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Christian Wood Trade Draws Big Mavericks Bet at Caesars

Scott Cullen

Last Updated: June 16, 2022 1:13 PM EDT • 1 min 12 sec read.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 21: Christian Wood #35 of the Houston Rockets reacts to hitting a three point basket during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center on March 21, 2022 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Carmen Mandato / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks agreed on a big trade Wednesday, prompting a New Jersey bettor to put $2,000 on the Mavericks to win the 2023 NBA title at Caesars.

At odds of +2000, the wager would bring a $40,000 payout if the Mavericks do indeed capture the championship next season.

https://twitter.com/CaesarsSports/status/1537476115928862720?s=20&t=Fq0nvE9pP9yE8LyWTbRmcg

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https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1537239482394546177?s=20&t=Fq0nvE9pP9yE8LyWTbRmcg

Naturally, there is plenty of time for player movement in the offseason to change the outlook of contenders for next season, but the addition of Wood will improve Dallas’ starting five as he likely will take over at center from Dwight Powell.

Wood, 26, has emerged as a playmaker at center for the Rockets in the past two seasons, averaging 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 38.4% on three-pointers.

Will that be enough to take the Mavericks to the championship next season? Well, Dallas made the Western Conference Finals this year and the pieces going to Houston – Boban Marjanovic, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, and Marquese Chriss – were not a significant part of that success, so Wood should have a positive impact.

The appeal for Houston is that they also get the No. 26 pick in the draft, giving them another first-rounder in addition to the third and 17th picks that they already have, and Wood’s departure will open the door for Alperen Sengun, the 16th pick in last year’s draft, to step in as the starting center and play a central role in the Rockets’ rebuilding plans.

Here are the latest 2023 NBA Championship odds from DraftKings and Caesars. Note that the price on the Mavericks has fallen since the big bet was placed.

https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/TOMwL/1/

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Written By:
Scott Cullen
Scott Cullen is SportsbookReview.com's Sports Betting Analyst and is one of the most well-known sports betting writers on the web. He wrote about fantasy sports for TSN for many years, and he has also written for The Athletic, NHL.com, The Hockey News, Monkey Knife Fight, and McKeen's Hockey. Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Cullen was an Economics major at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario and played for the Laurier Golden Hawks hockey team.