Coronavirus (COVID-19) NBA Update – Mar. 18th Edition

Coronavirus (COVID-19) NBA Update – Mar. 18th Edition

The National Basketball Association continues it’s almost typical NBA season. Although the coronavirus has upset some teams, like the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics, most basketball squads haven’t had any issues. Check out an update on what’s top of mind right now, the NBA trade deadline, as well as how LeBron boosted Major League Baseball, and whether the New York Knicks can become an NBA Finals contender in a couple of years. Let’s get right to it so you can keep making your bets against their NBA odds.

NBA COVID-19 Update – March 18th Edition

2020-2021 NBA Season

  • When: Dec. 22, 2020 – May 16, 2021

2020-21 NBA Championship Odds

  • L.A. Lakers +250
  • L.A. Clippers +500
  • Milwaukee Bucks +750
  • Golden State Warriors +7000
  • Boston Celtics +3300
  • Brooklyn Nets +300
  • Miami Heat +3300
  • Toronto Raptors +3300
  • Denver Nuggets +2500
  • Houston Rockets +50000
  • Philadelphia 76ers +1500
  • Dallas Mavericks +4000
  • Portland Trail Blazers +6000
  • New Orleans Pelicans +8000
  • Utah Jazz +700
  • Phoenix Suns +2800
  • Oklahoma City Thunder +25000
  • Atlanta Hawks +10000
  • Chicago Bulls +25000
  • Indiana Pacers +5000
  • Memphis Grizzlies +12500
  • Washington Wizards +15000
  • Minnesota Timberwolves +100000
  • Orlando Magic +30000
  • Sacramento Kings +30000
  • San Antonio Spurs +6000
  • Cleveland Cavaliers +30000
  • Detroit Pistons +100000
  • New York Knicks +10000
  • Charlotte Hornets +20000

Kyle Lowry, Lonzo Ball, and Aaron Gordon lead trade rumors

We’ll start with Lonzo Ball because he’s just one of three players the Pelicans are trying to move. Eric Bledsoe and J.J. Reddick are the other two. 

Ball, if you’ve already forgotten, was supposed to be the next Magic Johnson. Lonzo has a funky shot, though, and he doesn’t have the vision that Magic had. So when the Lakers traded Ball, no fan got too upset. 

Now, the Pels want to unload Lonzo. Why? Understandably, New Orleans wants to build around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. They’ve got a decent group of young players and are likely to add a couple more either through trades or via the draft. 

The Toronto Raptors have a similar situation. Toronto wants to build a contender around Pascal Siakam. The only player with trade value is point-guard Kyle Lowry. The Raptors’ point-guard knows this. Not surprisingly, because Lowry is a true pro, he said no matter which team he ends up playing for, he’s going to “retire a Raptor.”

Aaron Gordon hasn’t lived up to the hype. Coming out of college, Gordon was supposed to be a Giannis-lite. Instead, he’s got the Antetokounmpo hops, but he doesn’t have the Ante shooting touch, vision as a passer, or rebounding skills.

The Magic have been awful since Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal left. That was many years ago. Starting from scratch, like what the Timberwolves appear to be doing, is the best move.   

LeBron becomes part owner of the Boston Red Sox

LeBron James, the King himself, has become a part owner of the Boston Red Sox. As soon as LeBron said he’ll become a part owner, the odds on the Red Sox to win the World Series dropped.

That could be coincidence. Boston has played lights out during spring training. But to be fair to LeBron, winners make winning moves. When Magic had a say in what the Lakers did, he pushed for LeBron to go to L.A.

The Lakers won the 2020 title because of LeBron. Hopefully, James has input. Everything LeBron does turns to gold. Other Red Sox owners could do well by listening to the King. 

Could the Knicks possibly make enough moves to become a title contender?

New York is sitting on $15.7 million to spend. They could decide to either go for a player and contend this season or plan for next season.

New York is a defense first team. The Knicks send the best defense in the NBA to the court. The chances of them making a trade for a top player this season is remote because they like four of their five starters, Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and Immanuel Quickley.

NYK could move on from Taj Gibson, Nerlens Noel, and Reggie Bullock. But they don’t have to mortgage the future to do so. Instead, they’ll wait until 2022, feel like a long time but it isn’t, and look to sign James Harden, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, or Kevin Durant, all of whom will be free agents next summer. 

 
 

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