NBA Betting: Players On The Move

Every team is looking to get better and, with the recent defections of veterans Steve Nash, Ray Allen and Jason Kidd, the NBA landscape has changed considerably. Conversely, what should NBA bettors make of Kevin Garnett and Deron Williams staying put?

Miami Heat 

The Heat now have a bull's-eye on their backs after winning the NBA championship. The dream team finally made good on their promise to begin a new dynasty in South Beach. They have officially begun the process but whether they can continue it remains to be seen. However, they took a big step towards becoming even more dangerous than they were last season. They now have the most prolific three-point shooting assassin in NBA history on their roster in Ray Allen. 

The former Celtics sharpshooter reportedly eschewed double the money from Boston for the chance to add another ring on his fingers. While many in Boston would argue that he could have done that wearing a Celtics uniform, the fact of the matter is that the championship window is wide open in Miami while it has been closing slowly in Boston since they won in 2008. Ray Allen makes the world champions even better. 

L.A. Lakers 

Steve Nash was technically part of a sign and trade deal between the Suns and the Lakers, but the bottom line is that he is now a member of Team Kobe. Nash, like Ray Allen of the Celtics, is looking for his best shot to make the twilight years of his career memorable ones. At 38 years old, he is not the same Steve Nash who electrified audiences with his passing wizardry in years past, but he is still an upper echelon playmaker who can give the Lakers an immediate boost in the Western Conference. 

Boston Celtics 

The Green recently inked former Mavericks' three point threat Jason Terry to a three-year deal which, incidentally, may have given Ray Allen yet another reason to seek greener pastures in Miami. Terry is a younger version of Allen, just as adept from the perimeter, and will be used as the sixth man coming off the bench to create instant offense when the team is dragging.

While signing Terry was essential, particularly in light of losing Ray Allen, securing Kevin Garnett to return was the real story of the Celtics offseason moves. Garnett, like Paul Pierce, will be another year older but bringing in rookies Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger while signing power forward Brandon Bass and Jeff Green (who was sidelined with a heart ailment) may be enough to give Garnett and Pierce the reduced minutes on the floor which will keep them fresh during the postseason.  

Brooklyn Nets 

A bold move by Nets management caused another bold move by the player they coveted most. Reports indicate that when the Nets traded for Atlanta's Joe Johnson, Deron Williams decided Brooklyn was where he was meant to be. 

Williams stated the following, “I was really close to going to Dallas. I actually thought that’s where I was going to go, but I had the meetings and I changed my mind. Once I got out of the meeting with Dallas, the way they were going, the team they were putting out there, and we just made a trade for Joe Johnson, I just felt that team for a longer time would be a better team."

“Joe I think got me over the hump. I’ve never played with anybody like him. A guy on the wing who can get his own shot, get me involved, is a great defender. I think we can be one of the top backcourts in the NBA for sure.”