Bucks 2024 NBA Finals odds: Updated odds after Lillard trade
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The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off the biggest move of the summer by acquiring All-NBA guard Damian Lillard in a three-team trade.
The Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers combined to swap players and picks to shake up the NBA landscape.
Game 1 of the 2023-24 NBA season tips off in a matter of weeks, and Milwaukee hoops fans and bettors have renewed reason to back their home-town Bucks this season.
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Updated Bucks NBA Finals odds: Bucks +360 to win 2024 NBA Finals after adding Damian Lillard
Milwaukee now owns the shortest odds at +360 to win the 2024 NBA championship, outpacing the reigning NBA Champion Denver Nuggets.
They're followed by the Celtics (+500), Suns (+550), Nuggets (+650) and Lakers (+1200).
The Bucks had to part with Jrue Holiday, a two-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive recipient, who was a vital piece on the Bucks’ 2021 NBA Finals-winning squad.
Oddsmakers and bettors, however, still like the new-look Bucks. After all, Lillard is a seven-time All-NBA player, who has averaged 30-plus PPG twice in his career.
It’s not just about Lillard’s raw offensive output. He is one of the game’s preeminent closers, and his game appears to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo’s quite nicely.
The Bucks certainly made themselves stronger -- in theory -- by adding Lillard. But that’s not the only part of the equation to consider from a betting perspective -- especially if you’re interested in betting on the Bucks to win the conference or division.
By acquiring Lillard, the Bucks weakened the Miami Heat, who were the presumptive favorites to land the seven-time All-Star.
2024 NBA Finals odds post-Damian Lillard trade to Bucks
A trade of this magnitude has a number of moving parts, and the Bucks are certainly not the only team coming out of the chaos with a new look.
The Phoenix Suns are still among the favorites to win it all (+550) on the shoulders of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, the game’s most lethal scoring trio.
Their depth and supporting cast still needed some work, and they addressed it as part of the three-team deal.
The Suns were able to turn disgruntled big-man Deandre Ayton into a package of players -- center Jusuf Nurkic, forward Nassir Little and guards Keon Johnson and Grayson Allen.
Putting the right combination of role players around their high-octane trio will be a season-long project, but they took a significant step in the right direction.
The move signals a complete reset for the Trail Blazers, who will turn the keys to the offense to rookie point guard Scoot Henderson while providing more opportunity for young guards Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe to shine.
Not to mention, a fresh start for Ayton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, may be just what he needs in order to take his career to the next level.
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Craig Williams is a Charlotte-based content creator for Catena Media, who focuses on betting content and analysis. He draws from his professional experience that spans the gaming, fantasy, and sports business industries. Craig is an avid fan of basketball, baseball, football, and soccer, though don’t try to pin him down on a favorite — the No. 1 spot is rented, not owned.
