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NBA

East Free Agency Breakdown

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
14 minute read
Following an insane opening day to free agency, the NBA got a face lift. Keep track of who landed where in the West and how that is affecting the betting odds below. Click here for the Western Conference snapshot. All numbers are championship odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook:

Atlanta Hawks
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 100/1 | Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 200/1

Additions: F Jabari Parker, G/F Evan Turner, G Allen Crabbe, F Chandler Parsons, C Damian Jones

Losses: F Taurean Prince, F/C Dewayne Dedmon, G Kent Bazemore, F Omari Spellman, F/C Isaac Humphries, F Solomon Hill, C Miles Plumlee

Draft picks: F De’Andre Hunter, G/F Cam Reddish, F/C Bruno Fernando

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: G/F Vince Carter, G/F Justin Anderson, F Alex Poythress

Analysis: The Hawks enter the second season of their long-term vision on track, having picked up some assets in moving Prince to Brooklyn. They’ve got a lot of flexibility going forward but will continue with their youth movement, confident that point guard Trae Young and power forward John Collins are keepers and future All-Stars while hoping top picks Hunter and Reddish can develop similiarly. Atlanta will be hoping to sneak into the playoffs next season but isn’t going to deviate from its strategy of giving its young corps ample playing time to gain experience. A .500 season is therefore unlikely, but not out of the question.






Boston Celtics
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 25/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 25/1

Additions: G Kemba Walker, C Enes Kanter, C Vincent Poirier

Losses: G Kyrie Irving, C Al Horford, G Terry Rozier, C Aron Baynes, G R.J. Hunter, F Jonathan Gibson, G PJ Dozier

Draft picks: G/F Romeo Langford, F Grant Williams, G Carsen Edwards, G Tremont Waters

Retained free agents: C Daniel Theis, G Brad Wanamaker

Remaining free agents: None

Analysis: The atmosphere is going to be a lot different without Irving and Rozier going at each other and competing for playing time, but losing Horford’s influence on and off the court will be missed. Morris is also unlikely to return, so Brad Stevens is losing a few of his toughest competitors. Kanter becomes an x-factor if he’s able to continue to give the same spirited effort on the defensive end he came up with in Portland during its playoff run, since he and Theis should get the bulk of the minutes in the middle. Poirier, a native of France who was playing with Spain’s Baskonia and led the EuroLeague in rebounding, should also get his shot. Walker will have to mesh with his new teammates, who will all be thirsty to carve out larger roles in a revamped offense.

Brooklyn Nets
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 20/1< Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 40/1

Additions: F Kevin Durant, G Kyrie Irving, C DeAndre Jordan, F Taurean Prince, F Wilson Chandler, G Garrett Temple

Losses: G D’Angelo Russell, F/C Ed Davis, F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, F/G DeMarre Carroll, G/F Jared Dudley, G Allen Crabbe, G Treveon Graham, G Shabazz Napier

Draft picks: C Nicolas Claxton, G Jaylen Hands

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: F Theo Pinson

Analysis: This season will be Kyrie Irving’s opportunity to put his stamp on things, teaming with Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris and newcomer Taurean Prince to do the bulk of the scoring with Durant set to be sidelined all season. Brooklyn is set in the middle with Jordan joining Jarrett Allen to provide rim protection, ensuring the Nets will have an agile 7-footer to greet opponents at the rim at all times. If Rodions Kurucs can take a step forward, this group might be able to win their first playoff series since 2014.

Charlotte Hornets
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 200/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 1,000/1

Additions: G Terry Rozier

Losses: G Kemba Walker, G Jeremy Lamb, G Tony Parker, F Frank Kaminsky

Draft picks: F PJ Washington, F Jalen McDaniels, G/F Cody Martin

Retained free agents: F Marvin Williams, F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, C Bismack Biyombo

Remaining free agents: G Shelvin Mack

Analysis: Rozier will finally get to show what he can do in a permanent role as a full-time starter. The Hornets lost a star who hung around for nearly a decade, so there will undoubtedly be a different feel for this group. Not having Washington, a lottery pick, available for Summer League play isn’t a big blow but certainly isn’t ideal. Nicolas Batum should help the cause as a facilitator but head coach James Borrego will be looking for Malik Monk and Miles Bridges to make major strides in order to keep the Hornets from bringing up the rear in the NBA’s worst division.

Chicago Bulls
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 100/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 200/1

Additions: F Thaddeus Young, G Tomas Satoransky, F/C Luke Kornet

Losses: C Robin Lopez, G/F Wayne Selden

Draft picks: G Coby White, C Daniel Gafford

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: G Ryan Arcidiacano, G Shaquille Harrison, G/F Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Analysis: Kris Dunn and Zack LaVine will have better depth behind them with White and Satoransky on board, giving Boylen options if they’re struggling and an ability to light a fire under his starters. Young comes over from the Pacers to fill out a long, athletic backcourt alongside Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter and Wendell Carter. After losing 115 games over the past two seasons, the Bulls should be able to make a run at .500 and a playoff spot if they can stay healthy.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 200/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 1,000/1

Additions: None

Losses: None

Draft picks: G Darius Garland, G/F Dylan Windler, G/F Kevin Porter, Jr.

