Nets co-favorites to win NBA title after landing Harden
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James Harden voiced his displeasure with the Rockets organization following a loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. Not even 24 hours later, the star point guard has a new home.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported that Houston is sending Harden to the Nets in a blockbuster multi-team deal that immediately shifted futures odds.
After sitting +500 to win the NBA title, the Nets plummeted to +250 at theScore Bet, according to Jay Rood, Bet.Works' chief risk officer and theScore Bet's head trader. They are now favored to win the East (+150) and co-favorites atop the title oddsboard with the Lakers.
Harden's arrival in Brooklyn marks a reunion with Kevin Durant after the two previously played together with the Thunder. Along with Kyrie Irving, they form a video game-type offensive trio for first-year head coach Steve Nash.
We mentioned the Nets as a team on the rise in the futures market earlier in the week; now they land an eight-time All-Star and former MVP, bettering their chances of plowing through the East and reaching the NBA Finals.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.