The oddsmakers have reacted strongly and decisively following the Phoenix Suns’ blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant.
Despite a current record of only 30-26, the Suns are the new favorites to win the Western Conference at +225 odds. The Denver Nuggets have the best record in the West by 4.5 games but trail Phoenix with +350 odds to win the West.
Here are the top eight teams to win the Western Conference. Lines as of February 9, via BetMGM:
- Suns +225
- Nuggets +350
- Clippers +600
- Warriors +750
- Grizzlies +750
- Mavericks +800
- Pelicans +1600
- Lakers +2500
The addition of Durant gives the Suns one of the most dynamic quartets in the NBA, as he joins Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul as the team’s headliners.
Phoenix’s depth took a hit as Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson were sent to Brooklyn in the deal, but Durant’s high-end presence more than makes up for it. Durant has missed a substantial chunk of time due to a knee injury but is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season while shooting a sparkling 55.9% from the field.
The Suns have the second-best odds to win the NBA championship following the trade. Phoenix has odds of +450 at BetMGM, which trails only the Boston Celtics, who sit with +350 odds as they currently boast the best record in the NBA.
Phoenix made it to the NBA Finals two seasons ago but fell to the Milwaukee Bucks. They had the best regular season record in the NBA last year but were upset in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Dallas Mavericks.
Here are the 10 teams with the best odds to win the 2022-23 NBA championship, per BetMGM on February 9:
- Celtics +350
- Suns +450
- Bucks +550
- Nuggets +700
- Clippers +1100
- 76ers +1200
- Warriors +1400
- Mavericks +1600
- Cavaliers +2000
- Lakers +2800
The Suns have had some fantastic teams in their history, highlighted by the Charles Barkley-led group in the 1990s and the Steve Nash-led Seven Seconds or Less outfit in the 2000s.
This iteration was close to a championship the past two years but injuries had lengthened the odds this season. However, the addition of Durant has resulted in a huge surge, as Phoenix was as long as 20/1 to win the championship before the trade.
New owner Mat Ishbia made a bold move just a couple of days into his tenure, and now the Suns will try to capitalize on it with the first championship in their history.
