Rockets' title odds improve after acquiring Westbrook

Another domino has fallen in a hectic NBA offseason.

The Houston Rockets reportedly acquired Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, with Chris Paul and picks going back in return. As a result, Westgate slashed Houston's title odds from 12-1 to 6-1, before settling back at 8-1.

"We actually win on them," Caesars oddsmaker Alan Berg told theScore's Tom Casale regarding liability in the futures market. "Only the Hawks and Magic are better results. That said, I think the trade made (the Rockets) worse."

The Rockets were initially deemed a "long shot" destination for Westbrook among a field of potential trade partners that apparently also included the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

While the focus remains on Houston - now tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the fourth-shortest odds - perhaps the bigger storyline shifts to Oklahoma City. Originally opening 40-1 in the 2019-20 title odds, the Thunder went to 200-1 after trading Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers. With Westbrook now out of the fold, OKC sits at a whopping 500-1.

The Clippers remain the favorites at 7-2, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks at 9-2.

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer at theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.