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Los Angeles Lakers have surprisingly high odds for 2019 NBA Title

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 8: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers draws out a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 8: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers draws out a play during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers odds to win the 2019 NBA Championship may surprise some people.

The Los Angeles Lakers made some strides during the 2017-18 regular season. They increased their win total by nine from the previous season. Despite the increase to 35 victories, the Lakers playoff drought reached five years.

The Lakers haven’t qualified for the postseason since 2013 when they were swept out of the first round by the San Antonio Spurs. This is the longest the Lakers have gone in franchise history without a playoff berth. However, they are hopeful that drought will end sooner than later.

The Lakers have a solid core of young players. Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart are a solid group. Julius Randle can be included in that if he is re-signed and Los Angeles also has the No. 25 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

While a strong core is a key to building a foundation, the Lakers will need more than that to get out of their rebuild. They are hoping that extra push comes this summer in free agency.

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Since coming aboard in the front office, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have made their intentions clear. They wanted to clear enough cap space to sign max free agents. They accomplished that goal, as the Lakers will have enough cap space to go after Paul George, LeBron James and DeMarcus Cousins this offseason.

There have been plenty of debates among analysts and fans about who the Lakers should go after. However, there is no debate to the fact that if the Lakers land any of those players, their roster will be improved dramatically.

There are still some doubts to the Lakers landing any of those players. There are teams closer to being contenders that can sign them. However, Las Vegas believes that the Lakers chances of adding established, veteran talent is high.

While the 2018 NBA Finals are still being played between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, Las Vegas is already looking ahead. Their odds for the 2019 NBA Title have already been released, and they may surprise you.

To the surprise of no one, the Warriors have the best odds at 5-4. The next three teams aren’t too shocking. The Rockets and 76ers are tied with odds of 7-2, with the Boston Celtics fourth at 8-1. The last team in the top-five is where the surprise begins.

Coming in tied for fifth is the Lakers. Yes, the same Lakers who haven’t made the playoffs in five straight years. Los Angeles is tied with the Miami Heat with odds of 20-1. The Cavaliers, James’ current team, is 30-1 to win the title, which is also behind the San Antonio Spurs at 25-1.

John Murray, a Westgate Superbook oddsmaker, delved into why the Lakers are in the top-five despite going 35-47 this season.

"“We like some of the younger players on the Lakers and think there’s a pretty good chance they get Paul George,” Murray said. “They’d draw a lot of action and probably would have the third-best odds in the West behind Houston and Golden State if LeBron went there. Without him, they’d probably be in the 60-1 to 80-1 range.”"

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This is telling because the Lakers, as currently constructed, are not close to being contenders. That can quickly change come July if they are able to sign George or James. Las Vegas must be confident that they will land some of their targets to have them in the top-five odds-wise to win the NBA Championship in 2019.

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