Although nothing about Kawhi Leonard and his upcoming free agency can be certain, the increasing noise about Leonard and the Los Angeles Lakers is enough for the biggest Sportsbook in Las Vegas to significantly change their title odds.
The Action Network broke the news on Friday evening that the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook has moved the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2020 NBA title favorites at +250 to just barely above even money at +120. A spokesperson for the book told the Action Network that it was done to protect themselves over the possibility of Leonard joining the Lakers.
Westgate VP of Risk Management Jeff Sherman told The Action Network’s Darren Rovell that the book moved the Lakers from +250 to +120 not because of big bets, but to protect itself against the chance that Kawhi joins the Lakers.
The movement of the lines follows recent statements by Lakers legend and former Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson that Kawhi Leonard allegedly wants to meet with him.
While there has been an increase in the belief that Leonard would stay in Toronto after leading them to championship, the possibility that he will join the Lakers is strong enough to influence a whole lot of money.
Earlier this week, the Lakers expanded the Anthony Davis trade to include Moe Wagner, Jemerrio Jones and Isaac Bonga in order to create $32 million in cap space.
