The Los Angeles Clippers are taking risky bets, Paul George is on base with a walk, and the Philadelphia 76ers are firmly on their way to an NBA championship in 2025.
76ers general manager Daryl Morey has once again convinced a superstar to move on from his current team, and the odds of Philadelphia winning the NBA Finals have risen from 16/1 to +800 at BetMGM.
George has helped the 76ers jump ahead of four teams to a tie for third in odds of winning the NBA Finals. The 76ers previously had the eighth-best odds in basketball history.
A BetMGM spokesperson told The Post that the 76ers are receiving a lot of backing in the market, drawing the second-highest amount of money at 15.4%.
The only team that received more money was the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have plenty of draft capital to build a championship contender team if a star player becomes available, and who just acquired Isaiah Hertenstein from the Knicks.
However, there is a shortage of players who can turn their assets into cash.
New York recently completed a trade to acquire star two-way wing Mikal Bridges, completing the “Nova Knicks” and reuniting Bridges with three of his former Villanova University teammates.
Following this deal, combined with the re-signing of defensive mainstay OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ odds to win the NBA championship increased from 18/1 to 10/1 to +750 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Then, the 76ers’ rise in the rankings led to a buyback, and New York dropped to +900.
2024-25 NBA Championship Odds
| team | NBA Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Celtics | +300 |
| Nuggets | +750 |
| 76ers | +800 |
| Thunder | +800 |
| Knicks | +900 |
| Timberwolves | +900 |
| Mavericks | +1100 |
| Bucks | +1300 |
George will help the 76ers try for an NBA title in what may be the last attempt for the team and star player Joel Embiid to win one.
Embiid has been with Philadelphia since being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.
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He starred alongside Ben Simmons until the guard’s spectacular exit.
After missing a free throw and being publicly berated by coach Doc Rivers, Simmons was traded to the Nets for disgruntled star James Harden.
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They were in line for a deep playoff spot in 2023, but lost to the Celtics in seven games despite leading 3-2.
When Harden again became unhappy with his situation, Morey was able to release Harden from his contract while still maintaining salary cap flexibility, which allowed the George deal to come through.
The 76ers also signed budding superstar Tyrese Maxey to a five-year contract extension.
