Updated 2023 NBA Championship Odds After Kyrie Irving's Trade to Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are now more likely to win a championship and the Brooklyn Nets are now less likely to win a championship, at least in the eyes of those who set the odds.
Each team's championship odds changed after completing a trade that sent Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Mavericks in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Dallas was listed at +2500 (bet $100 to win $2,500) but is now +1400 on FanDuel, as of Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Brooklyn was +2000 but fell to +2200 after the swap.
It's not hard to see why Dallas saw a boost to its chances.
Luka Dončić is an unbelievable talent, but he didn't have enough high-level help with the way the roster was constructed to realistically win a championship. His usage rate of 37.6 percent is second in the league, per NBA.com, and the formula has been good enough for a 28-26 record and No. 6 spot in the Western Conference standings.
Irving's presence will immediately take some of the double-teams off Dončić and give the Mavericks someone else who can reliably create quality shots for himself and others while carrying the offense for stretches.
Throw in Christian Wood down low, and Dallas can work pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops with either guard and the big man who creates problems for opposing defenses throughout the game.
The biggest question mark for the Mavericks at this point is their defense.
They are 24th in the league in defensive rating, per NBA.com, and Irving is not exactly known as a dominant player on that end of the floor. It will be difficult to hide both him and Dončić on defense, especially in the playoffs, but they won't have much of a choice following this trade.
As for Brooklyn, moving on from an eight-time All-Star who is playing at a high level this season is never going to be ideal for the championship odds. But it's not a stretch to suggest this team could still compete in the Eastern Conference with Kevin Durant surrounded by a solid supporting cast of role players.
That is, of course, assuming Durant isn't also moved ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, but the Nets could present some value for sports gamblers looking to take a high-odds championship contender after this trade.
For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.
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