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: G/F David Nwaba, G Nik Stauskas, F Marquese Chriss

Analysis: The biggest additions are head coach John Beilein and No. 5 pick Garland, who barely played last season as a freshman at Vanderbilt due to an injury. How he and Collin Sexton co-exist will determine whether this upcoming season is a success far more than wins and losses will. If they can complement one another and defend reasonably well, Beilein will be able to work his magic and develop their talent, which is what he was brought in from Michigan to accomplish. Whether Kevin Love remains on the roster or winds up with a contender also figures to be a major story line.

Detroit Pistons
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 200/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 100/1

Additions: G Derrick Rose, F Markieff Morris, G/F Tony Snell, G Tim Frazier,

Losses: G Ish Smith, G Wayne Ellington, F/C Jon Leuer, F/G Glenn Robinson III

Draft picks: F/C Sekou Doumbouya, G Jordan Bone, F Deividas Sirvydis

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: G Jose Calderon, C Zaza Pachulia

Analysis: Dwane Casey made the playoffs in his first season but Blake Griffin’s injury contributed to a first-round sweep at the hands of the Bucks. This upcoming season’s roster will be far superior if all the veteran newcomers are able to stay healthy. Rose is the x-factor. The league’s youngest MVP will turn only 31in October and demonstrated an ability to take over games last season. If all goes as planned, he’ll likely be closing out games instead of Reggie Jackson. The prospect of having Snell and Stanley Johnson available to make life difficult for opposing wings has to be exciting for Casey, who preaches defense above all else.

Indiana Pacers
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 60/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 40/1

Additions: G Malcolm Brogdon, F T.J. Warren, G Jeremy Lamb, G T.J. McConnell

Losses: F Thaddeus Young, G/F Bojan Bogdanovic, G Darren Collison, G Tyreke Evans, G Cory Joseph, G/F Wesley Matthews, C/F Kyle O’Quinn

Draft picks: C Goga Bitadze

Retained free agents: G Edmond Sumner

Remaining free agents: None

Analysis: The Pacers quietly executed a roster overhaul, so the first few weeks of next season figure to be mighty interesting with Victor Oladipo expected back from a ruptured quad tendon at some point in the season’s first two months. He’ll have an equally adept two-way threat alongside him in Brogdon, a former Rookie of the Year who the team poached from division rival Milwaukee. Newcomers Lamb and McConnell will play significant roles alongside last year’s first-rounder, Aaron Holiday, in a new-look backcourt. Warren will likely get a lot of Young’s minutes and Bogdanovic’s shots, making his immersion critical since he can be a go-to scorer that the Pacers have lacked in the frontcourt since Paul George demanded a trade.

Miami Heat
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 200/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 50/1

Additions: F/G Jimmy Butler, F/C Meyers Leonard, G Kendrick Nunn

Losses: G Dwyane Wade, C Hassan Whiteside, G Josh Richardson, F Udonis Haslem

Draft picks: G Tyler Herro, F KZ Okpala

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: None

Analysis: It remains to be seen whether Pat Riley has more moves up his sleeve given the expiring contracts the Heat have to work with, but picking up the coveted Butler and only having to part with the talented Richardson and Whiteside, who the organization had soured on anyway, makes Miami one of the big winners in free agency. If Justise Winslow, Bam Adebayo and Derrick Jones, Jr. continue taking steps forward in their refinement, Erik Spoelstra can put an athletic defensive-minded group out on the floor to close out games alongside Goran Dragic, presuming he stays put.

Milwaukee Bucks
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 6/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 9/2

Additions: C Robin Lopez, G/F Wesley Matthews, F/C Jon Leuer

Losses: G Malcolm Brogdon, F Nikola Mirotic, G/F Tony Snell, G Tim Frazier

Draft picks: None

Retained free agents: G/F Khris Middleton, C Brook Lopez, G George Hill

Remaining free agents: Pau Gasol

Analysis: Losing Brogdon was a major blow and the bench doesn’t look as formidable with Mirotic returning to play in Europe and Snell joining a division rival, but Mike Budenholzer still has plenty of weapons. Keeping Hill and adding Matthews softens the blow of losing two standout defenders, while Leuer will try and help Ilyasova fill Mirotic’s shoes. The Bucks will go as far as Giannis Antetokounmpo will take them but are also counting on continued improvement from the likes of Pat Connaughton, Sterling Brown, DJ Wilson and Donte DiVincenzo in order to land the East’s best record for a second straight season.

