizards entering October, check back in February or March, when things are unraveling.