Kristaps Porzingis Trade Makes Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Title Favorites

The Boston Celtics made a massive trade for one-time NBA All-Star Kristaps Porzingis as the Washington Wizards continue to move on from their top players. The trade, which was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN Wednesday night, will send 2022 Defensive Player of the Year to the Memphis Grizzlies and reserve point guard Tyus Jones to the Wizards in a three-team deal.

Shams Charania first reported that the Celtics and Wizards were in talks with the Los Angeles Clippers as the third party in a potential deal, but that fell apart Wednesday evening. That trade would have reportedly sent Malcolm Brogdon to L.A. while Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, Danilo Gallinari and the 30th pick in Thursday's draft would have gone to Washington.

The revised deal will net the Celtics the 25th pick in Thursday's draft and a 2024 first rounder while the Wizards get the 35th pick in the draft, Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, according to Wojnarowski's reporting.

This all comes on the heels of forward Kyle Kuzma declining his player option with the Wizards to become a free agent, and franchise staple Bradley Beal waiving his no trade clause in a move that sent the three-time All-Star to the Phoenix Suns.

As the details of the deal are being hammered out — Porzingis needs to opt-in to his $36 million player option for a trade to work — sportsbooks are already adjusting 2024 title odds.

2024 NBA Title Odds

The Celtics entered Wednesday at +500 at FanDuel, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the second-shortest odds to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy next season, just behind the reigning champion Denver Nuggets.

As of Thursday morning, the Celtics are the favorites to win the 2024 championship by a hair. At DraftKings, the Celtics went from +550 to +475 and are co-favorites with the Nuggets.

The Celtics still have Jaylen Brown's contract negotiation to resolve this summer. Brown made the All-NBA second team this season and is eligible to sign a five-year, $295 million supermax contract.

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