David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Kevin Knox
NBA fans are still reeling from what has be an extremely eventful offseason so far. But even with the action still heating up off the court, we actually have some on the court action to discuss. The NBA Summer League is underway and there have been odds released via BetMGM on who will walk away with the summer league title.
Bettors are hoping it’s the New York Knicks.
The Knicks are the favorite of the public, having the highest number of tickets heading into their first game, according to data released by BetMGM.
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New York’s Summer League team is headlined by 2021 first round pick Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley, who is coming off of an extremely impressive rookie year with New York (11.4 points per game, 38.9% from 3-point range).
Portland—which won the 2018 NBA Summer League—comes in as the favorite, with +1000 odds to win the summer league title (full odds here). The Trail Blazers roster has much more experience than your average summer league roster. Third-year forward Nassir Little will be looking to show improvement.
Portland also has 11-year veteran Michael Beasley and Emmanuel Mudiay on its summer league roster, two players trying to fight their way into the league for a solid role. These players—who have quite a bit to prove on this low-stakes stage—contribute to the Trail Blazers being the favorite.
It’s no shock that the longshots to win the summer league include franchises like the Bucks, Suns, and Mavericks, teams that are all in win-now mode and don’t have much in the way of intriguing, young, unproven players who need summer league.
The biggest liabilities include the aforementioned Knicks, Grizzlies, and Lakers. Memphis will have tough, lights-out shooter Desmond Bane headlining its roster, while the Lakers will be relying on the high-flying Mac McClung and former Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi. Memphis won the last summer league title in 2019, with the summer league taking a year off during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NBA Summer League kicks off on Sunday, August 8, 2021.