It’s a whole new world in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors winning the championship and the Golden State Warriors suffering crucial injuries to two of their star players, the outlook for the 2019-20 season is wide open. And the oddsmakers have picked their favorite: LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook (via The Action Network) has the Lakers listed at +450 to win next year’s championship, with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers tied behind them at +600. Meanwhile, the 2019 Champion Raptors are at +1000.
Obviously, these improved odds for the Lakers is likely connected to their potential trade for Pelicans forward Anthony Davis. Should the Lakers be able to team LeBron with Davis, they would likely become even heavier favorites to win the championship.
While the Lakers still have to prove it to on the court, a team with Davis and LeBron on paper looks mighty tough in the West with the Warriors being hit by injury. And make no mistake, teams like the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers will likely try to make moves in the draft and free agency to take advantage of the Warriors misfortune.
The playoffs next year will be incredible, but the battle for 2020 is already underway.
