With the 2018 NBA Draft in the rearview mirror, the focus now shifts to free agency with the top contenders in the association looking to reload for another championship run. Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley and Luka Doncic will all be expected to play important roles in turning the fortunes of their respective franchises around after being drafted in the top three. However, the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks won’t be expected to contend this season. So how did the draft impact the sports betting odds to win it all? Here is a look at the updated odds to win the NBA Championship following this year’s draft.
The Golden State Warriors are still the obvious favorites to win another title at +165. Golden State is coming off back-to-back NBA championships and there is no reason to think there run will come to an end next year. Kevin Durant is expected to be back with the Warriors. LeBron James, Paul George and Chris Paul are all potential free agents while Kawhi Leonard’s future is in question. Until we know for sure where these star players are headed it’s difficult to handicap which team has the best chance to challenge Golden State’s dominance.
The Houston Rockets are currently projected to be the Warriors biggest challenger in the West. The problem is that even if Paul returns, Houston is still a distant No. 2 behind Golden State and the odds don’t exactly reflect that. The Rockets are listed at +600 odds to win it all. At that number, it’s hard to buy in on betting their NBA Championship futures with the risk of Paul leaving.
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are the top representatives from the Eastern Conference with the Celtics at +500 and the 76ers at +800. Both teams will look to add some star talent to their roster in free agency in an effort to really shake things up. Both also added high draft picks.
Boston will get back Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward next season and added Robert Williams, who some say could be a steal with the No. 27 pick. Meanwhile, the 76ers created some more cap space by trading the rights to 10th overall pick Mikal Bridges to the Los Angeles Lakers at the draft. They also added Zhaire Smith in the trade. Philadelphia will still have to clear up some more salary space in order to be able to sign a free agent like LeBron James to a max contract. Nonetheless, trading Bridges gives the 76ers a little more flexibility moving forward.
If you are looking for value, the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs really stand out as teams that could contend if they are able to bring back their best players. LeBron is mostly expected to leave but the sentiment has shifted this week. Reports have suggested he may try to recruit players to Cleveland.
As for the Spurs, Leonard has reportedly requested a trade out of San Antonio but that doesn’t mean the Spurs have to oblige. They can hold onto him and try to change his mindset. LaMarcus Aldridge was also disgruntled at this point last offseason but they found a way to mend that relationship.
Speaking of value, the Washington Wizards are currently listed at +9000 odds. If Washington could somehow convince Durant to leave Golden State and return to his hometown then it could make the Wizards an instant contender in the Eastern Conference. That’s not very likely, though.
The Warriors are still the obvious favorite to win it all. However, free agency could significantly impact the outlook of the rest of the NBA on paper with a number of potential contenders set to challenge Golden State in 2018-19.
