Boston Celtics fans and bettors have seen this movie before, only in reverse.
Celtics odds fall, Nets odds soar with Garnett Pierce trade
Brooklyn’s NBA championship odds soared and Boston’s odds plunged on news of the trade sending Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets. See the impact one trade made on the NBA future odds.
Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
In 2007, the struggling Celtics pulled off a pair of draft-day stunners, acquiring Kevin Garnett from the Timberwolves and swiping Ray Allen from Seattle.
Suddenly the Celtics were transformed back into NBA contenders and the NBA future odds reflected this changed landscape.
Fast-forward to June 2013 and the Celtics were making waves again, this time by delivering the contender status to the Brooklyn Nets. Sportsbooks around the world were once again forced to immediately take notice and adjust their odds.
The Nets, a 40/1 longshot Thursday morning, turned into a 10/1 third betting choice when Garnett and Paul Pierce were traded from Boston for future draft picks and some spare bodies (who may never play in Boston).
Boston, on the other hand, will start the 2013-2014 as hopeless longshots, just as they did before those trades in 2007. Their 2014 NBA title odds plummeted to 75/1 at Bovada.
Thursday’s NBA draft was full of trades, but none affected the NBA future odds situation in a meaningful way. Philadelphia fell to 150/1 after sending point guard Jrue Holiday to New Orleans. They picked up Nerlens Noel -- the Kentucky defensive wizard who was favored to go first overall but fell to No. 6 -- and a future first-round pick in the move.
“Even though the draft did not really produce anything worthy of adjusting our Championship odds, the trade between the Celtics and Nets definitely did have an impact,” said Kevin Bradley of Bovada.
“Meanwhile, the Celtics losing their coach and two future Hall of Famers are up to 75-1, which is the highest pre-season odds they have been since I can remember.”
At 10/1, the Nets are tied with the Clippers for third on the betting menu. Oklahoma City sits at 11/2, well back of the two-time defending champions from Miami (2/1).
Pro basketball odds update throughout the offseason, and free agency may have an impact as well, said Mark Presley of OddsShark.com.
See More:
