How Ime Udoka Nets Rumors Have Affected Team’s Championship, Conference, Playoff Odds

Steve Nash's firing – and subsequent rumors that suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka is being targeted for the job – shortened the Nets' odds to win it all at FanDuel and DraftKings.

FanDuel lowered the Nets' odds to win the NBA Championship from +1500 to +1300 amid the swirling rumors, which indicate the Celtics are willing to let the suspended coach walk. DraftKings changed their odds for the Nets to win the chip from +900 to +850.

DraftKings also lowered the Nets' chances to win the Eastern Conference from +450 to +400.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported after Nash's firing on Tuesday afternoon that Udoka had become the "likely next Brooklyn Nets head coach" and that the hiring could be finalized within two days.

Udoka had been suspended for the entire 2022-23 season for violating team policies relating to an improper intimate relationship he had with a female Celtics staff member, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported in September. Udoka is married.

Charania reported that while the relationship was thought to have been consensual, the woman later reported Udoka for making unwanted comments.

There had been no guarantee that Udoka would return to the Celtics bench following his suspension.

The Nets' odds to make the playoffs and win their division have remained the same at America's two most popular sportsbooks.

DraftKings had the Nets listed as -600 favorites to make the playoffs, while FanDuel took the market off their site. The market for the Nets to miss the playoffs remain at +400 at DraftKings.

Meanwhile, FanDuel lists the Nets' Atlantic Division odds at +400 while DraftKings had them listed at +450 before taking them off the board.

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