We’re taking a look at how opinions and the odds have changed after the deadline.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cleveland Cavaliers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The NBA landscape is much different now than it was a few weeks ago. There was no shortage of impactful moves around the league this trade deadline, including the Cavaliers trading for De’Andre Hunter to bolster their wing depth.
That move seems to have helped influence how the Cavs are perceived.
The survey has the Cavs tied for the third-best chances to win the NBA Finals alongside the Los Angeles Lakers.
This place for the Cavs is in line with how our friends at FanDuel see things. Right now, they have the Cavs as the third-best odds to win the NBA Finals at +850. That’s behind only the Boston Celtics, +195, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, +230.
The teams directly behind the Cavs right now are the New York Knicks, +1300, and the Denver Nuggets, +1400, and the Lakers, +1900.
The Lakers’ jump in the odds and their perception is a result of trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. It’s a move that a large portion of NBA fans think the Dallas Mavericks didn’t get enough in return for.
The San Antonio Spurs also made a big move by acquiring De’Aaron Fox. That’s a trade that a majority of NBA fans think will help them win a title within the next five years.
Unsurprisingly, the Lakers grabbing Luka and the Spurs trading for Fox were perceived as the most impactful moves this trade deadline.
What are your thoughts on the survey results? Do you think people are overvaluing some of the deadline deals?
Be sure to head over to FanDuel to see the full odds for NBA futures bets.