Houston Rockets have second-best NBA title odds at sportsbooks after Kevin Durant trade
Before Game 7 of this year's NBA Finals tipped off, the NBA world was stunned by a Kevin Durant blockbuster deal, sending him to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in next week's 2025 NBA draft and five second-round picks.
It also sent a shockwave through the odds board at sportsbooks, as the Rockets moved from the 12-1 range to around +750 to win the 2025-26 NBA championship. Those are the consensus second-best odds behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are well ahead of any other team at +230.
Advertisement
"Good trade for Phoenix, adding Jalen Green and the 10th pick is the right direction," Jeff Sherman, vice president of risk at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook told Yahoo Sports via text message. "We lowered Houston from 12-1 to +900 just based on perception. They should be in the mix no doubt, I just like the return for Phoenix better than what the Rockets got in a 37-year-old they have to extend."
The New York Knicks (+900), Indiana Pacers (+950) and Cleveland Cavaliers (11-1) had the next-best consensus title odds at sportsbooks.
"Having someone who can score in the half court was exactly what Houston was lacking all season, and it cost them dearly in the playoffs," Thomas Gable, sportsbook director at The Borgata in Atlantic City (a BetMGM book) told Yahoo Sports via text. "While this will be Durant's 18th season, he can still generate offense in the half court, even if he doesn't get to the basket as much as he used to. He should help a very young Rockets team, even if it's only a short stint."
Advertisement
Sherman and other oddsmakers did have Houston as the second-best team in the West in their power ratings, but cautioned the ranking was simply as of today's trade, noting, for example, if San Antonio traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo that could vault them to No. 2.
"We slightly lowered the Rockets' title odds," Jeff Benson, director of sportsbook operations at Circa Sports said via direct message on X. "They upgraded and didn't give up a ton, especially the good young guys."
The +750 odds are the best for the Rockets since the 2019 season, per Sports Odds History, when Houston was +700.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
32 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Stowers ends 31-game homer drought, Alcántara solid over 6 innings to help Marlins beat Braves 5-3
MIAMI — Kyle Stowers ended a 31-game home run drought, Sandy Alcántara pitched six strong innings and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Sunday in the rubber game of their three-game series. Otto López had two hits and drove in two runs, and Xavier Edwards singled twice, doubled and had an RBI for the Marlins.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
BREAKING: Kevin Durant Traded To Houston Rockets In Blockbuster Deal With Suns
BREAKING: Kevin Durant Traded To Houston Rockets In Blockbuster Deal With Suns originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Kevin Durant trade saga has finally reached its dramatic conclusion. As reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have agreed to send two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in a massive blockbuster deal. In return, Phoenix receives Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. Advertisement Trade Details: Houston Rockets Recieve: Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns Recieve: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 2025 No. 10 pick, Five second-round picks The move ends months of speculation surrounding Durant's future. Ever since the Suns missed the playoffs after a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Western Conference, rumors had swirled about a mutual agreement between the franchise and Durant to seek a new destination. Initially, five teams were reportedly in the mix: Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Minnesota, and New York. But Durant eventually signaled a willingness to sign a long-term extension with only three of them: the Rockets, Spurs, and Heat. Advertisement The Spurs were at one point considered frontrunners. Reports emerged suggesting Durant viewed San Antonio as his 'next destination,' and the Spurs prepared a package that included the No. 14 pick and two promising young players. But Phoenix rejected that offer, and as trade talks advanced, Houston's patient approach ultimately paid off. The Rockets, who finished 52-30 last season and claimed the No. 2 seed in the West, were eliminated in a grueling seven-game first-round series by the Golden State Warriors. Despite their early exit, the Rockets had shown enough promise with a talented young core led by Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. However, what they lacked was a proven superstar who could elevate them into serious title contention. They have that now. Advertisement Kevin Durant, even at age 36, is still one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season while shooting an absurd 52.7% from the field and 43.0% from beyond the arc. He brings championship pedigree, veteran leadership, and clutch shot-making to a Rockets team that's suddenly one of the most dangerous in the league. For