New York Knicks
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 60/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 200/1

Additions: F/C Julius Randle, F Bobby Portis, F Taj Gibson, F Marcus Morris, Sr., G Elfrid Payton, G Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington

Losses: C DeAndre Jordan, F Noah Vonleh, G Emmanuel Mudiay, F Lance Thomas, G John Jenkins, F/C Luke Kornet

Draft picks: G R.J. Hunter, G/F Iggy Brazdeikis

Retained free agents: None

Remaining free agents: F Henry Ellenson

Analysis: New York had to audible from setting their sights on signing a pair of superstars to maintaining cap flexibility in order to take another big swing at signing a max-contract franchise player in 2021. Randle got the biggest payday and will be counted on to be the focal point of the offense to make life easier for lottery picks Barrett, Kevin Knox and last season’s top midseason acquisition Dennis Smith, Jr. Portis and Gibson play hard and put up numbers, so New York should get more production up front than it did last season. If Mitchell Robinson can build on an impressive rookie season, the Knicks will have a strong frontcourt and look to have enough depth to claw out of the Atlantic Division basement and realistically compete for a playoff spot.

Orlando Magic
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 100/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 100/1

Additions: F Al-Farouq Aminu

Losses: G Jerian Grant, F Jarell Martin, G Troy Caupain, C Timofey Mozgov

Draft picks: F Chuma Okeke

Retained free agents: C Nikola Vucevic, G Terrence Ross, F Wes Iwundu, G Michael Carter-Williams, F Amile Jefferson

Remaining free agents: F/C Khem Birch

Analysis: The Magic haven’t addressed upgrading their point guard situation and still have no idea when Markelle Fultz will be ready to compete for the job, so D.J. Augustin and Carter-Williams will be tasked with that role again. We’ll see whether inefficient offense trips them up again late in games. Orlando did re-sign its most useful free agents, preserving continuity. The Magic will have their sights on a second consecutive Southeast Division title but my opinion is they’ll need Fultz to have his breakthrough and start paying dividends if they’re going to hold off the improved Heat.

Philadelphia 76ers
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 12/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 8/1

Additions: F/C Al Horford, G/F Josh Richardson, C Kyle O’Quinn. G Raul Neto

Losses: F Jimmy Butler, G JJ Redick, G T.J. McConnell, C Boban Marjanovic

Draft picks: G Matisse Thybulle, G Marial Shayok

Retained free agents: F Tobias Harris, G/F James Ennis, F Mike Scott

Remaining free agents: G/F Furkan Korkmaz, C Greg Monroe, C Amir Johnson

Analysis: The 76ers were prepared to give Butler a maximum deal but recovered nicely when he informed them that he preferred South Florida. In securing Horford’s services, they picked up one of the rivals who most frustrated Joel Embiid and made him an ally. Richardson will play a huge role defending opposing point guards while needing to provide punch from the perimeter given the loss of Redick. Philadelphia should be formidable on both ends of the floor due to its size and athleticism but will need shooting to compete for a title, which means they’re going to need to acquire a proven sniper at some point before or during the season.

Toronto Raptors
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 8/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 80/1

Additions: G Matt Thomas

Losses: F Kawhi Leonard, G Danny Green

Draft picks: C Dewan Hernandez

Retained free agents: C Marc Gasol,

Remaining free agents: G/F Patrick McCaw, G Jodie Meeks, F Eric Moreland

Analysis: The holding pattern for the defending champions continues. Leonard’s return to Toronto after visiting with the Lakers and Clippers prior to July 4 created some line shifting on the Raptors’ 2020-21 title odds, so you can expect they would leapfrog the Lakers and Bucks as the favorite if they manage to hang on to the Finals MVP. Gasol accepted his player option, so Toronto will still have a stacked frontcourt even if they lose the game’s best two-way player, but would have to land a more efficient wing scorer if they lose Leonard to L.A. and are forced to retool in their bid to repeat.

Washington Wizards
Pre-free agency '19-'20 odds: 200/1 Post-July 1 '19-'20 odds (updated 7/11): 1000/1

Additions: G Isaiah Thomas, F Davis Bertans, G CJ Miles, G/F Jonathon Simmons, F Moritz Wagner, F Jemerrio Jones, C Isaac Bonga

Losses: F Jabari Parker, C Dwight Howard, F Bobby Portis, F Trevor Ariza, F Jeff Green, G Tomas Satoransky

Draft picks: F Rui Hachimura, F Admiral Schofield

Retained free agents: C Thomas Bryant

Remaining free agents: G Chasson Randle, F Sam Dekker

Analysis: John Wall will likely miss the entire season in order to cautiously return from an Achilles tear that he’ll look to keep from destroying his career, so this group is likely headed for a season where Scott Brooks will give their young players a long look and plenty of time to gain experience. Look for the losses to pile up and the trade rumors surrounding Bradley Beal to follow the team around like a dark cloud.


Follow Tony Mejia on Twitter at @TonyMejiaNBA or e-mail him at mejia@vegasinsider.com

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