Due to the major moves they’ve made and due to the NBA rapidly changing around them, the expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers are decidedly higher this season than they were at this time last year.
But while the oddsmakers currently have their Staples Center neighbors listed as the favorites, the Lakers are decidedly in the elite according to the books. And like the championship odds, the Lakers have a good shot but aren’t favored to win the MVP in 2020.
In odds done for Bleacher Report, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas has both LeBron James and Anthony Davis listed in the top five of the MVP odds behind defending 2018-19 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The oddsmakers also like Stephen Curry and James Harden’s chances more. Curry will certainly shoulder a greater offensive load with the departure of Kevin Durant and the injury to Klay Thompson, while Harden is adding Russell Westbrook to his team.
LeBron James and Davis could certainly take away votes from each other if the Lakers win like everyone expects them too. With Davis entering his prime as one of the most decorated young players of his age and LeBron coming off of a 27-8-8 season despite injury, Vegas believes both would be reasonable bets to come away with the MVP.
