LSB Feature: How The Offseason Is Affecting NBA Futures Betting

• The NBA offseason has caused NBA odds to shift across the league and across sportsbooks.
• The Phoenix Suns odds shortened to +3300 after acquiring Chris Paul.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves’ odds shortened to +15000 following the NBA Draft.

SAN FRANCISCO – The NBA offseason is in full swing and there have already been several key moves that have managed to affect the betting lines in a major way.

Big trades, free agency signing, and the NBA Draft all lend themselves to a team’s improvement or regression. Sports bettors put action based on front office moves during this time.

Big acquisitions like the Phoenix Suns trading for Chris Paul managed to shorten the team’s NBA betting odds at online sportsbooks. This NBA offseason is gearing up to be another major time for the power to shift throughout the league.

NBA Draft

Many moves have already been made during the offseason, starting with the NBA Draft. Young prospects have been selected to their respective franchises and have shifted betting odds with their selections.

The big odds shift was following the Minnesota Timberwolves drafting number 1 overall Pick Anthony Edwards. Prior to the draft, the Timberwolves were +25000 to win the NBA Finals. After selecting Edwards, however, the team’s odds shortened to +15000.

While the odds are still long, that is a major shift in the odds, showing that several longshot bettors were placing the action on the Timberwolves thanks to that selection.

The draft isn’t the only offseason event that affects betting lines either. Trades and the free-agent market can completely change a team’s odds to win the finals in a matter of weeks.

Major Trades

The Phoenix Suns for example, after trading for Chris Paul, have gotten the attention of longshot sports bettors. Prior to getting Paul, the Sun’s odds to win the NBA Finals were +6000. Those odds have shorted to +3300.

That is a lot of action in just a few days, but sports bettors are expecting the veteran point guard presence that Paul brings will greatly improve the team. Chris Paul managed to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to the fifth seed in the playoffs last season.

Those putting action on NBA Finals betting would want to move quickly on these odds, as new trades happen at a moment’s notice. A set of trades or rumored acquisitions can greatly shorten a team’s odds.

The Milwaukee Bucks, for example, were initially +800 and were the third favorite to win the NBA Championship. However, after trading for all-star guard Jrue Holliday, those odds have shortened.

Following the news of the trade, sports bettors began putting more action on Milwaukee, shortening their odds to +550 and giving them the second-best odds to win the NBA Finals.

Free Agents Shift Odds

Possibly the biggest factor in shifting NBA betting lines, however, is the free agency market. Major free agents can shift a teams betting drastically.

An example of that is this past offseason, when star forward Kawhi Leonard, coming off of winning an NBA Finals MVP, signed with the Los Angles Clippers. The Clipper’s odds skyrocketed from longshot to heavy favorite seemingly overnight.

What a star player can do to any franchise is major. LeBron James returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers after winning two rings with the Miami Heat was a major move. Cleveland went from missing to playoffs to making the NBA Finals.

Long shot bettors who took early action on these teams prior to the free-agent signing could have cashed in big had the teams successfully won the championship.

While the NBA Draft and front office trades do a substantial job in bettering a team for the upcoming season, no single event can affect offseason betting lines more than major free agents signing.

Basketball isn’t the only sport that this is a factor in either. The NFL, for example, changes drastically following offseason moves. Tom Brady joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has shortened the team’s odds from longshot underdogs to +750 third-best at legal sports betting.

Best NBA Futures Betting

The offseason has the biggest effect on sports teams, as well as betting lines. Sports bettors who take action on the upcoming NBA season will want to pay close attention to the rumors coming out of the NBA world.

Adrian Wojnarowski is a prime source for NBA news, as the ESPN reporter has his ear to all NBA franchises.

The NBA offseason is in full swing, so sports bettors who want to take action on longshot odds may want to wager soon, as any move can shorten a team’s odds at online sportsbooks.

News tags: Adrian Wojnarowski | Chris Paul | Golden State Warriors | Kelly Oubre | Los Aneles Clippers | Los Angeles Lakers | LSB Feature | Milwaukee Bucks | Minnesota Timberwolves | NBA | NBA Betting | NBA Draft | NBA Odds | NBA Offseason | Phoenix Suns