Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2020 NBA Championship Odds Listed at 50-1 After Trading Paul George
- The odds of the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the 2019-20 NBA championship went from an average of +2800 to +5000 after Friday’s trade that sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers
- Now there is speculation that the Thunder will deal Russell Westbook as well
- Oklahoma City last played in the NBA Finals in 2011-12, losing in six games to the Miami Heat
The teardown is underway inside the locker room of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Paul George was traded on Friday the Los Angeles Clippers to be used as the bait to lure 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers.
Now, it appears that point guard Russell Westbrook may also be on the trading block.
All of this upheaval hasn’t done much good for the Thunder’s chances of winning the 2019-20 NBA title. Since George’s departure, Oklahoma City’s average NBA Championship odds across a number of the leading sportsbooks spiked from +2800 to +5000.
2020 NBA Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +300 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +400 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +500 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +800 |
| Houston Rockets | +1400 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1400 |
| Denver Nuggets | +1600 |
| Utah Jazz | +1600 |
| Boston Cetlics | +2000 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +2000 |
| Toronto Raptors | +2000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +5000 |
*Odds taken July 6.
Oklahoma City hasn’t played in the NBA Finals since losing a six-game series to the Miami Heat in 2011-12.
Thunder and Frightening
With the Kawhi sweepstakes dominating the news cycle, it’s easy to overlook just how talented George is, and how much of a gaping hole his departure puts into the Oklahoma City lineup.
George is what you call and all-arounder. He was a 2018-19 finalist for both the MVP of the NBA and the league’s defensive player of the year.
And no wonder. Last season, George, 29, posted career-high averages of 28 points and 8.2 rebounds. He snared a league-leading 2.2 steals. George matched a career best by averaging 4.1 assists.
Will Oklahoma City Russ-Sell as Well?
The day wasn’t done and the scope of the dramatic alteration of the Thunder’s immediate future prospects over the departure of George was still being comprehended when news began to surface that point guard Russell Westbrook may also be on the trading block.
Detroit Pistons are interested in acquiring PG Russell Westbrook and the package that was said to be sent is Reggie Jackson, Tony Snell & 2 first round draft picks (2021 top-5 protected and 2023 unprotected), per league sources #NBASummer
— Mohamed Haji (@MohamedHajiNBA) July 6, 2019
ESPN reported that Westbrook and Thunder GM Sam Presti were already in discussions regarding Westbrook’s future with the team and whether a trade might be in the best interests of both parties.
Rumors circulated that both the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves might have interest in a Westbrook deal.
Launch the Rebuild
The best bet for Oklahoma City is to blow the whole thing up. Even with George and Westbrook running the show, the Thunder have exited from the first round of the playoffs three years running. Last season, they were dispatched in five games by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Looking ahead to 2019-20, it’s logical to pencil in the the Clippers, Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets as likely Western Conference playoff teams. You’d have to think a Los Angeles Lakers squad that’s added Anthony Davis to LeBron James should be a postseason club.
Don't be surprised if the Thunder trade Russell Westbrook. A number of NBA executives believe it's a possibility. Oklahoma City could decide to blow up their roster and completely rebuild.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 6, 2019
That doesn’t leave much room for Oklahoma City to Thunder their way into the playoffs. Their future, all of a sudden, is not now.
There is the start of a rebuild in place with Steven Adams and the package they got for George – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick and two pick swaps.
BREAKING: Oklahoma City is trading Paul George to the Clippers, league sources tell ESPN.
?Thunder receive:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Danilo Galllinari
Massive package of future picks?Clippers receive:
Paul George pic.twitter.com/d9zGBix4tj— Los Angeles Lakers (@NBALakersReport) July 6, 2019
A tear down is the route they must go.
Don’t even think about betting on Oklahoma City. Lightning isn’t going to strike for the Thunder.
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.
