NBA Futures: Josh Eberley Looks Ahead to 2024
Is it insane to look at NBA futures one day after the Championship? Maybe, possibly, but you are here and Josh Eberley is on hand to do just that.
Firstly, congratulations to the Denver Nuggets who took care of business in convincing fashion, winning their first championship ever on their home floor Monday. Nikola Jokic is a Finals MVP and he has punched his ticket into at least the top-30 players of all-time with a resume only a dozen other players can match. Denver will start off where they finished up, they currently sit as the favourite at +475 in Bodog’s NBA odds to repeat as the champs in 2024.
Right behind the Nuggets are the Boston Celtics, who after a very woeful close to a rather chaotic season, the Celtics sit second at +500. Behind them are the Milwaukee Bucks (+650), Phoenix Suns (+900), and Los Angeles Lakers (+1100). Rounding out the top-10 are the Dallas Mavericks (+1200), Golden State Warriors (+1200), Los Angeles Clippers (+1400), Philadelphia 76ers (+1400), and Memphis Grizzlies (+1800). The ousted Finals losers are a lowly +2200 (Miami) and the Canada’s Raptors are +7000!
What you need to understand at this point is one, the odds are going to change. The Finals just ended but the NBA’s most chaotic period is the off-season. The draft and free agency period are going to drastically re-align the contenders before any player touches a basketball again.
If you forgot, the newest CBA agreement, taking the league through to 2029 is going to usher in a ton of change. The overall takeaway is that teams with big market advantage who are used to going way over the tax to contend year-after-year are going to pay hand over fist to stay above the rest. They are losing contract options they held prior, buyout abilities, and their tax dollars are also rising. It’s going to be measurably harder for stars to push their way to destinations that are already over the tax.
What this likely means is that this offseason is going to see a massive shuffle where teams are looking to strategically place themselves in more advantageous positions, with financial flexibility long-term, especially if they aren’t close to contending. Where-as, teams like Denver, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Milwaukee, are going to have to push hard before things get too hairy with the bill.
With all that in mind, let’s look at some of the names that could be on the move starting with Bradley Beal. The highest paid player of all-time seemingly content to hangout and score empty buckets each season. Is this the year things change?
Where Will Beal Play Next Year?
Washington -1000
Philadelphia +900
New Orleans +1600
Miami +2000
Portland +2000
Toronto +2000
If you’ve given up hope on Beal playing meaningful basketball again, the West’s prince of announced loyalty could also be on the move this offseason. Damian Lillard has long instigated fans who’ve tried to fake trade him on social media but the pot is hot and we might’ve reached our boiling point.
Where Will Lillard Play Next Year?
Portland -300
Miami +350
Brooklyn +750
Philadelphia +1000
New York +1600
Both Miami and Philadelphia feel viable. If Lillard wants to move, Miami has long been rumoured as a destination of choice for Dame time and Miami has to be desperate to add a third star alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Normally, I’d tell you that Tyler Herro and picks aren’t enough to interest Portland but they might just be willing to do right by their star in a shakeup.
The Sixers tried Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler and Embiid, and most recently James Harden and Embiid. With Harden potentially out the door, the pressure will be on Daryl Morey to keep a contending roster around Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is a blue chip talent and isn’t a bad starting point in the negotiations.
Harden is once again debating a move. After two very up-and-down playoff showings in Philadelphia and a horrendous stint in Brooklyn, Harden is looking for one more big payday. He might also still want to win, though, that is to be determined.
Where Will James Harden Play Next Year?
Philadelphia +110
Houston +135
Phoenix +350
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire and Harden back to Houston has been smoking on low heat all year.
Phoenix is also interesting. Durant wanted Harden in Brooklyn, Chris Paul might be on the way out and we’ve seen crazy things happen over-and-over with this generation of stars.
Similarly, Kyrie Irving landing back with Durant in Phoenix is also viable, though, less so as rumours heat up about Irving recruiting other stars to Dallas.
Where Will Irving Play Next Year?
Dallas -300
Los Angeles (Lakers) +400
Phoenix +650
Miami +3500
If you have a hunch, now’s a good time to hop-in. The NBA Draft is June 22nd. The dominoes are going to start rolling and with them the odds.
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*All discussed futures unless otherwise mentioned, are up and playable on bodog.eu.*