A big NBA trade got the attention of sports betting handicappers on Wednesday as the New Orleans Hornets got Trevor Ariza in a four-team, five-player deal. The players who could impact sports betting online odds in the most involved in the trade were Ariza and Darren Collison.
Sports betting odds on the New Orleans Hornets should be improved a little bit with the addition of Ariza. The Hornets gave up Collison but they really did not need him since Chris Paul is healthy again. The deal was a big one as four teams were involved. The Houston Rockets sent Ariza to New Orleans who sent Collison and James Posey to Indiana. The Pacers then sent Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets and the Nets sent Courtney Lee to the Houston Rockets.
The Hornets made another minor deal on Wednesday as they sent Julian Wright to Toronto for Marco Belinelli. The big news though was the Hornets getting Ariza. He should help take some of the scoring pressure off of Paul. Ariza signed a five year, $34 million deal with the Rockets last year. The Pacers are happy to get Collison as he gives them a starting point guard to go along with their other young players.
The Nets may have got the short end of the deal as they add Troy Murphy who really has underperformed in his career. The Nets are not too concerned though since Murphy is in the last year of his contract which means he comes off the books next season. The Rockets didn’t get much in the deal either but they were able to dump salary and that was their big concern. The deal saves them $28 million, $10 million which is saved this season. The Rockets already spent a lot of money this off-season so the trade definitely helps them in terms of salary.
The Hornets look to have made out very well in the deal since they get Ariza. Last season Arizona averaged 14.9 points per game for Houston and he also pulled down 5.6 rebounds per game. He led the team in steals and blocks. He will be a great help to New Orleans next season as the Hornets try and get back into the playoffs.