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(Gambling911.com Sports Wire) – The Dallas Mavericks were listed with 40-1 odds of winning a championship in 2016. These odds will likely change (and not for the better) should Monta Ellis be traded away.
Ellis, 29, averaged 18.9 points per game last season to become the first player other than Dirk Nowitzki to lead the Mavericks in scoring since 1999-2000 and averaged 4.1 assists per game. His moodiness, however, has been a constant distraction for the team.
If Ellis opts in, Dallas would attempt to trade him for a draft pick, a source said, allowing the Mavs to maximize their cap space entering free agency.
Here is where the strategy comes into play: It is likely that the Mavs odds will get much longer should an Ellis trade occur, however, Dallas is attempting to sign LaMarcus Aldridge and third-team All-NBA center DeAndre Jordan in free agency. Assuming Ellis’ salary is not on the books, the Mavericks would likely have enough cap space to re-sign center Tyson Chandler.
Such a scenario would improve the Mavs chances of winning a title in 2016 with more enticing odds that can be locked in over the next few weeks.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
