As we turn to the NBA off-season, let’s take a look at some future bets in each conference. In the West, Oklahoma City will look to retain its title, but with the addition of Cam Johnson and a familiar face, Bruce Brown, Denver is back and better than ever.
In the wide-open East, Orlando instantly jumps out as a contender with their top-five defense and superstar man in Paolo Banchero.
These odds are coming directly after the Cam Johnson, Michael Porter Jr. deal that Denver must be thrilled about. Cam Johnson is a proven winner on and off the court, and with Phoenix, his contributions took them all the way to an NBA Finals just two years before Denver got their own championship.
This move, alongside bringing back Bruce Brown, Holmes returning from injury, and the evolution of Strawther, Pickett, and Watson alongside this veteran core, should give Adelman and the Nuggets another shot at getting back to the NBA Finals. Denver had a real chance to defeat OKC and see Minnesota in the conference finals if Aaron Gordon didn’t end up playing 40% healthy during that Game 7.
I trust Denver’s management, coaching, and not to mention - the best big man in the world, Nikola Jokic. +900 will most likely be the best price you can get the Nuggets to win the West at after these opening day free agency moves.
Giannis is that good. We forget that Antetokounmpo dropped 50 points in Game 6 to clinch his first championship, to add to his already incredible legacy.
The Bucks were able to retain Bobby Portis but with the limited cap space to work with, this team has almost been written off as a contender in an Eastern Conference that features: a Boston team without Tatum, a Knicks team without a coach, a new-look Orlando team, a Cavs team that hasn’t gotten over the hump, and a Pacers team without Haliburton.
The Bucks are simply one trade or deadline move away from becoming an instant contender with a healthy Giannis, and 3rd offensive weapon. Should they get a few solid re-signs and development from Tyler Smith and Andre Jackson Jr., this is amazing value.
Orlando looks like a championship contender. With 22-year-old Paolo Banchero at the helm, they have now surrounded him with rim protection, shooting, playmaking, and incredible perimeter defense.
This team simply knocked the draft out of the park and could end up with a handful of 6MOTY candidates, including guard Anthony Black. After an injury-plagued season, I truly believe this squad could win 50 games and finish top three in the East.
Look for Orlando to stay aggressive at the deadline to potentially get one more frontcourt piece but as for having both win-now and future roster pieces, Orlando is doing it right.