A wacky offseason full of player movement has changed the landscape of the NBA ahead of the 2019-20 season. It wasn’t the number of players that acquired a new zip code. Rather it was the players themselves. And according to oddsmakers at top NBA sportsbooks, the Los Angeles teams came away as the big winners with the Lakers and Clippers sitting atop the futures odds to win the O’Brien Trophy in 2020.
The Lakers finally acquired Anthony Davis in a blockbuster deal and he’ll pair with LeBron James to give them a potent duo. They parted with a number of their supposed building blocks to get him and the Lakers will look entirely different this season. The Clips landed the biggest free agent in Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and swung a deal for Paul George to make them a challenger. Both clubs have playoff and championship aspirations and we could see them hookup in the postseason for the first time ever.
Four of the six teams with odds below +1000 at BookMaker.eu reside in the Western Conference. While many feel the dynasty in Golden State is done, they may want to think again. Sure, things looked bad with a loss in the Finals. But the Dubs locked up Draymond Green and still have Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, though the latter will miss most of the season with an injury. For the first time in several years the Warriors are down the odds list, but don’t count them out, especially if Thompson returns later in the year to give them an added boost.
Odds to Win 2019-20 NBA Championship at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Lakers +350
Los Angeles Clippers +375
Milwaukee Bucks +546
Philadelphia 76ers +766
Houston Rockets +970
Golden State Warriors +990
Utah Jazz +1,508
Denver Nuggets +1,557
Boston Celtics +2,450
Portland Trail Blazers +2,750
Indiana Pacers +3,300
Brooklyn Nets +5,000
Toronto Raptors +6,500
Dallas Mavericks +8,500
San Antonio Spurs +8,500
Miami Heat +9,500
New Orleans Pelicans +10,500
Orlando Magic +21,500
Sacramento Kings +25,000
Atlanta Hawks +27,500
Detroit Pistons +28,500
Minnesota Timberwolves +36,500
Oklahoma City Thunder +42,500
Memphis Grizzlies +45,000
Chicago Bulls +50,000
Phoenix Suns +55,000
New York Knicks +60,000
Washington Wizards +70,000
Cleveland Cavaliers +100,000
Charlotte Hornets +120,000
The Houston Rockets feel their championship window is still open and with Golden State’s dynasty on hold, this could be the year they breakthrough. The West got tougher at the top, but the Rockets kept pace by adding 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook to the mix. On paper the move is great. There aren’t many talents like Russ. The big question will be how Russ and James Harden co-exist. Two alphas on the floor will certainly change the dynamic of the squad. Will it change for the better?
There was a shakeup in the Eastern Conference as well. Defending champion Toronto lost Leonard and tumbled down the odds list. The Raps are in the middle of the pack at +6500 behind the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers. Toronto acquired Kawhi with the sole purpose of getting them over the playoff hurdle and into the Finals. He did that and more. The club knew the scenario that played out was a possibility and now it’s back to the drawing board.
The Milwaukee Bucks posted the NBA’s best record last season only to be stopped by the Raptors in the East final. MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is back, as is most of the team that won 60 games, and the Bucks are third in line for title odds. There is a big drop in the East after the Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Boston has the third-best odds among East teams to win the title, yet they are ninth overall. That’s a clear sign that the balance of power rests in the West.
In order to hedge your bets, BookMaker also unveiled odds to win the Eastern and Western Conference. With the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets and Warriors among the favorites to win the title, wagering on the East champion has some value. Many felt Kyrie Irving was part of the problem in Boston. Now that he’s gone can the Celtics return to playing the kind of ball that got them to two straight conference finals?
And speaking of the Nets, adding Irving and Kevin Durant sent shockwaves throughout the league. KD will miss some time recovering from his Achilles injury, but they should have enough to make the postseason. And when Durant returns, a playoff run is likely. The Nets are +1450 to win the East.
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