Lakers Favored to Win 2020 NBA Championship After Landing Anthony Davis

• The Los Angeles Lakers acquired F/C Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday
• The Lakers  immediately became the 2020 NBA Championship favorites
• The odds on the Lakers improved from +700 to +350 following the deal

Anthony Davis is the first shoe – or should that be sneaker – to drop.

The NBA’s summer of change began in earnest Saturday, as the long-rumored deal between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans finally went down.

The Lakers landed NBA all-star center/forward Davis from the Pelicans, and sportsbooks immediately vaulted LA to the top of their 2020 NBA Championship odds. The Lakers are now +350 favorites to win it all next spring.

2020 NBA Championship Odds

Odds taken 06/15/19. 

The Lakers were +700 to win the 2019-20 title prior to the trade. The Milwaukee Bucks (+600) had been favored prior to the deal.

In the opening odds, the Golden State Warriors were +300 favorites, followed by the Bucks at +600.

Davis Is A Dandy Acquisition

There are many in the NBA who consider Davis to be one of the best players in the league, both in the current realm and perhaps among the all-time greats.

He’s been lost under the radar in New Orleans, where he basically performed as a solo act for the Pelicans.

Anthony Davis best games from 2018-2019 season

– 53 PTS, 18 REB, 5 BLK
– 50 PTS, 15 REB, 5 STL, 5 BLK
– 48 PTS, 17 REB, 4 STL
– 46 PTS, 21 REB
– 45 PTS, 17 REB, 5 STL, 5 BLK
– 44 PTS, 17 REB, 6 STL pic.twitter.com/vemPzLZttn

— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) June 15, 2019

Paired with LeBron James, this will be a one-two punch to be feared. Davis won’t be required to do it all. They will play off each other’s strengths and torment the opposition.

Breaking: The Pelicans have agreed to a deal to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks – including the No. 4 overall in 2019 Draft, league sources tell @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/a2L4wSQOOx

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 15, 2019

As well, James will handle the leadership role, allowing Davis to focus on doing his job on the court. He won’t be the focal point as he was in New Orleans.

Laker Exceptionalism Is Back

They signed James last summer. They’ve traded for Davis, and speculation is they might not be done.

Kemba Walker will be top target for Lakers in free agency after reaching an agreement in principle to trade for Anthony Davis, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/ZIAHo8BEby

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 15, 2019

Reports are circulating that the Lakers will strongly pursue Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker if he doesn’t sign a new deal with the Hornets and opts for free agency.

Golden State is reeling, crushed by injury and facing an uncertain future. The Houston Rockets are perennial underachievers.

Great job by Owner Jeanie Buss bringing Anthony Davis to the Lakers! Laker Nation, the Lakers are back in a championship hunt! Congratulations to the entire organization. I know LeBron James has a big smile on his face. I’m loving this!!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 15, 2019

It’s been nine years since the Lakers played in the NBA finals. In franchise history, they’ve never gone a full decade without appearing in the finals.

The path is clear for them to make a run.

There’s More To Come

So many pieces need to be slotted into position in what figures to be the wildest offseason in NBA history. The future homes of stars such as Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Walker and Jimmy Butler have yet to be finalized.

The Lakers may have options in free agency to form a Big 3 ? pic.twitter.com/LpMaYGI4mP

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 16, 2019

Two years in a row, the Lakers landed A-list stars. They pursued Davis and made it happen. What free agent isn’t going to view the Lakers as an attractive destination?

At this juncture, betting the Lakers to win it all isn’t a bad play at all.