2021 NBA FUTURES REPORT
NBA Championship favorites
Los Angeles Lakers (+300): LeBron James is still under contract and Anthony Davis is negotiating a new deal to stay in L.A. The Lakers cut ties with veterans Rajon Rondo and Danny Green, but added Dennis Schorder to their bench and get even better up front by adding Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol on two-year deals.
Milwaukee Bucks (+550): While Giannis Antetokounmpo has declined to sign a Super Max extension prior to Thanksgiving, the Bucks remain the favorites in the ECF and are slightly ahead of the Clippers (+650) as the second favorites to win the title at FanDuel. Jrue Holiday is a significant upgrade over Eric Bledsoe, but losing out on Bogdan Bogdanovic hurts.
Los Angeles Clippers (+550): The Clippers made minor moves to potentially upgrade their roster, effectively swapping Landry Shamet for Luke Kennard and signing Serge Ibaka after letting Harrell walk in free agency. The biggest question for this squad is chemistry under new HC Tyronn Lue after they let a 3-1 lead evaporate in the WCF semifinals last season.
Brooklyn Nets (+600): Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are reportedly healthy heading into the season and the Nets have been linked to James Harden in trade rumors. So far Houston is holding onto it’s star, but there are indications that Brooklyn could add another big name and thus become the favorites in the ECF.
NBA championship contenders
Boston Celtics (+1300): Kemba Walker (knee) is already doubtful to start the season and the Celtics signed Jeff Teague for some insurance. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown locked up on multi-year deals, the C’s will be perennial contenders, but they likely need another star to have a true chance at a championship.
Miami Heat (+1500): The Heat turned in a special run in the Bubble and extended Bam Adebayo to lock down their star center of the future. Yet their current roster is not getting much respect from oddsmakers as they drop from +900 following a relatively quiet transactional period.
Toronto Raptors (+2000): The Raptors let Gasol and Ibaka walk and replaced them with cheap free agents Aron Baynes and Alex Len. That allowed them to re-sign Fred VanVleet and preserve their ultra-talented backcourt.
Denver Nuggets (+2200): Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are a superstar duo that can carry the Nuggets deep into the playoffs for a third straight year. As long as they have those core pieces, Denver is a team to watch.
Dallas Mavericks (+2200): While Kristaps Porzingis is recovering from yet another knee surgery, the Mavs are fully capable of vying for a playoff spot with MVP candidate Luka Doncic set to carry the load.
Philadelphia 76ers (+3000): Doc Rivers and Daryl Morey have been aggressive since taking over basketball operations in Philly. With Seth Curry on the roster, the Sixers should capitalize on the spacing created by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Golden State Warriors (+3000): Losing Klay Thompson (Achilles) in the preseason kills the Warriors chances in the ultra-competitive west. Their odds have plummeted from +600 to +3000 at DK despite the fact that they drafted promising big man James Wiseman.
Houston Rockets (+3000): Both James Harden and Russell Westbrook have requested trades and adding disgruntled big man DeMarcus Cousins might not do much to assuage those star guards.
Phoenix Suns (+4000): After going 8-0 in the Bubble, the Suns add Chris Paul to a loaded roster. We saw Paul help the Thunder soar past expectations last year and his veteran presence changes the Futures market for the Suns.