In the modern NBA, there’s much more to defense than forcing turnovers.
Still, there’s an art to anticipating the play and getting a steal that is beautiful to watch, especially when it leads to a transition opportunity at the other end of the floor.
Below, I’ll assess the latest NBA steals leader odds and make my picks for the 2025-26 campaign.
NBA Steals Leader Odds
These NBA lines are current as of Monday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. ET and courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
- Dyson Daniels (-125)
- Ausar Thompson (+650)
- Amen Thompson (+1200)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2000)
- OG Anunoby (+2400)
- Herbert Jones (+2400)
- Toumani Camara (+2400)
- Luka Doncic (+2800)
- Cason Wallace (+2800)
- Nikola Jokic (+3000)
All other players have (+3500) odds or longer.
Who Will Be the NBA Steals Leader in 2025-26?
Dyson Daniels (-125)
Daniels is the deserved favorite to the lead the NBA in steals this season.
Not only did the Atlanta Hawks guard do so last campaign, he became the first player to average at least three steals per contest since Alvin Robertson in the 1990-91 campaign.
His 229 total thefts set a new Hawks franchise record and were 98 more than the next closest player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (131).
Given the gap between the 22-year-old and his competition, these odds should probably be shorter than they are.
Back Daniels to repeat as the NBA’s steals leader as your NBA bet of the day.
NBA Steals Leader Favorites
Ausar Thompson (+650)
The Detroit Pistons forward is one of the league’s most promising young defenders, and it’s easy to see why.
Thompson stands 6-foot-7, 205 pounds, boasts a 7-foot wingspan, and his tremendous athleticism gives him the platform to defend multiple positions.
The 22-year-old led the Pistons with 1.7 steals per game last season, up from 1.1 in his rookie campaign.
He has good defensive instincts and should only get better with more experience, making this an intriguing bet.
Amen Thompson (+1200)
It seems silly to prefer one Thompson twin over the other given their physical makeups are very similar, but there’s a reason these odds aren’t identical.
Amen offers more of an all-around defensive game than Ausar, as he averaged 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest last season.
That’s why he’s among the favorites in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds, and his brother is more of a longshot candidate.
NBA Steals Leader Contenders
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+2000)
What can’t the reigning NBA MVP do?
In addition to averaging better than 30 points per game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also ranked among the top five in steals each of the past three seasons.
He finished runner-up to De’Aaron Fox in the 2023-24 campaign, narrowly missing out on the league lead after averaging two thieveries per contest.
SGA should continue to be a force on both ends and could certainly overcome these longer odds.
OG Anunoby (+2400)
Anunoby has been one of the NBA’s best 3-and-D wingmen over the past half-decade, and he finally stayed healthy in his first full season with the New York Knicks.
- See where the Knicks rank in our NBA Finals odds.
Last year, the 28-year-old tallied triple-digit steals (110) for the first time since leading the league with 128 thieveries in the 2022-23 campaign as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
While Anunoby could build off last season’s numbers, he’ll need some significant regression from Daniels to contend for the league lead.
NBA Steals Leader Sleeper
Nikola Jokic (+3000)
When I think about all the amazing talents that Nikola Jokic possesses, stealing the basketball doesn’t typically come to mind.
I guess that means I’m somehow underestimating the Denver Nuggets star, who, once again, is a leading candidate in the NBA MVP odds.
Last season, Jokic topped 100 thieveries for the fourth time in his illustrious career, setting a new career-high with 127 steals. That mark was good for fourth in the league, and his per game average (1.8) ranked second behind Daniels.
It makes sense that centers may be easier to pickpocket, and Jokic is athletic enough to step in front of entry-passes in the paint.
While he may not overcome these longshot odds, this could be a fun futures bet to root for all season long.
Previous NBA Steals Leaders
Here are the last five NBA steals leaders:
2025: Dyson Daniels
2024: De’Aaron Fox
2023: OG Anunoby
2022: Dejounte Murray
2021: Jimmy Butler
