Let the NBA free-agent carousel start to spin.
This year, the rumors seem even juicer, and there seems to be a myriad of big-name NBA stars ready to switch teams and secure a big contract. Free agency is the first step towards building a championship contender.
Even though not all these guys are officially free agents, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and (gasp) Damian Lillard are all big names in the 2023 NBA free agency odds, so let's dive in.
James Harden NBA Free Agency Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +125 |
| New York Knicks | +175 |
| Miami Heat | +350 |
| Houston Rockets | +600 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +700 |
| Boston Celtics | +800 |
Odds as of June 30
ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski dropped the bomb that Harden was opting into his deal with the 76ers, but only for the purpose of being traded. Yeesh. So where could he go?
NBA fans are clamoring for a Rockets reunion at +600 — I don't hate that as a longshot bet — but, to me, the Clippers seem more likely.
Best Bet: Clippers (+125); Dart Throw on Rockets (+600)
Damian Lillard NBA Free Agency Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Miami Heat | -250 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +250 |
| Toronto Raptors | +350 |
| New York Knicks | +700 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1000 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1200 |
Odds as of June 30
Um, these odds are wonky, but I get it. Lillard isn't technically a free agent, but there's always drama about when he might bail from the middling Trail Blazers organization.
The oddsmakers love the Heat, and I suppose that's a good fit. I doubt the Raptors make a move, so I'm actually eyeing the Clippers (+1200) and Lakers (+1000) down the list. If the Clips whiff on Harden, they can pony up for Dame. And with sand pouring out of LeBron James' hourglass, he can pitch the front office to swing a big deal for Lillard.
Best Bets: Value Picks on Lakers (+1000) or Clippers (+1200)
Kyrie Irving NBA Free Agency Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | -500 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +650 |
| Miami Heat | +850 |
| Phoenix Suns | +1000 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +1400 |
Odds as of June 30
Ugh, does anyone even want to see Dallas run it back? Kyrie showed up last year and somehow made a backcourt run by Luka Doncic look unusable. That's a hard pass for me if I'm Mark Cuban.
But alas, Irving is chalked to return to Dallas. Fine. But we'll poach value elsewhere. I really like him at +650 to the Lakers. A lil' LBJ reunion.
Best Bet: Lakers (+650)
Draymond Green NBA Free Agency Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | -500 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +600 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +1400 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +1600 |
Odds as of June 30
I like the Mavericks here, and no I won't be taking questions. Just kidding.
I think there's an avenue for a sign-and-trade deal where the Warriors ship Draymond to Dallas in exchange for a wing defender like Reggie Bullock.
Best Bet: Mavericks (+1400)
Russell Westbrook NBA Free Agency Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | -250 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +650 |
| Chicago Bulls | +1000 |
| Miami Heat | +1000 |
| Washington Wizards | +1800 |
Odds as of June 30
I'm not very high on Westbrook, but he seemed to really click in his time with the Clippers as a shockingly efficient member of their backcourt rotation. All to say, I'll bet he returns to L.A.
But since we can't choke on chalk, I'd take the Miami Heat as a value pick at +1000.
