Durant, Irving, Jordan Sign With Nets; Brooklyn’s 2020 NBA Championship Odds Now +1600

• The Brooklyn Nets have signed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan
• The Nets’ odds to win the 2020 NBA Championship shortened from +1800 to +1600
• Durant is expected to miss the entire 2020 season

The Brooklyn Nets made a splash on Sunday night when they signed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan at the start of free agency. Although Durant might miss the next season recovering from his Achilles injury, the Nets have set themselves up to contend for years to come. Are they a good bet to win in 2020, though?

2020 NBA Championship Odds

*Odds taken 07/01/19

Nets Acquire Irving, Durant, and Jordan

It was a huge night for the Nets, who changed the course of their franchise by luring two superstars and a very good foundational piece. Irving was long rumored to go there, but Durant was the bigger surprise as it was rumored that the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and New York Knicks were in the mix.

At last check, their NBA Championship odds were at +1800. They’ve now shortened to +1600 as a result of their big acquisitions.

Nets Not a Good Bet for 2020

The reality is that Durant is likely to miss the entire 2019-20 season, so it’s hard to bet on the Nets being a contender next season. There is some speculation that if they make it to the second round of the playoffs, he could possibly return, but that appears to be uneducated rumors. Most medical experts have stated that he’s done for the season.

Without Durant, we’re looking at a roster that includes Irving, Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jordan, Taurean Prince, Jarrett Allen, and Garrett Temple. That’s good enough to be a playoff team in the East, but it’s Durant who puts them over the top. With him, this roster is as good as anyone in the East. Without him, they’d be lucky to win a round in the playoffs.

76ers the Best Bet, Raptors Too if They Keep Leonard

While the West looks like it will be a slaughterhouse with so many contenders, the East should be easier.

As of this moment, we don’t know what Kawhi Leonard’s situation is. If he returns, I like the Raptors to win the NBA Championship next season because they’ll be a strong unit. They’ll be one of the top defensive teams, their young corps will be a year older and better, and they’ll be adding OG Anunoby to the mix.

The Sixers lost JJ Redick, but rebounded by adding Al Horford and Josh Richardson.

However, if Leonard leaves, I see some value with the 76ers. They removed the toxic Jimmy Butler from the equation and lost JJ Redick, but rebounded by adding Al Horford and Josh Richardson. Richardson is underrated and Horford gives this team a very useful veteran who can bring the team together unlike Butler, who was a good player, but had an ego.

The 76ers were a shot away from beating the eventual NBA champs. They’ve retooled masterfully and look like the team to beat in the East right now – especially after the Milwaukee Bucks lost a couple of key pieces in Nikola Mirotic and Malcom Brogdon. I’d bet the 76ers.

Pick: Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)