With the start of the 2019-20 NBA season right around the corner, it’s time revisit the futures odds at top offshore sportsbooks. It was another wild offseason in the Association with a number of marquee players changing zip codes and the balance of power shifting to the Western Conference. And for the first time in four years the Golden State Warriors aren’t topping the futures odds list to hoist the O’Brien Trophy at the end of the year.
The top two teams to win the 2020 NBA title reside in the same building about 400 miles south of San Francisco and they are looking to put an end to the Warriors reign of five straight Western Conference titles. After a failed mid-season attempt to acquire Anthony Davis, the Lakers finally got their man in a blockbuster deal to team with LeBron James. The Lakers are slightly ahead of the Clippers at the top of the odds board at BookMaker.eu.
Landing the biggest free agent on the market gave the Clips instant street cred. Then swinging a deal for Paul George to play alongside Kawhi Leonard turned them into an instant contender. The Clips have qualified for the playoffs just 14 teams since joining the NBA as the Buffalo Braves for the 1970-71 season, and they’ve never played in a semifinal series let alone the championship. They are +390 to end that prolonged streak.
Six of the top eight teams on the list reside in the Western Conference with the Warriors off the pace slightly at +900. It’s clear the acquisitions in the offseason have bolstered the chances of several teams. The Dubs added by subtraction and still retained the core of their championship teams with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all making the move across the bay into the team’s new arena. Thompson will miss a chunk of the season due to his injury, but he will give them an added boost when he returns.
Odds to Win 2019-20 NBA Championship at BookMaker.eu
Los Angeles Lakers +345
Los Angeles Clippers +390
Milwaukee Bucks +535
Philadelphia 76ers +762
Golden State Warriors +900
Houston Rockets +930
Utah Jazz +1425
Denver Nuggets +1500
Boston Celtics +2550
Portland Trail Blazers +2674
Indiana Pacers +3347
Brooklyn Nets +5000
Toronto Raptors +5500
San Antonio Spurs +8000
Dallas Mavericks +9000
Miami Heat +9000
New Orleans Pelicans +10000
Orlando Magic +18500
Sacramento Kings +25000
Atlanta Hawks +27500
Detroit Pistons +30000
Minnesota Timberwolves +36500
Oklahoma City Thunder +42500
Memphis Grizzlies +45000
Chicago Bulls +50000
Phoenix Suns +56500
New York Knicks +60000
Cleveland Cavaliers +80000
Washington Wizards +80000
Charlotte Hornets +120000
It’s a good thing BookMaker has odds on conference champions since throwing down on a team from the East to win the title is likely a losing bet. The Milwaukee Bucks posted the best record in the NBA last regular season and boast reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, they were taken out by eventual champion Toronto in the East Final. The Bucks are the top pick from the East with the third-best odds to win the title at +535.
Oddsmakers anticipate the Philadelphia 76ers making a run from the East. They are right behind Milwaukee and fourth overall at +762. There is a big dropoff after that with Boston third to win the East but ninth to take the title. It’s just another sign that the West is loaded.
The defending champion Toronto Raptors got what they wanted from Leonard and now they are about to return to mediocrity. The Raps likely would have been the favorite from the East had Kawhi stayed. Without him they are in the middle of the pack at +5500 behind the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets. And speaking of the Nets, they acquired superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to make a push in the fairly even East. KD will miss time recovering from his Achilles injury, but he is expected back before the end of the season giving the Nets more ammunition for a playoff and conference title push.
One team out west we haven’t mentioned is Houston, which added former MVP Russell Westbrook to go along with former MVP James Harden. Banished from the playoffs by Golden State the last two years, the Rockets feel this could be their year. On paper the Westbrook get looks great, but can the two alphas get along and work toward a goal that neither player has yet to achieve?
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