The Phoenix Suns pulled off the biggest deal of the trade deadline season in the NBA, landing Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets just after 1 a.m. ET Thursday. The Suns have been pursuing Durant for some time now and after the Nets dealt Kyrie Irving, it felt like they could also move Durant. The Suns pounced on the opportunity and will now look to make it back to the NBA Finals.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Suns were +1800 to win the NBA title prior to the Durant trade. Now, they are listed at +425 and second only to the Boston Celtics. The Suns are the favorites to win the West at +230, leapfrogging the Denver Nuggets. They were +800 to win the West prior to adding Durant.
The Nets, on the other hand, have essentially disappeared from contention. Brooklyn was among the title hopefuls despite dealing Irving, but now it is likely going to be in the play-in picture or worse without Durant. The Nets are now +8000 to win it all. That’s down from +600 when the team still had Durant and Irving, and down from +1800 after Irving’s trade. Brooklyn was +300 to win the East with both starts. It dropped to +800 after dealing Irving and +3500 after sending Durant out.
It’s worth noting Durant is still recovering from a sprained MCL. He had this injury last season at around the same time and is expected to be out through the All-Star break and potentially longer. Assuming he comes back and is 100%, the Suns have a tremendous chance to make good on these improved title odds.