CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: LeBron James #23 of the LA Lakers and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets both of Team LeBron look on as they play against Team Giannis in the first quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)The significant injuries in the NBA Finals combined with what might be a historic free agency is completely changing the NBA landscape. The latest big NBA moves have even altered the betting odds for the 2020 NBA Finals.
According to OddsShark, the Los Angeles Lakers are the current betting favorites at +350 to win the 2020 NBA Finals. The big boost no doubt comes as a direct result of the blockbuster trade the Lakers made over the weekend for Pelicans star Anthony Davis.
Coming in second are the Milwaukee Bucks at +700, and the Houston Rockets at third with +900. Milwaukee had the best record in the East last year, while Houston had the fourth-best record in the West after an MVP-caliber season from James Harden.
In a three-way tie for fourth are the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Toronto Raptors at +1000. The Clippers are widely expected to make some massive moves in free agency, potentially landing Kawhi Leonard. The Warriors and Raptors are the defending conference champions, but are both expected to lose or otherwise miss key players next season.
BREAKING:
The Lakers are now the betting favorite to win the 2020 NBA Championship.
LAL +350
MIL +700
HOU +900
GSW/LAC/TOR +1000
PHI +1200
BOS +1400
BKN +2000
DEN +2500
DAL/IND/NYK/OKC/POR/SAS/UTA +3300
NO/SAK +5000
CHI/ORL +6600
MEM +8000
ATL/CHA/CLE/DET/MIA/MIN/PHO/WAS +10000 pic.twitter.com/CVJb4Is6Y2— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) June 16, 2019
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have seen their title odds drop to +3300, likely due to the injury to potential free agent signing Kevin Durant along with Kyrie Irving’s alleged desire to go to Brooklyn.
As for the Lakers, despite missing the playoffs last season, the combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis is one that could take the Western Conference by storm next season.
We’ve seen how dominant a LeBron James team that includes players he wanted to play with can be. The rest of the NBA will likely be reminded of it soon.
