If you’re a numerologist, then betting NBA divisional futures could be up your alley. The Miami Heat are -180 odds to win the Southeast Division in back-to-back years while the Atlanta Hawks, at +165 odds, are trying to win their second divisional title in three seasons.
The Heat tend to win the Southeast Division in even-numbered years, but slack off in the odd-numbered years, which bodes well for the Hawks. Over the previous 10 years, the Heat were division champs in 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, and 2012. Between 2011 and 2014, the Heat won four-straight Southeast Division titles, but 2013 was the last time they won it in an odd year. Since then, the Heat have won the division every other year.
| 2023 NBA Southeast Division Odds |
- Miami Heat -180
- Atlanta Hawks +165
- Charlotte Hornets +850
- Washington Wizards +3000
- Orlando Magic +30000
The Charlotte Hornets are +850 odds to win the division for the first time since the inception of the Southeast, but it’s looking like a two-way race between the Heat and the Hawks this year. The bookies don’t have any faith in the Washington Wizards at +3000 odds, and the Orlando Magic were installed with astronomical odds at +30000 to win the Southeast.
Heat -180
The Miami Heat could shake up their roster with a blockbuster trade. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Donovan Mitchell have all been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Heat, but which one will Pat Riley land?
If the Heat acquire Durant, how much of their team will they have left intact to make a run? If Riley and the Heat gamble on Durant, they think that even Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Durant plus a bunch of no names could still be a championship contender.
The Utah Jazz don’t want too many veterans and would prefer six first-round draft picks for Mitchell, which the Heat are lacking. The Irving trade market is thin and the Heat could get an upgrade at point guard at a much lower cost than through a Durant or Mitchell trade. Meanwhile, Riley tends to avoid players who could derail the winning culture that head coach Erik Spoelstra cultivated over the last dozen years.
The Heat could stand pat and try to run it back with the same squad. They were the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference last season, and fell one 3-pointer shy of a trip to the 2022 NBA Finals. Unfortunate injuries to Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, and Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro prevented the Heat from a second trip to the NBA Finals inside of three seasons.
Even without Durant, the Heat are still the best team in the Southeast and you should back them at -180 odds to win the division. They’re a bargain at -180 if they end up with Durant or Irving because the price will definitely spike after any acquisition.
Hawks +165
The Atlanta Hawks surprised everyone two seasons ago when they got hot in the playoffs and secured a spot in the Eastern Conference finals. Trae Young is a legit superstar who loves playing the role of the villain, which is reminiscent of Reggie Miller from the Indiana Pacers in the 1990s.
John Collins is one of the few players on the roster who didn’t jibe with how Young runs the offense, and he requested a trade. The Portland Trail Blazers are interested in surrounding Damian Lillard with a player like Collins, but trade talks have simmered down.
The Hawks acquired Dejounte Murray in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs in an effort to upgrade their defense. Young is an offensive superstar, but opposing teams hunt him on defense. Murray is an All-Star and defensive stopper. The Hawks added one of the top two-way players in the league to provide them with a much stronger defensive presence on the perimeter.
The Hawks will have one of the premier backcourts in the Eastern Conference, but we’ll see if it can translate into a division crown or a high playoff seed. You can back the Hawks at +165 odds to win the Southeast Division, but it’s a bit of a risk because of the unknown status of the Heat and their pursuit of Durant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P9ZYfQSVMY
Hornets +850
The Charlotte Hornets advanced to the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament over the past two seasons, but bubbled the final playoff spot both times. The high-flying Hornets had one of the most exciting offenses in the NBA last season, led by LaMelo Ball, but they couldn’t play defense to save their lives. Michael Jordan re-hired Steve Clifford in hopes the former Hornets head coach can teach the young Hornets how to play better defense.
The Hornets have some off-the-court drama to deal with and might start the season without Miles Bridges due to a domestic abuse assault charge. Forward Gordon Hayward also hinted at wanting out of Buzz City, so there’s a chance they might trade him before the season begins. The Hornets could use an upgrade at center, especially a defensive-minded rim protector.
The Hornets aren’t a legit threat to win the Southeast Division this season, but their +850 odds seem very generous and should be +1000 or higher.
Wizards +3000
The Washington Wizards were able to persuade Bradley Beal to stay with the team, but they foolishly traded away Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Denver Nuggets for Willie Barton and Monte Morris. KCP had championship experience and was both a 3-point threat and lockdown defender, but the Wizards are going all-in on rookie Johnny Davis. Davis might end up the steal of the 2022 NBA draft as the #10 pick, and has a great mentor in Beal.
Kyle Kuzma (17.1 ppg 8.5 rebounds) is the only other reliable and healthy scorer besides Beal on the roster. Kristaps Porzingis averaged 20.2 points and 8.1 rebounds in 17 games with the Wizards last season after the Dallas Mavericks exiled the Unicorn to DC. However, Porzingis is a huge health risk and missed 31 total games last season.
Porzingas missed 24% of his games in the first three seasons with the Knicks. He sat out the entire 2018-19 season recovering from an ACL injury. Since heading to the Mavs in a trade, he missed 31% of his games in 2019-20, 40% of games in 2020-21, and 38% of last season’s games. Even if he plays 70-plus games next season, the Wizards will struggle to qualify for the Play-in Tournament.
Magic +30000
The Orlando Magic are loaded with young, inexperienced players, but can they develop them into a team that’s a perennial playoff contender? Instead of selecting Jabari Smith, Jr. — the overall consensus #1 pick in the draft — the Magic threw everyone a curveball and picked Paolo Banchero from Duke with the first pick. Banchero joins a strong group of up-and-coming future stars, including Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, RJ Hampton, and Wendell Carter, Jr.
Markelle Fultz has been plagued with injuries since the Philadelphia 76ers selected him with the #1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but he has a chance to thrive with the Magic as their Sixth Man.
The Magic might be fun to watch, but don’t expect them to win many games. They might try to tank again. Sound familiar? At least there’s a good excuse to suck this upcoming season. The bottom feeders in the league — especially the Magic — are excited at the possibility of hitting next year’s draft lottery for a shot at Victor Wembanyana. The French teenager is regarded as the best big man prospect in a decade even more.
