Wizards Odds to Win Eastern Conference Improve to +5550 After Trading John Wall for Russell Westbrook
- The Washington Wizards acquired guard Russell Westbrook from the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in exchange for guard John Wall
- Washington’s odds to win the 2020-21 NBA Eastern Conference title improved to +5550 from +6250
- The Wizards haven’t won the East title since 1978-79 – can they do it with Russ and Bradley Beal?
Moving on from John Wall in exchange for Russell Westbrook hasn’t exactly knocked down the wall that the Washington Wizards must scale to become the 2020-21 NBA Eastern Conference champions.
Are the Wizards a better bet to rule over the East today than they were yesterday? As a matter of fact, yes they are.
Following Wednesday’s blockbuster trade, Washington’s line improved to +5550 in this betting market. Previously, the Wizards were listed at average odds of +6250 to rule the roost in the east next season.
2020-21 NBA Eastern Conference Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +240 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +270 |
| Boston Celtics | +600 |
| Miami Heat | +700 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +850 |
| Toronto Raptors | +850 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +5550 |
| Indiana Pacers | +5550 |
| Washington Wizards | +5550 |
| Orlando Magic | +6500 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +10000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +10000 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +13000 |
| New York Knicks | +13000 |
Odds taken Dec. 2 at FanDuel
Washington’s odds to the win the NBA Finals also shortened. The Wizards went from +16500 to +10000 in that betting market.
The Wizards haven’t won the Eastern Conference title since 1978-79.
Scaling the Wall
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Even adding a former MVP and scoring champion in Westbrook to their starting five didn’t make Washington a playoff lock.
Based on the odds boards, the Wizards still sit in that 7-8-9 bubble spot. They’re expected to be competing with the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers for the final playoff spots in the East.
Houston has agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 3, 2020
The Wizards were 25-47 last season. That was good for ninth in the East, a distant 7.5 games out of a postseason position.
It was the second straight season that saw Washington missing the playoffs.
Will Westbrook’s Addition Help Bradley Beal?
The pairing of Westbrook and James Harden didn’t make Houston go any further. The Rockets fizzled out early in the playoffs, just like they do most every season.
Still, Westbrook ended up finishing his lone season in Houston averaging 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists. He was a third-team All-NBA selection.
You can say what you want about Russ, but all I know is that when Paul George played next to him, he was an all star and MVP candidate.
He’s gonna push Bradley Beal to another level! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 3, 2020
The Wizards are hoping to get three things out of Westbrook, 32, the 2016-17 NBA MVP. Firstly, back into the playoffs.
Secondly, they hope his presence at point guard will bring shooting guard Bradley Beal’s game to an even higher level. In Oklahoma City, Paul George was an All-Star and an MVP finalist sharing the backcourt with Westbrook.
The third thing is that they would like Westbrook’s presence to be able to convince Beal that the Wizards are interested in winning. Beal is eligible for free agency following the 2020-21 season.
Running With Brooks
Westbrook will also be reuniting with Wizards head coach Scott Brooks. The two were together for seven seasons in Oklahoma City, in what were the best seasons in the Thunder’s history.
Oklahoma City won four Northwest Division titles during that seven-year span. The Thunder went to a trio of Western Conference finals and the 2011-12 NBA Finals.
Everyone now has to watch out for the Wizards! They traded for Russell Westbrook today. A @russwest44/@RealDealBeal23 will terrorize the East and make the Wizards a playoff team.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 3, 2020
Brooks and Westbrook clearly have a connection. More than any other team sport, having the head coach and the team’s star player on the same wavelength is essential to NBA harmony and success.
Make a Limited Buy Into Russell Futures
Don’t wager on Washington to win the East. Let’s not get silly here.
However, Westbrook’s presence should assure the Wizards of ending their two-year postseason hiatus. When those odds are issued, bet Washington to make the 2020-21 NBA playoffs.
https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears/status/1334306039320039426?s=20
Westbrook is a nine-time NBA all-star and two-time scoring champ. He’s healthy and he’s a gamer.
He’ll show up to play every night. Thanks to heel surgery and a ruptured Achilles tendon, Wall hasn’t played an NBA game since Dec. 2018.
With a backcourt of Westbrook and Beal, and second-year forward Rui Hachimura and veteran Davis Bertans in the frontcourt, Washington will be a handful for any team.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
