Staying with the status quo is a death sentence in the NBA and each team in the Atlantic Division made moves this offseason – whether it was to put them in position to compete or begin a transitional period.
The Boston Celtics have run the division in recent years, but the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Toronto Raptors will all have something to say about it.
None of the five teams in the Atlantic Division had a losing record in 2022-2023, with 16 games separating first and last place. Ahead of the 2023-2024 campaign, here is the best bet to win the division and the sleeper team to keep an eye on.
Atlantic Division Winner Odds 2023-24
NBA odds used for these best bets are from Thursday, July 13, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Boston Celtics (-205)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+235)
- New York Knicks (+900)
- Brooklyn Nets (+2200)
- Toronto Raptors (+2500)
The loss of Marcus Smart is tough for the Celtics, but they were able to add Kristaps Porziņģis to give Joe Mazzulla exactly what he wants: five players on the floor at all times that can shoot from the perimeter.
The 76ers are at an impasse with James Harden, who would prefer to be traded despite the team replacing Doc Rivers with Nick Nurse this offseason.After signing Jalen Brunson and trading for Josh Hart last season, the Knicks compiled a 47-35 record under Tom Thibodeau.
The Nets and Raptors are both at the bottom of the odds due to lacking the All-NBA talent the other teams in the division possess.
Atlantic Division Winner Best Bet
Boston Celtics (-205)
Once again, Smart’s departure won’t go unnoticed on and off the floor for Boston.
The good news for the Celtics is that they still have Derrick White to replace him and Malcolm Brogdon is coming off a season where he won the Sixth-Man of the Year award despite there being health concerns surrounding him this offseason.
- See where the Celtics sit in our 2024 NBA Finals odds.
The addition of Porziņģis could be massive for the Celtics as it could ease the workload for both Al Horford and Robert Williams in the front court to pair with the team’s All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
There isn’t value in betting on Boston to win the Atlantic Division at the current odds (-205), but the team is undoubtedly built to win the division for the third consecutive year.
Atlantic Division Winner Sleeper Pick
New York Knicks (+900)
In Thibodeau’s third year at the helm in New York, the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing to the Miami Heat in six games.
The Knicks were tied for third league-wide in offensive rating (117) and were 19th in defensive rating (114.2) last season.
This offseason, the Knicks retained Josh Hart and added to their group of Villanova alums by signing Donte DiVincenzo in free agency. Jalen Brunson impressed in his debut season in the Big Apple, and the team boasts a bench unit that now consists of Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes (unless Hart comes off the bench), DiVincenzo, and Isaiah Hartenstein.
On top of that, the Knicks could add more to their roster if they offload Evan Fournier’s expiring contract to another team.