The NBA’s regular season is less than a week away from its Christmas start and most rosters have taken shape after a flurry of moves.
The biggest domino to fall was Chris Paul traded from New Orleans to the Los Angeles Clippers last week. He’ll team with Blake Griffin to form one of the league’s best duos, but the supporting cast isn’t bad either, especially after adding Chauncey Billups who got amnestied by the New York Knicks.
Oddsmakers have moved the Clips (+600) to fourth place in the Western Conference odds. The Lakers (+200) are tied at the top with Oklahoma City and are reeling a bit after losing out on Paul and Orlando proclaiming that Dwight Howard will not be traded anywhere soon.
Kobe Bryant is reportedly unhappy with Lakers’ management after the salary dump of Lamar Odom to Dallas, but has shot down a Stephen A. Smith report that he could ask for a trade. Bryant could be extra ornery this year with his wife just filing for divorce (with no prenup) and the recent low-level signings of Josh McRoberts and Troy Murphy will not appease him.
Oklahoma City has continued to climb up the oddsboard despite limited offseason moves. Center Kendrick Perkins has lost 30 pounds and the general youth of the Thunder will allow them to stay fresh in the 66-game condensed season.
Defending champion Dallas (+300) has undergone a major roster upheaval with a big goal keeping cap space for next season to lure a major free agent. There are depth issues at center after losing Tyson Chandler and point guard after J.J. Barea’s departure. Aging shooting guard Vince Carter was a recent addition and could help in a limited role.
There’s a big drop-off in the conference odds after the first four teams with San Antonio (+1100), Memphis (+1400), Denver and Portland (both +2500) following.
‘How the East Was Won’
This Eastern Conference hasn’t had any major moves this offseason, unlike the prior year when LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to join Dwyane Wade in Miami. The trio may have had an embarrassing NBA Finals loss to Dallas, blamed mostly on James, but they’re still the big -110 conference favorite.
The Heat’s recent moves have included signing swingman Shane Battier and former overweight washout Eddy Curry. They also re-signed their restricted free agent point guard Mario Chalmers. The biggest move may have been extending coach Erik Spoelstra’s contract, showing the three big stars that team president Pat Riley and ownership have his back.
Chicago (+250) is a clear second-favorite in the East and just made a solid signing with Richard Hamilton. The former Piston should step right in at off-guard and provide much-needed scoring. However, he has a lot of wear-and-tear on his 33-year-old body and can he guard the likes of Wade in a playoff series?
Boston (+500) just suffered a big blow with forward Jeff Green needing heart surgery and out for the year. He was expected to play 30 minutes as a sixth-man and their over-the-hill nucleus doesn’t have a good replacement. The Celtics look to be way overvalued at these odds.
The Knicks (+800) appear to have good odds value and should take the Atlantic Division over Boston. The Chandler addition shored up the center spot and Baron Davis was just signed to help replace Billups.
The Eastern odds also drop-off after the first four teams with Orlando (+1400), Atlanta, Indiana and New Jersey (all +2500) next. Larry Bird has built an interesting team in Indiana and recently signed power forward David West will provide low-post scoring. The Nets’ odds would quickly change if Howard is dealt there.
Remaining free agents are slim pickings
The remaining free agents leave a lot to be desired and will have minimal effect on future odds.
Samuel Dalembert is a good rebounder and shot-blocker from the center position. He would be a ‘good get’ for Dallas, but Houston is the current frontrunner. Andrei Kirilenko is an athletic forward who will likely end up with New Jersey or Sacramento, neither of which are contenders at this point.
Gilbert Arenas is another victim of the amnesty provision and the former Magic player could help as a scorer off the bench with the Heat, Lakers or Knicks. Kenyon Martin could soon be released from his team in China and someone will take him as likely a backup power forward.