Phoenix, this trade marks the end of their ambitious Big Three experiment with Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. The trio never gelled, and the Suns struggled with depth, injuries, and a lack of identity. Now, they pivot toward a new direction with Jalen Green, a 23-year-old explosive scorer who can help form a dynamic backcourt alongside Booker. Dillon Brooks, a tenacious defender and 3-and-D presence, also adds toughness to the roster. Advertisement In addition to Green and Brooks, Phoenix acquires the No. 10 pick in the upcoming draft and now holds three first-round picks and eight second-round picks. That gives them the flexibility to either develop young talent or make aggressive moves to surround Booker with a more balanced and sustainable roster. But the spotlight now shifts to Houston. With Durant leading the way, the Rockets are no longer a 'future contender.' They are a new team, locked, loaded, and ready to challenge for the Western Conference crown. The NBA landscape just shifted. Kevin Durant is in Houston, and the league better pay attention. This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets Starting Lineup Looks Scary With Kevin Durant
Houston Rockets Starting Lineup Looks Scary With Kevin Durant originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Houston Rockets just went from promising to downright terrifying. With the acquisition of two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, the Rockets have put the entire league on notice. The deal, sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-rounders to Phoenix, was steep. Advertisement But what Houston gets in return is a proven, battle-tested superstar who immediately transforms their lineup into one of the most dangerous in the Western Conference. Here's what their projected starting five looks like heading into the 2025-26 season: PG: Fred VanVleet SG: Amen Thompson SF: Kevin Durant PF: Jabari Smith Jr. C: Alperen Sengun This lineup isn't just balanced—it's big, versatile, defensively sound, and oozes offensive firepower. The Rockets finished with a 52-30 record last season and were the No. 2 seed in the West, pushing the Warriors to seven games before falling in the first round. Now, with Durant in the mix, Houston isn't just hoping for a playoff run; they're eyeing a title. Advertisement Let's break it down. Fred VanVleet, the floor general, will continue to run the show. He averaged 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season. While his shooting percentages (37.8% FG, 34.5% 3PT) weren't elite, VanVleet proved his worth in the playoffs with veteran composure and clutch shot-making. The Rockets hold a $44.8 million team option on his contract, and current reports indicate they plan to either pick it up or negotiate a longer deal with a reduced cap hit. Either way, VanVleet is expected to remain the steady hand at point. Amen Thompson moves into a full-time starting role at shooting guard after Green's departure. The 6-foot-7 sophomore was a revelation last season, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 55.7% from the field. His defense is already elite, and with Durant drawing defensive attention, Thompson could explode as a secondary slasher and transition weapon. Advertisement Kevin Durant slots in at his natural small forward position. Even at 36, he's still one of the most efficient and feared scorers in the NBA. Last season with Phoenix, he put up 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting from the field and a ridiculous 43% from beyond the arc. The Rockets lacked a go-to scorer late in games during their playoff series against Golden State. Durant is that closer and then some. Jabari Smith Jr. gets a well-earned promotion. The former No. 3 pick will take over the starting power forward spot after a strong campaign in which he averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from deep. Smith's ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions will complement Durant perfectly and give Houston an extremely switchable frontcourt. Advertisement Alperen Sengun, the All-Star center and emotional heart of the team, remains a focal point. Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 49.6% from the floor. With Durant attracting more defensive pressure, Sengun will enjoy even more room to operate in the post. His playmaking from the elbow and top of the key should unlock a dynamic two-man game with KD that will be nearly impossible to stop. The Rockets' bench is still loaded. They kept Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore, offering both veteran grit and youthful upside. Eason and Whitmore, in particular, are athletic wings who can help sustain the pace when the starters rest. Head coach Ime Udoka, who recently signed an extension, now has one of the deepest and most flexible rosters in the league. Advertisement This is more than a superteam on paper. It's a roster built for May and June—durable, hungry, and balanced. Durant brings not only a championship pedigree but also a mentality shift. This team no longer needs to 'wait its turn.' With KD, the Rockets are here, and the West should be very, very afraid. Related: Grade The Trade: Who Won The Blockbuster Kevin Durant To Rockets Deal? This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
