It’s not often that a champion will upgrade its roster in the offseason immediately after its title run, but that’s what the Los Angeles Lakers have done.
Danny Green and Dwight Howard are now members of the Philadelphia 76ers. JaVale McGee is fighting for minutes in Cleveland behind Andre Drummond. Taking their place in Los Angeles is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell, the runner-up, Dennis Schroder, Wesley Matthews and Marc Gasol, all considered upgrades by most NBA handicappers.
That is reflected in the Lakers’ odds as well. When the 2019-20 season began, Los Angeles was the co-favorite to win the title with its intercity rival, the Clippers, at 5-2. This season, the Lakers are alone atop the futures board with odds as low 2-1 at BetMGM, or the more widely available 5-2 at books such as William Hill and PointsBet.