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After a shocking trade for superstar point guard Damian Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks are your new NBA title favorites.
Milwaukee, who had the third-best title odds at +600 before news of the trade, leapfrogged the Celtics (+470) and Nuggets (+480) to rise to the top of the oddsboard at +360 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Bucks also halved their odds to win the Eastern Conference, going from +290 second-favorites behind Boston to +145 favorites to make it to the NBA Finals.
The deal ends a months-long stalemate between Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers after the seven-time All-Star requested a trade in early July.
Lillard had stated for months that the Heat was his preferred destination, even implying that he’d only report to training camp for Miami or Portland.
It is unclear if Lillard changed his mind, but, as Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes stated, he and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had flirted with the idea of teaming up in recent years.
The three-team deal also included the Phoenix Suns, who are receiving Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson.
Damian Lillard is being traded to the Bucks. Getty Images
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a new tag-team partner in Milwaukee. Getty ImagesThe Blazers are receiving Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick from the Bucks and the right to swap picks in 2028 and 2030.
Holiday is expected to be rerouted to a contender in a separate deal, according to multiple reports, with the 76ers and Heat being floated as possible destinations for the two-time All-Star and 2021 NBA champion.
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The blockbuster deal led to odds movement among several other contenders as well.
Denver had their odds increase slightly to +430 and are now the second favorites.
With the East getting that much tougher, Boston’s odds dropped to +480 and sit as the third favorites.
The Suns remain the fourth favorites, jumping from +650 to +600 to win the title after bringing in additional wing depth and replacing Ayton with Nurkic.
