NBA odds: Donovan Mitchell traded to Cavs; latest title, MVP odds
Donovan Mitchell is on the move! After months of anticipation, the Utah Jazz finally traded the young superstar to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In exchange for moving Mitchell to The Land, the Jazz hauled in newly-signed Colin Sexton, rookie Ochai Agbaji and Lauri Markkanen in addition to three unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.
The blockbuster deal had an impact on the Cavs’ odds to win the 2023 NBA championship, which shortened all the way down from +10000 to +4000 at FOX Bet. Cleveland’s odds to win the Central Division also dropped from +750 to +330 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
And if you think the Spida will jam out now that he is in the city that is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his MVP chances are very favorable. Given the keys to a team that already boasted two 2021 All-Stars, Mitchell’s odds of taking home the trophy have remained steady at +6600 at FOX Bet.
On the other side of the spectrum, after having the best record in the league in the 2020-2021 season, the Utah Jazz are now near the bottom when it comes to title futures. Utah's odds of winning the chip lengthened from +10000 to +20000. Their reign as defending champions of the Northwest division also appears to be over, as they have the fourth-best odds in the division, only ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mitchell was drafted 13th overall in the 2017 draft by the Denver Nuggets and then immediately traded to the Jazz. He had tremendous success out the gate leading the Jazz to six straight playoff appearances. The team only had one appearance in the six years before his arrival.
However, after failing to advance past the second round, which was quickly followed by the resignation of head coach Quin Synder, Utah decided to blow it up by trading away Rudy Gobert. Now Mitchell is gone, too, as the team will rebuild with their treasure trove of draft picks.
During his Utah tenure, he averaged 23.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals on 44% shooting.
So with the title odds and divisional odds shifting, it is clear that the Cavs are going to be a factor in the East next season. While many expected Spida to end up on the Knicks, from a basketball perspective, this is a good landing spot for the young guard.
The starting lineup has three players from the 2022 All-Star game, and Evan Mobley is sure to make a strong case in his second year. Meanwhile, the second unit is filled with wily veterans that are known to be team-first guys that know how to win.
So are you ready to wager on the Cavs to win it all next year? Or for Donovan Mitchell to be the next NBA MVP? If so, head over to FOX Bet to get in on the action now!
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