Dwyane Wade is joined in Miami by LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
The combination of free agent signings and a flurry of trades have significantly changed the future book odds for upcoming NBA season. Most of the changes have taken place in the Eastern Conference, where Miami resides.
When LeBron James announced he was taking his talents to Miami to play for the Heat, it created a domino effect as far as NBA future book odds were concerned.
“We didn’t have any future book openers until we knew where LeBron was going,” stated Las Vegas Sports Consultants senior oddsmaker Mike Seba. “Once LeBron made his announcement, and we were aware that Chris Bosh was also joining the team, we opened Miami as a 7/5 favorite to capture the NBA title.”
Those NBA odds have since moved up a bit, as most Las Vegas sports books now have the Heat as a 9/5 favorite.
While the Cleveland Cavaliers were waving goodbye to James, the oddsmakers at LVSC didn’t waste any time opening the Cavs as a 250/1 long shot to take the NBA title.
“While the Cavs still have some good young talent, you just can’t take away a player who is capable of scoring a triple-double every night out of your lineup and expect to compete for a championship,” said Seba.
Of course, Miami’s improvement also influences the future book odds of other Eastern Conference squads.
“I think Boston’s old horses have one final run left in them,” said Seba. “Rajon Rondo is one of the best young point guards in the league and recently acquired Jermaine O’Neal could be rejuvenated without the pressure of being the go-to guy.”
LVSC opened Boston at 5/1 to win the title, but the club has since gone to 10/1.
The Orlando Magic also opened at 5/1, but their odds have since been bumped up to 8/1.
“Dwight Howard is still the best big man in the game, and if he improves his low-post game while being surrounded with better pieces, Orlando can be in the mix,” noted Seba.
“The Chicago Bulls were in desperate need of some inside scoring, and the acquisition of Carlos Boozer via free agency may have filled that void. Derek Rose and Joakim Noah should continue to improve, so we made the Bulls 12/1 to go all the way.”
The Western Conference saw a few teams influenced by free agent signings and trades.
The Utah Jazz opened at 25/1 to take the title, but getting Al Jefferson from Minnesota and adding Raja Bell has lowered the club’s future book price to 18/1. NBA betting odds.
Losing Amare Stoudemire through free agency bumped the Phoenix Suns’ future book odds from 25/1 to 50/1. The New York Knicks, where Stoudemire will be the starting center, are still a 50/1 long shot.
The Houston Rockets are one of the Western Conference NBA teams that have impressed Seba during the offseason.
“Having Yao Ming play the center position for the entire season, along with the addition of Brad Miller as an insurance policy, makes the Rockets a sleeper in the Western Conference,” said Seba. “I also like that they re-signed Louis Scola and Kyle Lowry to keep depth in the lineup.”
The Rockets opened at 25/1 to capture the title, but they have since been bet down to 20/1.