How the James Harden trade affected NBA championship odds

In a mega-deal around the league, the Houston Rockets traded perennial MVP candidate James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. Now let’s see how this trade affects the championship chances of the four NBA teams involved.

Brooklyn Nets (+600 to +300)

Takeover of Brooklyn Nets : James Harden

Brooklyn Nets broadcast: Three first round selections (22, 24, 26), four first round trades (21, 23, 25, 27), Rodion Kurucs, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, Taurean Prince.

James Harden, along with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, will form one of the most intimidating Big Threes the NBA has ever seen.

On the offensive side, the Nets should be the most unstoppable team in the league. Even with Irving out indefinitely, keeping Harden and Durant will be a defensive nightmare.

Not surprisingly, the Nets immediately saw their chances of winning an NBA championship increase. If a team can defend even in the shadows, it should easily advance to the second round of the playoffs.

There is no doubt that Brooklyn will experience the biggest increase in betting by winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy before the end of the season.

Houston missiles (+5 000 to +12 000)

The Houston missiles are taking over: Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodion Kurucs, 3 BKN first round (22, 24, 26), 1 MIL first (22, unprotected), 4 BKN first round exchanges (21, 23, 25, 27).

Sending missiles from Houston: James Harden

Of the four teams in the NBA, the Rockets are the only team whose chances of winning a championship diminish after the trade.

That’s to be expected when you trade the face of the franchise for a huge selection of designs.

At the beginning of the season, Houston was expected to be an underdog at best. They are now relegated to sixth place among all Western Conference participants.

With the addition of Oladipo to a team that already includes the cousins of DeMarcus and John Wall, the Rockets aren’t ready to turn around and head to the basement just yet.

But the little NBA championship ambitions they had this year are now truly a thing of the past.

Cleveland Riders (+50,000 to +25,000)

Acquisition of the Cleveland Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, Prince of Taurus.

Cleveland Riders broadcast: Dante Exum.

The Cavaliers made a good deal here, acquiring a legitimate franchise center and a solid rotation piece from Jarrett Allen in exchange for Dante Exum, who won’t even be able to play for the Rockets for about a month.

Still, the addition of Allen isn’t nearly enough to propel Cleveland forward this season.

With a slightly different roster, the Cavs could be fighting in about a year, but they’re still extremely random, as evidenced by the +25,000 ratings.

This business opens up a brighter future for Cleveland, but bettors won’t be rushing into sports betting to bet they’ll win it all this year.

Indiana Pacers (+10,000 to +5,000)

Takeover of Indiana Pacers : Carys LeVert, round two.

Indiana Pacers shipping: Victor Oladipo

Like the Cavaliers, the Hardens cut the Indiana Pacers’ title chances in half.

At the beginning of the season, the Pacers were considered outsiders at best. The trade of Victor Oladipo for Caris LeVert shouldn’t make much of a difference, but the likelihood of a change is high.

Bookmakers may think a new face in Indy will push the Pacers to the top, but it’s doubtful Indiana will shock the world and dethrone some of the eastern super teams.

Of the four teams on the schedule, Indiana is expected to have the second highest increase in bets on them after the Nets.

How the James Harden trade affected NBA championship odds