There is a new contender in the Eastern Conference in NBA bookmaker NBA odds as the Miami Heat got two of the biggest free agents to come to Florida in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat could become the favorites in NBA odds at the Internet bookmaker to win the NBA title if they can land LeBron James to go along with Wade and Bosh. That announcement won’t come until Thursday night.
The Heat was a team that could make the playoffs with Wade but now with Wade and Bosh, they are a team that can contend for an NBA title. If they get LeBron as well, they would become the favorites to win a title. It was thought all along that Wade would stay with Miami but it was unclear whether or not Bosh would join the Heat. He decided to do so and will be making a lot of money in the next few years. He could earn $125 million over six years if he goes with a sign-and-trade deal with the Raptors that sends him to Miami or he could earn $96 million over five years without that deal.
Wade and Bosh both said that their decisions were not about the money but about winning a title. Toronto could get something out of the deal if Bosh agrees to the sign and trade. Miami president Pat Riley is trying to convince Bosh to take the five-year deal for less money so the Heat does not have to give up anything in a sign and trade.
Miami finished third last season in the Southeast Division behind Orlando and Atlanta. With Chris Bosh joining Wade in Miami, many people believe the Heat will be the favorite at the Internet bookmaker to win that division. Miami was 47-35 last season, 12 games behind the Magic. The addition of Bosh may be enough to make up that ground. And Miami still has cap room to do something else. If they are able to land James then they immediately become the favorites to win not only the Southeast Division, but the NBA title. Even without James, the combo of Wade and Bosh makes the Heat a real threat in the Eastern Conference.