Bucks Odds to Win Eastern Conference Shorten to +275 After Trading for P.J. Tucker From Rockets
- The acquisition of P.J. Tucker for the playoff run has shortened the Milwaukee Bucks’ odds to win the East
- Tucker was a highly sought after trade target, drawing interest from nearly every championship calibre contender
- Read below for analysis of the trade, and whether or not the addition makes Milwaukee a strong bet to win the conference
The Milwaukee Bucks handed the Philadelphia 76ers a pair of defeats on Wednesday, on the scoreboard and more importantly in the trade market. Milwaukee acquired P.J. Tucker from Houston, scooping up a valuable commodity that nearly every championship contender was in the running for.
2021 Eastern Conference Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | +125 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +275 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +550 |
| Boston Celtics | +1200 |
| Miami Heat | +1200 |
Odds taken March 17th at DraftKings.
The addition of Tucker to an already stacked Bucks roster prompted online sportsbooks to take action. They’ve lowered Milwaukee’s Eastern Conference odds from +290 to +275, which is twice as short as the odds for the 76ers. The Bucks trail Philadelphia and Brooklyn by 1.5 games in the East, and have the second shortest price to win the conference, behind only the Nets.
Tucker’s Value Goes Beyond the Boxscore
Tucker certainly wasn’t cheap, but most experts agree he’s exactly the type of player Milwaukee needs. The Bucks coughed up DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson and a 2023 unprotected first-round pick for Tucker, while also receiving Rodions Kurucs and their 2022 first-round pick back from the Rockets in return.
Bucks were persistent in pursuit of PJ Tucker, and GM's Jon Horst and Rafael Stone closed on deal this evening. Redirecting draft picks they had exchanged in previous deal was key in getting trade done. Bucks expect a rejuvenated Tucker in contract year to help make run in East.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 17, 2021
Tucker, an expiring free agent, averaged just 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds this season with Houston, but his value goes well beyond points, rebounds and assists. He’s a plus-defender, capable of guarding four positions, and can knock down corner threes when the floor is spaced right
According to Second Spectrum, PJ Tucker has made 372 corner 3-pointers over the last 5 seasons, by far the most in the NBA during that span. https://t.co/cPgvXkxVOq
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 17, 2021
Given the elite talent Milwaukee already possesses, there should be no shortage of open looks for Tucker. Giannis Antetokounmpo is routinely doubled, and teams simply cannot afford to leave Khris Middleton, Jrue Holliday or even someone like Brook Lopez wide open.
More importantly however, is the grit and playoff experience Tucker brings. He has 50 career postseason games under his belt, and is comfortable starting or coming off the bench. He’s tough, physical and will not back down from anybody. If and when the Bucks meet up with the Nets in the playoffs they’re going to need somebody to do the dirty work and Tucker can fill that void. He’ll be in the face of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving all game long and that kind of aggressiveness can slow down an elite scorer.
Bucks Worth Backing At +275
The most underrated aspect of this trade is that it keeps Tucker away from Brooklyn and Philadelphia, two teams that were heavily pursuing him. Of course, they both have another week to make a move before the trade deadline, but players with Tucker’s unique skillset don’t grow on trees.
The Bucks put themselves in a hole with the unraveling of their would-be deal for Bogdan Bogdanovic … but swinging a trade today for PJ Tucker to add Tucker’s veteran know-how to what Jrue Holiday brings is a good response.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 17, 2021
Milwaukee was already well equipped to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the East, but the addition of Tucker combined with the offseason moves to bring in Holiday and Bobby Portis give them an entirely new identity than in previous postseasons. At +275 to win the East, they’re a much better bet than the Nets and a team worth investing in.
Pick: Milwaukee Bucks to Win Eastern Conference (+275)
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
