NBA title futures: Post-trade deadline review

The NBA trade deadline has now passed, with Ben Simmons and James Harden trading places. Now the question is whether any of the moves teams made Thursday will make any difference in the next NBA champion.

The short answer is probably not, but let's look at the top of the NBA futures markets and see where it might be good to invest right now. 

Brooklyn Nets +420

I truly don't understand the fascination with Brooklyn being the best bet to win it all. In Kevin Durant, you have an elite player for sure but one who has proven he needs other elite players around him. He is not LeBron James. Oh, and he is injury-prone. Next, you have Kyrie Irving, who might not be able to play in half of the team's playoff games. Now you add Ben Simmons, a useful player, but one who has shown no real interest in improving nor an ability to handle pressure or scrutiny. I actually think the additions of big man Andre Drummond and shooter Seth Curry, two specialists, are going to prove to be more valuable. Three-point shooting and rebounding always play, and they can get the Nets out of their current funk sooner. 

I would definitely not be investing in Brooklyn right now. 

Golden State Warriors +460

For the first 20 games or so, the Warriors were the best team in the NBA. They did not make a move to improve at the deadline, as their concern is primarily health right now, not talent. Draymond Green is out until March, and Klay Thompson is not yet what he once was. If the playoffs start and both of those guys are in the right form, then the Warriors are going to be a tough out. They probably are a good candidate to pick up someone on the buyout market. They could use a big body inside who can rebound and patrol the paint some. 

Now is not the time to invest in Golden State either. I don't think the price is going to change much. 

Phoenix Suns +500

The Suns made a minor move bringing back forward Torrey Craig in exchange for center Jalen Smith. Craig is a player who knows their program and expectations and is more versatile than Smith defensively — plus he can make an outside shot. Phoenix was in the Finals last season and looks great to get there again. Cener Deandre Ayton is injury-prone, but this is a talented team with players that know their roles and fill them well. Chris Paul and Devin Booker are probably the best backcourt in the league too.  I am not sure how the Suns are third in odds right now other than there is not much sizzle to their story. They just beat you.

We are already past the midseason point so your money is not being tied up for nearly as long. This is better value play than the two teams above that have way more question marks. 

Milwaukee Bucks +600

Pat Connaughton got hurt Thursday night, and it is not clear yet just how serious that injury is. If he makes it back in time for the playoffs, the Bucks are going to be just fine. However, he was in their top seven, and they might not have made the move they made to grab some frontcourt depth if they knew they were losing him. Milwaukee acquired Serge Ibaka to be the backup center. I am not sure how much he has left in the tank, but I love the move in theory. He has been on winning teams, is a great teammate, plays with size and can make an outside shot. With Brook Lopez still a question mark, it was the kind of move to make.

Connaughton's health is a factor, but the Bucks still look great to potentially repeat as champs. Guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are going to be hard outs when it matters. Definitely be willing to grab a piece of Milwaukee right now. Similar to the Suns, the Bucks have more answers than a lot of teams. 

Philadelphia 76ers +650

Trades are tough in the NBA, especially when really talented players are involved. I love that Philly finally rid itself of Simmons, but I am not sure the 76ers are that much further ahead to win a title this season. I think they are going to really miss Curry and Drummond. Embiid never has the best record with his health, and Drummond's presence meant they could reduce his load some. Harden is the ultimate wild card in all of this. There is no doubt he is talented, but his playoff track record is iffy — and efficiency has never been his thing. He bristles when he is not the top option, and he definitely won't be in Philly. 

I would wait and see on this one. If it looks like Harden is working out with Embiid, you can buy in later. You won't lose much value. 

Sleeper Note

One final thought on the NBA futures market right now. You can get the Memphis Grizzlies at +3000. Of course, they do not have the recent playoff experience of the teams listed above, but they have proven they are going to be in the field and are likely going to host a first-round series. The talent is there, and maybe they are just like the Bengals, a young team that takes it one game at a time and doesn't know they shouldn't be this good.