Two members of the Toronto Raptors‘ 2019 NBA championship team are poised to be among the most sought-after players when this year’s NBA free agent market finally opens. Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka are set to hit the open market, but both are favoured to remain in Toronto on the NBA free agency odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The team’s leading scorer during the post-season, VanVleet sports short minus-225 odds to re-sign with Toronto, while Ibaka is pegged as a plus-125 wager to do the same at sports betting sites.
VanVleet continued his steady climb into the ranks of the NBA’s elite during his fourth season in Toronto. But while VanVleet remains favoured to return to the Raptors’ fold, his breakthrough campaign has stoked interest from clubs around the NBA. The Phoenix Suns have emerged as a plus-550 second favourite to land the talented shooting guard, just ahead of the New York Knicks at plus-650.
With the Raptors likely looking beyond next season, and the possibility of pursuing Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo when he becomes eligible for free agency, Ibaka may have to settle for a one-year deal if he wishes to remain in Toronto. That has fueled speculation that the 31-year-old could be set to leave town, with the Miami Heat listed as a plus-500 wager to be his next destination, followed by the New York Knicks at plus-600, and the Los Angeles Clippers at plus-900.
The biggest prize up for grabs in this year’s NBA free agent market is expected to be Anthony Davis, who is poised to opt out of his current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. But the seven-time All-Star is widely expected to remain in Southern California, with minus-10000 odds favouring him to re-sign with the Lakers.
Former Raptor DeMar DeRozan also enjoys the option to test the waters of free agency this offseason. Dealt to San Antonio two years ago as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, DeRozan is eligible to opt out of his contract. But continued uncertainty over whether there will be a bump in the salary cap for next season could limit his free agent options. That has left DeRozan sporting short -200 odds to remain with the Spurs.
Elsewhere on the NBA free agency odds, Chris Paul sits as a plus-125 wager to remain in Oklahoma City despite reports indicating his desire to move to New York or Los Angeles. After one season with the Thunder, plus-275 odds indicate that Dallas will be Danilo Gallinari’s next home, while Carmelo Anthony is a minus-175 favourite on those NBA odds to return to Portland for at least one more season.
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