Don’t blink.
The past several days of NBA news have brought a dizzying amount of activity.
Pre-draft trades. Draft picks. And then free agency arrived just a few hours later.
Almost every team’s roster has undergone major renovations in the last week, and the 76ers are certainly no different.
As noted by the Philadelphia Inquirer, last week, the 76ers traded Al Horford, a protected 2025 first-round pick, the 34th pick in this year’s draft and the rights to Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson.
Then they traded a second-round draft pick and Josh Richardson to the Dallas Mavericks for sharpshooter Seth Curry.
NBA draft brings three new players to Philadelphia 76ers
In the draft, the 76ers selected Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey (pictured, lead image) with the 21st pick in the first round. Then, in the second round, the team chose Isaiah Joe with the 49th pick and post player Paul Reed with No. 58.
As a whole, the roster moves seemed designed to upgrade the team’s shooting and scoring, which has eroded recently. The loss of Jimmy Butler to the Heat and J.J. Redick to the Pelicans seemed to send the Sixers backward this past season. With Ben Simmons out with an injury, Boston swept Philadelphia in the NBA playoffs.
76ers have been completely revamped in the offseason
But a lot has changed since then. In October, the 76ers hired Doc Rivers, who won an NBA title with the Celtics in 2008, as their new head coach.
And earlier this month, the team hired former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey as the team’s new president of basketball operations. Morey has built some impressive rosters in both Oklahoma City and Houston, so many have high hopes for his work in Philadelphia.
Most of his early moves have earned solid reviews. Some think Maxey could be a draft-day steal. Morey also signed Lakers center Dwight Howard to a one-year deal. And yesterday, the team made a back-end roster move, trading guard Zhaire Smith to the Pistons for center Tony Bradley.
At this point, the Sixers have essentially one roster spot left to work with. And according to the Philly Voice, some possible additions for that spot include Torrey Craig, Shabazz Napier, Langston Galloway and Glenn Robinson.
Sportsbooks still consider Sixers a long shot to win NBA title
So what do all these roster moves mean for the team’s betting odds? According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the 76ers are currently +2500 to win the next NBA title. Their odds improve to +1000 to simply win the Eastern Conference.
DraftKings also has pricing already listed on some player futures for the upcoming season, which begins on Dec. 22. Maxey is +6000 to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
In the MVP race, Joel Embiid is +4000 and Ben Simmons is +8000.
Season win totals, which could be based on win percentages like Major League Baseball did with a shortened season, should be available at PA sports betting apps soon.
Early NBA futures betting favors 76ers, Mavs
Sports bettors are apparently seeing value in the long futures odds for the 76ers.
At FanDuel over the past week, the top two teams in bet count and handle for the NBA championship market have been the 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks.
The NBA season is less than a month away
NBA teams are facing the fastest turnaround in league history. But considering how last season ended for the Sixers, a chance to get back on the court might be the best medicine.
And Philadelphia’s upcoming season will feature a fresh look and a whole bunch of new faces. Some of them haven’t even arrived yet.
So don’t blink.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/James Crisp
Related Articles
