3 Value Bets to Consider Ahead of NBA Trade Deadline

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. EST, but the fireworks started about midnight Wednesday.

That’s when four teams completed a 12-player trade — the largest trade in 20 years. The highlight of the blockbuster involved the Houston Rockets sending center Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks and acquiring Robert Covington from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Two first-round picks were also involved.

It’s the first big move of the trading period, but if past NBA deadlines are any indication, it won’t be the last.

Bookies.com handicapper Adam Thompson has revealed three value bets for fans of NBA betting to consider ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline:

Value Bets At NBA Trade Deadline

All odds are current as of publication and subject to change. Check out the latest NBA futures odds.

PICK 1: Clippers to Win NBA Title

At 35-15, the Clippers are the No. 2 team in the Western Conference, behind only the across-the-hall Lakers (38-11). But the Clippers aren’t staying pat.

They’re reportedly in conversations to beef up their interior — the Knicks’ Marcus Morris and Julius Randle may be available for a reasonable price, as is the Bulls’ Thaddeus Young.

Point guard Darren Collison, who retired last year, is mulling a return to the league and L.A. is his rumored destination of choice.

The Clippers are a title contender with or without the additions, but adding depth like that could push them over the top. Their odds to win the West is only +200, so they’re showing more value with NBA championship odds.

PICK 2: Rockets to Win West

Capela was a talented center, averaging 13.9 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. But his playing style didn’t mesh well with what the frenetic Rockets are trying to do with James Harden and Russell Westbrook leading the charge to win the Western Conference.

In the 11 games Capela missed because of injury this season, the Rockets were 10-1. They are now fully embracing the small-ball style led by their electric 1-2 punch. Adding the versatile forward Covington (12.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg) lessens the blow of losing Capela’s post production, too.

PICK 3: Nuggets to Win NBA Title

If there’s a dark horse in the top-heavy NBA, perhaps it’s the Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets, who added depth in Tuesday’s massive trade (along with a first-round pick).

Their depth was already a big strength — the Nuggets became the first team in NBA history to have nine players score in double figures, with all nine hitting at least one 3-pointer. That record-setting game just happened to be against the top team in the NBA, a 127-115 win at Milwaukee in the second game of a back-to-back.

They’re 5-3 against the Lakers, Clippers, Jazz and Rockets. None of those four teams have a better record against the best of the West.