Maybe the Boston Celtics will have a challenge in the Eastern Conference next season.
The Philadelphia 76ers made a huge addition as many NBA fans went to bed early Monday morning. Nine-time All-Star Paul George agreed to join the 76ers a four-year contract worth $212 millionThe betting market loves the cut.
The 76ers’ chances of winning the NBA championship were cut in half with this news. When basketball fans went to bed, the 76ers were +1400 odds at BetMGM to win the title.
When they woke up, the 76ers were +800.
76ers advance in the East
George and the 76ers are a fun duo. Center Joel Embiid is a former NBA MVP and a shooting guard Tyrese Maxey was a star in the making last season. Maxey accepted a five-year, $204 million contract Monday. But the results were not satisfactory, with the 76ers being eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the The New York Knicks.
This 76ers group, built around Embiidehas never been to the NBA Finals. The 76ers haven’t been to the NBA Finals or even the Conference Finals since 2001. Maybe George will help change that.
George is 34 but remains one of the best forwards in the NBA. He has made the NBA All-Star Game in each of the last two seasons and averaged 22.6 points per game last season. Suddenly, the 76ers’ Big Three is formidable. George’s signing came just after the 76ers added depth at center by signing Andre Drummond to a two-year contract.
At least the Eastern Conference should be a little more interesting.
Celtics still NBA favorites
One of the criticisms of the last NBA playoffs was that the Celtics’ path to the title was too easy. Between injuries and the lack of serious contenders in the East, Boston has rarely been challenged in the playoffs. The Celtics won the Eastern Conference by 14 games in the regular season and then easily won the title.
They are still the favorites to win the NBA Finals in 2025 at +300. Denver Nuggets are next at +750. The 76ers are right after that, tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder at +800.
The East win odds also changed with George’s announcement. The 76ers moved from +650 to +400 to win the Eastern Conference overnight at BetMGM. Oddly enough, the New York Knicks (+375) are still second behind the Celtics (+125) in the conference odds. The Knicks made their own huge addition by trading for Mikal Bridgeswho averaged 19.6 points per game with the Brooklyn Nets last season.
The 76ers are simply trying to get closer to a title, or at least a return to the NBA Finals for the first time in more than 20 years. The odds indicate they’ve taken a big step in that direction with the arrival of George.
