SI Fantasy & Gambling's 2020-2021 NBA Offseason Blog
Welcome to Sports Illustrated's Fantasy and Gambling NBA offseason primer!
This is where I will update all the offseason moves, transactions and updates from a fantasy and betting perspective to get you prepared for the upcoming 2021 season.
Lock in early NBA Futures prices at DraftKings Sportsbook!
Saturday, November 21st, 2020
Report: The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a deal with reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell. the Lakers already the betting favorite to win the NBA title, this move makes them even stronger.
Report: The Houston Rockets and Christian Wood have reached an agreement via sign and trade with the Detroit Pistons. Wood became a DFS star last season averaging 13.1 points and 6.3 boards per game in just over 21 minutes. Now he will really get a chance to excel.
Dwight Howard will reportedly sign a one year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia is a team I will be placing an Eastern Conference futures bet on at +1000 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Danilo Gallinari is signing a three-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, The Hawks are trying to be a player in the Eastern Conference this season after finishing with the second worst record in the league at 20-47.
Joe Harris will be rejoining his teammates in Brooklyn. The Nets are rumored to be a suitor for James Harden, so we'll see what role Harris may hold if they end up acquiring him.
Report: Davis Bertans has agreed to a five-year contract with the Washington Wizards, Bertans didn't join the Wizards in the bubble, as he had his eyes on this big payday. Bertans had a career year in Washington last season.
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a four-year deal with Marcus Morris, The Clippers are +550 to win the NBA title via the DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing Wes Matthews to a one year deal. The Lakers' depth is impressive.
The Detroit Pistons have agreed to a three-year deal with Jerami Grant with over $60 million over three years. Detroit has a lot of work to do to once again be relevant in the East.
The Utah Jazz have agreed to a deal with Derrick Favors, they also resigned Jordan Clarkson, Clarkson gave the Jazz good minutes in the bubble.
Reports: Michael Carter-Williams will re-sign with the Orlando Magic. Orlando was 36-35-2 ATS last season.
Goran Dragic and Meyers Leonard will run it back with the Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat.
De'Aaron Fox signs max extension with the Sacramento Kings, Sacramento showed flashes at times last season, it will be interesting to see how their roster develops.
Thursday, November 19th, 2020
LaMelo Ball opens up as 2020-2021 ROY Favorite via DraftKings Sportsbook
With the third pick of last night's NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets selected PG LaMelo Ball, Ball opens up today as the Rookie of the Year Favorite at +400, Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards was the top overall pick and his ROY odds are +450. New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin and Golden State Warriors James Wiseman are both listed at +600.
Reports: Klay Thompson Suffers Achilles Tear; Will miss the 2020-2021 Season
Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson will miss his second straight season after suffering an Achilles injury during a pick-up game. The Warriors selected Memphis Center James Wiseman with the second pick of last night's NBA Draft.
Reports: Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons Make a Post Draft Deal
The Atlanta Hawks are sending center Dewayne Dedmon to the Detroit Pistons for Khyri Thomas and Tony Snell.
Wednesday, November 18th, 2020
Al Horford Heads to OKC, Thunder Get Even More Draft Picks
New GM Daryl Morey is getting busy in his first year in Philadelphia; unloading Al Horford's massive contract off the books to the Thunder.
NBA Draft Betting Preview
SI's Roy Larking and I put together a betting breakdown ahead of today's NBA Draft, including a play at No. 1 overall that I think offers tremendous value.
Post Draft Report
SI's Jeremy Woo put together his final reaction to this year's NBA Draft.
Coaching Changes
Brooklyn Nets - Hall of Famer Steve Nash gets his first head coaching gig with the super talented Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn is built to make a deep run, and Nash gets one of the top rosters in the Eastern Conference. Currently, Brooklyn has +600 odds to win the 2020 NBA title via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Chicago Bulls - The Bulls hired former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan to take over for their franchise. The Bulls finished the 2019 season 29-34-2 against the spread (ATS).
Cleveland Cavaliers - J.B. Bickerstaff took over as the Cavs head coach at the All-Star break, before the season came to an end he coached the Cavs to a 5-6 record.
Houston Rockets - The Rockets hired Stephen Silas to replace Mike D'Antoni on October 30, 2020. With James Harden and Russell Westbrook on the trading block, and after the Robert Covington deal to Portland, the Rockets will be going in a new direction this upcoming season.
Indiana Pacers - The Pacers hired Toronto Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren to be their new head coach after firing Nate McMillian.
Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers and Doc Rivers went their separate ways after seven seasons, the Clippers hired Tyronn Lue to replace Rivers after a disappointing end to the 2019 season.
New Orleans Pelicans - The Pelicans lured Stan Van Gundy back to the sidelines after letting go of Alvin Gentry. Van Gundy will inherit a roster with good young talent led by last year's top pick Zion Williamson.
New York Knicks - Tom Thibodeau will now try his hand at turning around the New York Knicks. The Knicks were 35-30-1 ATS last season.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Mark Daigneault will move from assistant coach to head coach after the Thunder parted ways with Billy Donovan after five seasons.
Philadelphia 76ers- Doc Rivers returns to the Eastern Conference to lead Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and a 76ers club filled with talent but have underachieved in the postseason. The Sixers have +1200 odds to win the Eastern Conference in 2021 via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Trades and Free Agency
The Houston Rockets trade Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers for Trevor Ariza, their 2020 first-round pick (16th), and a protected 2021 pick.
The Milwaukee Bucks trade Donte Divincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova, and D.J. Wilson to the Sacramento Kings for Bogdan Bogdanovic and Justin James.
UPDATE: The trade for Bogdanovic has fallen through and he is now a restricted free agent.
The Milwaukee Bucks trade Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three future first-round picks, and two additional drafts pick swamps to the New Orleans Pelicans for Jrue Holiday.
The Phoenix Suns traded Kelly Oubre, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, and a 2020 first-round draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Chris Paul and Abdel Nader.
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 28th pick in the 2020 NBS Draft.
The Detroit Pistons trade Bruce Brown to the Brooklyn Nets for Dzanan Musa and a 2021 second-round pick.
DraftKings Sportsbook NBA Futures Odds
For the latest NBA Futures odds for the upcoming 2021 season, visit DraftKings Sportsbook HERE.
