Lakers’ odds of winning NBA title next season aren’t good
Lakers star Kobe Bryant sits between teammates Jordan Hill, left, and Jordan Clarkson during a game against the Detroit Pistons back in March.
When the odds for who would wear the NBA championship crown next season came out after the Golden State Warriors won the NBA title over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, the Lakers were way, way, way down on the list of favorites to get that 2016 ring.
The Lakers face 66-1 odds to win the title, meaning they have the 18th best chance to take it all by Bovada.lv, the online sports betting website.
Los Angeles’ other NBA team, the Clippers, had their odds set at 10-1 — the same as the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs — for the fifth-best chance at becoming champs among the 30 teams in the NBA.
The Cavaliers and LeBron James, fresh off losing in the NBA Finals, were chosen as favorites to win the championship at 3-1 odds.
The Warriors will try to defend their crown knowing they aren’t the favorites. The odds had them second at 5-1 to repeat.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, with the hopes of getting a healthy Kevin Durant (foot) back on the court, had its odds of winning the championship at 7-1, good for third.
For the Lakers, they are in this spot because they had a franchise-worst 21-61 record. They have the second overall pick in the June 25th NBA draft and hope the player they select will help lead them back to prominence.
The Lakers also have the 27th pick in the first round and 34th pick in the second round.
Most draft boards have the Lakers selecting Duke center Jahlil Okafor second, which could be the start of pushing them in the right direction and perhaps change their odds some.
broderick.turner@latimes.com
Twitter:@BA_Turner
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