This was supposed to be a quiet offseason in the NBA when it came to free agency and it has been somewhat silent. However, there have been several impactful trades that have changed the future betting odds for the finals and conference.
One of the key free agents available is 41-year-old LeBron James. Reportedly, he’s down to Golden State (+140) and Cleveland (+175). The longshots are Miami (+450), but with Philadelphia adding Jaylen Brown on Wednesday, their odds have moved to +700.
Speaking of the 76ers, they shocked the world with the addition of Brown from division rival Boston for Paul George, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2031 first-round pick and two future second-rounders. Boston was +650 to win the NBA Finals after the draft, but they have dropped to +1100. Philadelphia moved from +5500 to +2000 after the trade. Where does Boston go from here with a healthy Jayson Tatum and an aging Paul George? (odds from DraftKings and VegasInsider).
2)Miami added Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee for Tyler Herro, Ke’El Ware, Jaime Jaquez and Kasparas Jakucions, along with this year’s first-round pick, two more future first-round picks, a 2030 pick swap and a 2033 second-rounder. The Heat were not really considered a contender, opening at +1800 after the NBA Draft and they’ve dropped to +2500.
3)Toronto re-acquires Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-round picks. That’s an awful lot for a 34-year-old oft-injured guard. Leonard is a seven-time All-Star who is coming off one of his best seasons (27.9ppg). His defense, along with Scottie Barnes, could make the Raptors a contender, but this has become a very difficult Eastern Conference. The oddsmakers don’t believe in the Raptors right now (+2500).
4)Portland adds Ja Morant for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It’s hard to believe what Portland is doing, but they didn’t give up much for the super-talented 26-year-old guard, who has been suspended multiple times and has also dealt with numerous injuries. Portland (+8000) is a young team that has plenty of work to do to become a contender in the West.
5)Charlotte deals Miles Bridges to Charlotte along with a 2029 first-round pick for Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neal. The Hornets also dealt star guard LeMelo Ball to Minnesota for Naz Reid and a series of draft picks, according to ESPN on Thursday. That didn’t exactly move the odds because Charlotte is a bit of an afterthought at +10000, but that says more about culture and building the team around Braxton Miller and Kon Kneuppel than it says about going for it with Ball and Bridges. Phoenix (+12000) is one of those teams stuck in neutral where they have an outstanding guard in Devin Booker, but not enough surrounding him. The Bridges move could energize them some.
6)What are the LA Lakers doing? James was expected to be gone, but trading two unprocted first-round picks and two first-round swaps for C Walker Kessler? Kessler is 7-foot-2 and an outstanding shot blocker when healthy. Offensively, he’s limited as a rim-runner. On Wednesday, the Lakers also picked up guard Quentin Grimes, forward Sando Mamukelasvili and guard Collin Sexton in free agency. In other words, this roster is built around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with some solid role players and Kessler will have to clean up some of the defensive mistakes of his backcourt. The Lakers are +4000 to win the title, which places them at 13th overall. A pickup of Jalen Duren (Detroit) may have improved those odds.
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