Lakers are shock new leaders in NBA 2019/20 betting odds
June 27, 2019
Online bookmakers have slashed the LA Lakers’ NBA title odds after reports Anthony Davis will join the franchise.
The Lakers are now the hot favorites to win the 2019/20 NBA championship, ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks, newly crowned champs the Toronto Raptors, and perennial finalists the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers have reached an agreement to acquire Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans in return for Lonzo Ball, Brandom Ingram, Josh Hart, and three draft picks, ESPN reported June 15. Three-time All-NBA First Team forward Davis joins LeBron James to form the most formidable one-two combo in the NBA. The Lakers also held on to emerging star Kyle Kuzma in the trade, according to ESPN.
Lakers Lead Updated NBA Betting Odds
After missing the playoffs altogether in 2018/19, the Lakers have surged to the top of the 2019/20 NBA title betting odds. The day after the ESPN report, Betway was found offering 3.75 odds on a Lakers title win. Next in the betting odds were Toronto and Milwaukee, 8.00, Golden State, 9.00, Houston, 9.50, and the LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers, both 11.00. The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets lead the rest of the pack at 17.00 odds, with the Celtics still high in the rankings despite the imminent loss of Kyrie Irving.
NBA fans can pick up a Betway new customer offer and place a wager on their pick for the NBA Championship. With plenty of time still to run in the pre-season, the odds are certain to fluctuate. If the Lakers manage to snag another big fish such as Kevin Durant then their odds should plummet to below 2.00. Then again, there are reports the LA Clippers could be about to sign Toronto’s NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. If that happens, the Clippers will become the new odds leader.
Free Agency Will Have Massive Impact on Betting Odds
At least eight high-profile NBA players have become free agents this off-season. Where these st play in season 2019/20 will have a big impact on the NBA title betting odds. The Lakers are the shock odds leader this week, but it could be a totally different story by next week.
The Golden State Warriors have the most to lose in free agency. Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and DeMarcus Cousins all became free agents after the Warriors’ NBA Finals loss to Toronto. Durant and Leonard will both miss a big chunk of next season after suffering injuries in the sixth and final game of the finals. If they both leave, then the Warriors dynast might really be over.
Other players up for free agency include Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Khris Middleton. Leonard is yet to decide whether he’ll stay on at Toronto after leading the team to its first ever championship. The LA Clippers are in pole position to sign him if he leaves. Irving will leave Boston, with the Brooklyn Nets the main candidate to get him. After the Warriors, the 76ers will be the most nervous about free agency, given they stand to lose both Butler and Harris. If Middleton walks, Milwaukee’s odds will fall unless they can find a replacement sidekick for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With so many big names up for free agency, the only thing we can say with relative certainty is this NBA off-season will produce a few shocks. When surprises happen, betting odds fluctuate. And when betting odds fluctuate, there are opportunities for savvy sports fans to pick up some great betting deals.