The Los Angeles Lakers' odds of winning the NBA championship have surprisingly improved, even as the potential departure of LeBron James looms. Oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook have adjusted the Lakers' championship odds from +4500 to +3300, placing them as the 11th-best chance to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
This shift in perception coincides with significant roster adjustments aimed at building a team for a post-James era. The Lakers recently acquired young center Walker Kessler in a sign-and-trade deal with the Utah Jazz, sending unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030, to Utah. Kessler is expected to provide much-needed rim protection and a vertical threat alongside the team's burgeoning star, Luka Doncic.
Further bolstering the roster, Los Angeles added guard Quentin Grimes and swingman Collin Sexton, along with forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, through free agency. These additions are intended to inject athleticism, scoring depth, and perimeter defense into a team that may be moving away from a strategy centered on James's individual timeline. The current roster appears to be coalescing around Doncic, shooting guard Austin Reaves, and Kessler.
The improved odds suggest that oddsmakers see potential in a younger, deeper Lakers squad built around a 27-year-old superstar, rather than another season heavily reliant on the veteran James. Kessler's defensive presence and Sexton and Grimes' offensive capabilities are seen as key components for the team's future.
Despite these positive moves, the Lakers are still considered a long shot to reach true contender status. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs share the top championship odds at +260. Other Western Conference teams such as the Denver Nuggets (+2200) and Minnesota Timberwolves (+2700) are also viewed as stronger contenders. In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics (+700), New York Knicks (+850), Toronto Raptors (+2200), Detroit Pistons (+2200), Cleveland Cavaliers (+2200), and Miami Heat (+3000) all hold better championship odds than the Lakers.