NBA title odds: The biggest movers after Day 1 of free agency
NBA title odds are already on the move following a frenetic start to the official free-agency period, which kicked off Sunday evening.
Here are the current numbers to win the 2020 championship and a look at some of the teams that saw key moves on their prices.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Lakers | 7-4 |
| Bucks | 13-2 |
| 76ers | 10-1 |
| Warriors | 10-1 |
| Raptors | 10-1 |
| Clippers | 10-1 |
| Rockets | 12-1 |
| Jazz | 16-1 |
| Nuggets | 18-1 |
| Nets | 25-1 |
| Celtics | 25-1 |
| Thunder | 30-1 |
| Trail Blazers | 30-1 |
| Pacers | 40-1 |
| Mavericks | 50-1 |
| Spurs | 50-1 |
| Pelicans | 50-1 |
| Heat | 100-1 |
| Kings | 100-1 |
| Knicks | 100-1 |
| Magic | 100-1 |
| Hawks | 200-1 |
| Bulls | 200-1 |
| Timberwolves | 200-1 |
| Suns | 200-1 |
| Pistons | 300-1 |
| Grizzlies | 300-1 |
| Wizards | 300-1 |
| Hornets | 1000-1 |
| Cavaliers | 1000-1 |
Jazz (25-1 to 16-1)
Utah isn't a big market that attracts top-flight free agents, but the front office has hit a home run with its recent moves. After pulling off a trade for Mike Conley prior to the draft, Jazz brass made two sneaky good signings by locking up Bojan Bogdanovic and Ed Davis to multi-year deals.
Pacers (80-1 to 40-1)
Sticking to the theme of underrated signings, the Pacers were one of the biggest risers in the East following Sunday's acquisitions of Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb. With Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis also in the fray, Indiana has a solid foundation for the next few years.
Pelicans (100-1 to 60-1)
The Pelicans completely overhauled their roster when they shipped Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart. And after snagging Zion Williamson and Jaxson Hayes in the draft, they went out and inked sharpshooter JJ Redick and EuroLeague star Nicolo Melli.
Magic and Heat (200-1 to 100-1)
Orlando locking up Nikola Vucevic to a max deal slashed its odds in half. Coming off a division win, this a team has the upside to be in the postseason mix for seasons to come. In the same division, the Heat were very close to a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler, though that initial transaction fell through. It could still get done, however, sending Miami's odds on the move.
Cavaliers and Hornets (200-1 to 1000-1)
Both the Cavaliers and Hornets weren't expected to make much noise in 2019-20, but they firmly separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the updated odds. Charlotte essentially swapped out three-time All-Star Kemba Walker for former Celtics backup point guard Terry Rozier, while Cleveland doesn't figure to do much of anything this offseason given the state of the franchise.
Other notes
- The Knicks were as short as 25-1 in some shops during the opening stages of the offseason, with the perception that they'd be able to round up some talent. But after reportedly choosing to not offer Kevin Durant a max deal - like the one he signed with the nearby Nets - and instead lock up a handful of mid-tier free agents, New York remains a long shot.
- Oddsmakers did loosen up the Clippers' number a bit, though there's always a possibility the franchise can still lure in Kawhi Leonard. Shops are currently in protect mode.
- The Warriors saw a slight shake-up when they acquired D'Angelo Russell, moving from 12-1 to 10-1.
- The Lakers are already a liability in the futures market and the handle only figures to increase if Leonard signs with the club. The Lakers would likely move to somewhere in the -200 range if they land Leonard, SuperBook executive manager Derek Wilkinson told theScore's Thomas Casale on Sunday.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.