How Did Kawhi Leonard Trade Change Raptors Betting Odds?

The Toronto Raptors’ trade for Kawhi Leonard has had a seismic impact on the basketball betting markets at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

How Did the Kawhi Trade Change NBA Odds?

Toronto was +12500 to win the NBA Finals and +3000 to win the Eastern Conference before trading for Leonard. In the aftermath of the trade, the odds dropped to +2200 and +800 , respectively. 

At one point, 45% of bets to win the Eastern Conference were on the Raptors. 

What are the Raptors’ Chances of Winning the Championship?

The New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers have shorter title odds than the Raptors on July 8. 

The Spurs and Thunder enter the season as the two title favourites, with the Knicks the clear favourite in the Eastern Conference. There’s not much to choose between the rest of the East’s chasing pack, with Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, and Toronto all in contention.

Being able to play Leonard alongside Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley gives the Raptors a legitimate chance of a deep playoff run. When healthy, Leonard remains one of the 10 best players in the NBA, and he’s coming off an excellent season with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Toronto’s defence is going to be elite. The offence has received a major upgrade with Leonard replacing Brandon Ingram. I don’t see the Raptors as the favourites in the East as it stands, but I’d have them ahead of the Sixers, Celtics, and Cavaliers. Boston has a lot to work out after the Jaylen Brown trade, Joel Embiid’s health creates major uncertainty for Philadelphia, and Cleveland has repeatedly disappointed in the playoffs.

The Raptors’ upside with Leonard is much higher than it was when they were eliminated from the playoffs. It was a trade that was ultimately too good to turn down in the short term.