Nets’ 2020 NBA Championship Odds Go From 24-1 to 18-1 Following Draft

• The Brooklyn Nets have +1800 odds to win the 2020 NBA Championship
• The Nets picked up a pair of quality prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft
• Brooklyn is expected to be a major player in free agency this summer 

The Brooklyn Nets are a team on the rise.

That “other” team from New York has seemingly been making all the right moves over the last couple of years, resulting most recently in the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2014-15.

This has basketball fans and Nets’ fans in particular wondering just how far they can go next season and even if a championship is a decent longshot bet.

2020 NBA Championship Odds

*Odds taken 06/21/19

Prior to Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Nets’ 2020 NBA Championship odds were at 24-1. After the draft, however, their odds surprisingly increased to 18-1.

Brooklyn Used Draft Capital to Create Cap Space

The Nets weren’t the most active team on draft day, compared to other teams, at least in terms of acquiring new players in the draft. Instead, the Nets traded both of their first round picks (the 17th to Atlanta and the 27th to Denver). Those moves allowed them to free up even more cap space, after trading away Allan Crabbe and his burdensome salary earlier in the spring. They also acquired solid prospects Nic Claxton and Jaylen Hands with cheaper more cap friendly second round picks.

Brooklyn has the room to sign two max 30% players but are $1.28M short of signing a 30% and 35% max. https://t.co/k9PTRHUTYu

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 21, 2019

The Nets have already been rumored to be the future destination for one Kyrie Irving, but that alone does not make the Nets a legitimate NBA Championship contender in 2020, just ask the Boston Celtics. However, many on the outside have opined that the Nets are clearing cap space in order to sign another big free agent to go along with Irving.

It has been reported that the Nets are high on Kevin Durant’s wish list, but even that would have no effect on the Nets’ 2020 title odds, since Durant will miss the entire 2019-20 season recovering from a ruptured Achilles. The only free agent signing that would make me confident enough to put some money on the Nets would be Kawhi Leonard, and that still seems like an even bigger longshot.

On ESPN’s The Jump, @WindhorstESPN says the Nets are “gaining confidence” that they’ll sign Kevin Durant.

Kendrick Perkins says the Nets are the front-runners to land KD.

Windy adds that Perkins is “not the only person involved in the NBA that has told me that.” pic.twitter.com/1svJgn5F6k

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 21, 2019

What’s the Best Bet to Make?

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, I’d take my chances on the Philadelphia 76ers (+1200).

Remember, the 76ers were one of the most talented teams in the NBA on paper last season, but it was tough to ask them to gel and develop great chemistry in less than a season. Still, they came within a legendary Leonard four-bounce-on-the-rim shot of beating the eventual NBA champions and potentially going on their own great championship run.

The 76ers look like a good bet to resign Jimmy Butler in free agency, and even if Tobias Harris signs elsewhere, as has been rumored, they have enough resources to fill out the roster. They could be an improved Ben Simmons jump shot away from a legitimate title run in 2020.

With Joel Embiid establishing himself as a dominant force, as long as the 76ers keep him surrounded by a strong supporting cast, they are a good bet to challenge for a championship.

Pick: Philadelphia 76ers (+1200)