How the Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday trades have changed the NBA outright market

It is now less than a month until the start of the NBA season and we are starting to get an idea of how most of the rosters are going to look, at least on opening night. 

The story of this off-season has largely revolved around Damian Lillard. Lillard, a seven-time NBA All-Star, has been pushing for a move from the Portland Trailblazers all summer and last week he finally got it. His trade to the Milwaukee Bucks has shifted the balance of power in the NBA.

For the first time, Lillard will be partnering with another star in two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to create a devastating two-man game. The Bucks were dumped out of the play-offs in the first round last year despite finishing the season as the one seed. Something had to change and the Bucks have decided to go all in with this trade. 

The outright market responded to the trade. The Bucks were third favourites for the title with odds of 9 as soon as the trade went through they jumped up to favourites with odds of 5.8. That is the power that a single trade can have in the NBA. 

The Bucks gave up Jrue Holiday in the trade, one of the best defensive guards in the league and a key part of their 2021 championship-winning team. As of yesterday, Holiday has now ended up at the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were the favourites for the title before the Lillard trade at 6.2. However, the addition of Holiday has seen them move level with the Bucks on 5.8.

The NBA is a league dominated by stars and the saying goes that you are only ever as good as your best player. It will be interesting to see if any other stars move before the trade deadline.