The Milwaukee Bucks are the new betting favorites to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2024. After acquiring seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard as part of a three-team trade with the Blazers and Suns, the Bucks' NBA Championship odds have surged to +400 (implied probability: 20 percent).
Following a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the eighth-seeded Miami Heat last year, the now Adrian Griffin-led Bucks seemingly have their best chance of claiming their second NBA championship in four years.
Given that the Milwaukee brass has paired Giannis Antetokounmpo with a superstar guard to bolster their championship window, the question arises: Is it wise to place an early futures bet on Milwaukee to win the 2024 NBA Finals? Let's look at BetMGM's updated odds following Wednesday's league-altering trade and offer our NBA futures betting advice.
2023-24 NBA Championship Odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM. Click HERE to sign up!
| Team | Odds |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +400 |
| Denver Nuggets | +475 |
| Boston Celtics | +500 |
| Phoenix Suns | +650 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +1200 |
| Golden State Warriors | +1400 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +1600 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +2000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +2200 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +2500 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +3000 |
| Miami Heat | +3000 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +5000 |
| New York Knicks | +5000 |
| Sacramento Kings | +5000 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +8000 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | +8000 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +8000 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +10000 |
| Toronto Raptors | +10000 |
| Chicago Bulls | +15000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +25000 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +25000 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +25000 |
| Utah Jazz | +25000 |
| Orlando Magic | +35000 |
| Houston Rockets | +35000 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +50000 |
| Detroit Pistons | +50000 |
| Washington Wizards | +50000 |
Milwaukee Bucks 2024 NBA Championship Odds (+400)
The betting market tends to overreact when blockbuster trades like these go down. While Lillard is an offensive upgrade over the recently traded Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee will undoubtedly take a step back on the defensive end without their best perimeter defender.
Along with emerging as the odds-on favorites to win it all, the Bucks also leapfrogged the Celtics as slight favorites to win the Eastern Conference at +175. Does Milwaukee deserve to have better odds to win the Eastern Conference and NBA Finals over the Celtics? We're not so sure.
Of course, the Lillard trade is alluring and gives Milwaukee arguably the best one-two punch in the league. Nonetheless, the Celtics still have the most well-rounded roster in the Eastern Conference and are poised to lead the league in Net rating for a second consecutive season.
Yes, Lillard's floor spacing abilities should help Milwaukee boast one of the league's most efficient offenses, but when push comes to shove during the playoffs, you've got to get stops.
Should you bet the Bucks to win the 2024 NBA Finals?
We understand the market's adjustment in pricing the Bucks as the team to beat, but that doesn't mean you should make an impulse bet in late September.
It's hard not to buy into the hype and invest a portion of your bankroll on a Bucks championship future, but their championship odds are likely to hover around the 4-1 mark for the next several months. Therefore, there's no reason to rush to the BetMGM app and lay some cash down on Giannis and Dame to take the Association by storm. The 2023-24 odds markets are open throughout the season, and we recommend waiting until the regular season is in full swing to wager on the odds-on favorites.
If anything, this trade presents an opportunity to get a better price on the Celtics and other Eastern Conference contenders like the 76ers and Cavaliers to win the ECF and Finals. It's crucial not to get caught up in the hype and exercise patience when betting into season-long futures markets.
