VEGAS BETTING REPORT: LeBron James to 76ers Shakes Up NBA Futures

LeBron James finally made it official midday today (July 24) – he was signing with the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent on a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, ESPN reported. 

The 76ers weren’t viewed as the consensus favorites to land LeBron James, but they were very much in the conversation. At +700 at DraftKings on Wednesday (July 22), Philadelphia’s odds to land James trailed only the Miami Heat (-200), the Cleveland Cavaliers (+225), and the Golden State Warriors (+450).

As soon as the news broke, sportsbooks scrambled to price National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals and conference futures—the latest plot twist in what has been a wild NBA summer, particularly in the Eastern Conference.

Blockbuster Summer Deals

First, on June 23, the Heat acquired superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a massive trade with the Milwaukee Bucks. Miami sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round draft picks, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2033 second-round pick to Milwaukee, while also acquiring Bobby Portis in the deal.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors are nearing a blockbuster deal to reunite with Kawhi Leonard, ESPN reported on June 30. In exchange for their 2019 championship hero, Toronto is set to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap, and two second-rounders to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the Raptors have paused the trade pending the outcome of an NBA investigation into Leonard’s contract with L.A.

On July 1, the Boston Celtics got in on the action, trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.

LeBron Chooses Philadelphia

For the 76ers, today’s news creates a star-studded core: James at power forward, Joel Embiid at center (assuming he stays healthy), Brown at small forward, Tyrese Maxey at point guard, and Anfernee Simons at shooting guard. Embiid missed 44 regular-season games for Philadelphia last season.

The flurry of moves has dramatically reshaped NBA championship and conference futures, according to Las Vegas sportsbook traders, with the 76ers now installed as a top betting favorite.

76ers Build Superteam

Circa Sportsbook in Las Vegas quickly adjusted its lines, shifting Philadelphia’s championship odds from +2000 to +850 and its Eastern Conference odds from +700 to +300. DraftKings moved the 76ers’ title odds from +2000 to +900 and their Eastern Conference odds from +750 to +370.

At Caesars Sportsbook, Philadelphia jumped from +1700 to +800 to win the title, +700 to +340 to win the East, and +350 to +200 to win the Atlantic Division. The odds for the 76ers to make the playoffs shortened from -450 to -800.

Title Odds Slashed

Caesars now lists the San Antonio Spurs at +240 to win the NBA title, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder (+275), the defending champion New York Knicks (+750), the 76ers (+800), and the Celtics (+1400). The Minnesota Timberwolves (+2200) and Denver Nuggets (+2200) follow, with the Cavaliers, Heat, Raptors, and Detroit Pistons grouped at +2800.

“We adjusted as soon as the news dropped and raised the price of the other teams he passed on back higher. He’s still a net positive for teams, but at this stage, most of the perception in the betting market is that folks bet on his name and reputation rather than on-court production. The Lakers were Luka’s team once he showed up there, and the Sixers have other top-tier pieces to help take some of the usage away from LeBron.”

Fenstermaker added: “In terms of fit, I think this was his best choice as it makes the most sense not only where he fits in the rotation, but also from a title contention standpoint. Of the four, the 76ers are quite easily the best positioned to be immediate contenders.”

A resolution to the Leonard contract situation and the official completion of his trade to Toronto is expected to shorten the Raptors’ odds further.