NBA championship odds following first days of free agency frenzy
By Peter Dewey
The NBA offseason is one of the most exciting times of the year, as free agent signings and trades can completely shift the landscape of the league in one season.
It happens nearly every year, and Damian Lillard is the latest star to request a trade, citing the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat as his desired destination.
That’s caused a shake up in the odds to win the NBA Finals in the 2023-24 season, but there’s been a lot more that has happened.
The Dallas Mavericks retained All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, an interesting move since the team struggled (8-12) with him in the lineup last season. However, Dallas couldn’t afford to lose him for nothing in free agency.
Bruce Brown – the highly coveted role player from the Denver Nuggets’ championship team – signed a two-year, $45 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, but his departure hasn’t moved Denver off the top spot in the odds.
With so many teams making moves (Boston traded for Kristaps Porzingis, James Harden could be on his way out and more), how does the futures market look at this point in the offseason?
We’ve got you covered with the latest odds:
Latest odds to win the NBA Finals in 2023-24 season
Miami Heat’s odds surge following Damian Lillard trade request
The Heat have jumped to +900 or +1000 (depending on the sportsbook) following Lillard’s trade request.
It makes sense since the seven-time All-Star is coming off a season where scored a career-high 32.2 points per game, but Miami still does have to make a deal for Lillard.
The Heat lost Gabe Vincent and Max Strus this offseason, so the team is lacking a little depth should Lillard end up elsewhere. Still, this odds shift shows that Vegas expects Dame to end up in South Beach.
Vegas buying Los Angeles Lakers running it back
The Los Angeles Lakers have been active this offseason:
- Re-signed guard D’Angelo Russell
- Re-signed guard Austin Reaves
- Re-signed forward Rui Hachimura
- Signed guard Gabe Vincent
- Signed wing Cam Reddish
- Signed center Jaxson Hayes
- Signed forward Taurean Prince
The Lakers made the Western Conference Finals last season, and now they have brought back most of the key contributors from that team (they did lose Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Schroder) while adding two proven role players in Vincent and Prince.
Los Angeles is +1500 at FanDuel to win the NBA Finals, a solid value for a team that has LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way.
Cleveland Cavaliers' additions not moving the needle?
The Cleveland Cavaliers earned the No. 4 seed in the East last season, but they fell short in the first round of the playoffs due to the lack of outside shooting – specifically from their wing players.
The Cavs addressed that this offseason, bringing back Caris LeVert, signing Georges Niang and executing a sign-and-trade deal for Max Strus.
But will it be enough?
Oddsmakers don’t seem to be sold, leaving Cleveland at +3000 to win the NBA Finals – outside of the top group in the East of Milwaukee, Boston, Miami and Philly.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.