The Daily Sweat: Clippers' NBA title odds make big move following John Wall news

We’re still a few days away from the madness of NBA free agency really getting underway, but there’s already been enough action to shake up the odds for next season’s championship.

On Monday came two bits of news. For one, Kyrie Irving plans to opt into his $36.9 million option for the 2022-23 season with the Brooklyn Nets. Does that mean the ever-perplexing Irving will actually wear a Nets uniform next season? That remains to be seen. He could still be traded, but the rumors of a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers went by the wayside.

The other bit of news emerged from the Western Conference. Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes is reporting that John Wall is likely headed to the Los Angeles Clippers after agreeing to a buyout with the Houston Rockets.

Wall, 31, has played just 40 games over the past three seasons. The five-time All-Star hurt his heel during the 2019 season and then suffered a ruptured Achilles after falling at his home. Following a trade from the Washington Wizards, Wall played in 40 games with the Rockets in 2021 and then sat out the 2022 season after reaching an agreement with the rebuilding franchise.

If a deal with the Clippers comes to fruition as anticipated, the addition of Wall provides a big boost for a team with championship aspirations — especially with Kawhi Leonard returning from a knee injury.

Before the reports of Wall joining the Clippers surfaced, they had +750 odds to win the title at BetMGM. At that point, the Clippers were behind the Golden State Warriors (+500), Boston Celtics (+650) and Milwaukee Bucks (+700). As of Tuesday morning, those odds have shifted quite a bit. The Warriors are still the betting favorites at +500 but the Clippers are next in line at +650.

The Clippers have inched closer to the Warriors in the Western Conference title odds as well, going from +375 to +325 at BetMGM. The Warriors, the defending NBA champions, are listed at +275 to win the West.

During his 40 games with the Rockets, Wall averaged 20.6 points and 6.9 assists per game. And now he will get the chance to chase a title alongside Leonard and Paul George in Los Angeles.

What’s on the betting slate for Tuesday? Baseball mostly

With the NBA and NHL playoffs now in the rearview mirror and football on the horizon, we’ve entered that time of year where the focus shifts heavily to baseball.

On Tuesday, there is a full slate of 16 games. That includes the start of a big series in the National League East between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. While the New York Mets built a big lead in the divisional standings, the Braves and Phillies have been excellent during the month of June.

The Braves (42-32) are now just five games back of the Mets for first place. The Phillies (39-35) are eight games out of first. On Tuesday night in Philly, the Phillies have ace Zack Wheeler on the mound against Atlanta’s Charlie Morton. The Phillies, playing their second game since MVP Bryce Harper fractured his thumb, are -125 favorites at BetMGM.

The Mets, meanwhile, open a brief two-game interleague set with the Houston Astros. The Astros, 45-27, have the second-best record in the American League and are -120 road favorites with lefty Framber Valdez on the mound.

What else is there to bet on?

Elsewhere on Tuesday, there is plenty of early round Wimbledon action. Make sure you’re keeping up with Yahoo Sportsbook’s Pamela Maldonado for all of her tennis picks.

And looking ahead to the weekend, we’ve got the John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour and UFC 276 to look forward to. Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole gave his best bets for Saturday night's event in Las Vegas.