Pacers’ 2020 NBA Championship Odds Improve to +3300 after Signing Malcolm Brogdon

• The Pacers’ 2020 NBA Championship odds have been shortened to +3300 after acquiring Malcolm Brogdon
• Brogdon is an efficient scorer who will help shoulder the offensive load while Victor Oladipo is out
• Are the Pacers now a good bet to win the NBA title?

Malcolm Brogdon to the Pacers isn’t the flashiest move of the NBA offseason so far, but it gives Indiana another bona fide scorer to help shoulder the offensive load until Victor Oladipo returns from injury.

Indiana is trading a first-round and two future second round picks to the Milwaukee for Malcolm Brogdon, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019

Brogdon’s addition has made a major impact on the Pacers’ NBA Championship odds, as Indiana’s price has been shortened from +4700 to +3300.

2020 NBA Championship Odds

*Odds taken 07/01/19

They have the fifth shortest odds in the Eastern Conference, but can Brogdon’s arrival not only help the Pacers win their first playoff series since 2014, but actually compete for a title?

Brogdon’s Efficiency is Underrated

The 2017 Rookie of the Year is fresh off a season that few others in NBA history have replicated. He’s one of only 10 players ever to play 1,000 minutes and post a shooting percentage above 50% (50.5%), a three point percentage above 40% (42.6%) and a free throw percentage above 90% (92.8%).

.@RobMahoney on how losing Malcolm Brogdon impacts the Bucks pic.twitter.com/zTbH7ZVCUX

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 1, 2019

He’s an ideal complimentary piece to Oladipo, once the Pacers star returns, because he isn’t a ball dominant guard and he’s an excellent catch and shoot threat.

The price tag is significant, but this is an Indiana squad that has been bounced from the playoffs in the first round four years straight. A big splash was necessary if they’re ever going to seriously contend in the East, but even with the addition of Brogdon, the Pacers’ roster still feels underwhelming.

Indiana is a Tier Below the Top Teams in the East

A potential starting five of Brogdon, Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, TJ Warren and Myles Turner is solid, but it’s nowhere near as imposing as the Raptors, if they bring back Kawhi, or the Bucks, Sixers, or Celtics as they currently stand.

A look at the core of the Indiana Pacers.

Malcolm Brogdon
Victor Oladipo
TJ Warren
Domantas Sabonis
Myles Turner
Jeremy Lamb

???

— Casey Jones (@___caseyjones) June 30, 2019

All the major players in the East have upgraded their rosters this week, minus the Raptors, and while Brogdon is a nice piece, it’s hard to imagine he’ll have the same type of impact on Indiana as Kemba Walker will in Boston, or Al Horford will in Philly.

Pass on the Pacers

Ultimately there’s too much talent in the East to warrant betting the Pacers, especially since we don’t know how Oladipo will respond coming off his leg injury. They’re definitely a playoff team, but they’re a tier below Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Boston, and if Kawhi returns to Toronto, they’re even further behind the reigning champs.