Eddie House reacts to Malcolm Brogdon coming and what it means for Marcus Smart, particularly in crunch time minutes.
The Boston Celtics were two wins from an championship last season, and oddsmakers like the C's chances of getting back to the NBA Finals next season.
Free agency started Wednesday, and we've already seen a flurry of notable deals. But the most substantial transactions have happened on the trade market, which is where the Boston Celtics reportedly acquired point guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
Brogdon gives the Celtics additional scoring depth, excellent playmaking ability and quality outside shooting. The 29-year-old veteran can start or come off the bench as a sixth man.
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The Celtics also are likely to sign free agent forward Danilo Gallinari after he clears waivers later this month, per reports. Gallinari is another good outside shooter and should be able to chip in anywhere from 10 to 15 points per game in a bench role.
The reported additions of Brogdon and Gallinari have been viewed favorably by oddsmakers. The Celtics saw their 2023 title odds jump to +625 after Friday's moves.
Here are the updated 2023 NBA championship betting lines, via PointsBet.
- Golden State Warriors: +600
- Los Angeles Clippers: +600
- Phoenix Suns: +600
- Boston Celtics: +625
- Milwaukee Bucks: +650
- Miami Heat: +1000
- Philadelphia 76ers: +1200
- Los Angeles Lakers: +1600
- Dallas Mavericks: +2200
- Denver Nuggets: +2200
The Warriors being among the three favorites is no surprise. They are the defending champions and reportedly have agreed to to re-sign free agent center Kevon Looney. The Clippers should have a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George next season, and they've also been rumored as a potential destination for Kyrie Irving. The Suns lost in the 2021 NBA Finals and had the league's best record last season. They reportedly are Kevin Durant's preferred trade destination, too.
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But the Celtics as currently constructed are every bit as good, if not better, than those three teams. And the Celtics might not even be finished adding important pieces to their roster. They still have a $17.1 million traded player exception (TPE) to use.
Barring any significant injuries, the Celtics are well-equipped to make another deep playoff run in 2023 and be in a strong position to win the franchise's first title since 2008.