The 2022-23 NBA title odds saw its biggest shake-up of the off-season, as Kevin Durant reportedly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets organization Thursday.
While it wasn't surprising to see the Nets' odds dip — they moved from +700 to +1400 at FanDuel following the news, then another tick up to +1600 — another team is gaining serious traction.
The Phoenix Suns.
Phoenix was priced +1000 to win next year's title at the shop as early as Thursday morning.
Once Durant dropped the bombshell, the Suns were chopped to +700, then to +650.
Minutes later, they moved to +550, and are now favored to win the title at FanDuel.
And it didn't stop there! Phoenix' peak price hit +250, with most of the market at +500.
This would be a solid fit, too: Action Network’s Matt Moore reports that the Suns are considered to be one of the teams among Durant’s preferred destinations.
“Word circulated in league circles prior to Irving’s decision to opt-in that, if the Nets pursued a trade for the future Hall-of-Famer Durant, Phoenix would be among the very top of the preferred destinations," said Moore. "Durant has a good relationship with Chris Paul and a stronger one with Suns head coach Monty Williams. The Suns provide Durant the type of win-now championship opportunity Durant is interested in."
Phoenix is favored to win the West at FanDuel (+290), ahead of the Warriors and Clippers (both +300).
Durant currently owns the fourth-shortest odds to win MVP (+1000), behind Luka Doncic (+500), Joel Embiid (+550) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1000).
Durant's looking to pack his bags after signing a four-year extension in Aug. 2021.
He made his 12th consecutive All-Star team last season, and put up 28.9 points per game for the Nets, who were bounced in the first round of the playoffs to the Celtics.
The Suns, meanwhile, won the most games during the regular season. Phoenix has been the third-most profitable team against the spread since 2019, covering 55% of games.
