Lakers' Updated 2025 NBA Title Odds Revealed After Luka Dončić, Mark Williams Trades
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacek
Featured Columnist IVFebruary 6, 2025
Congratulations to all sports bettors who placed their Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2025 NBA title bets before this week.
Because the odds have drastically changed.
The Lakers already stunned the NBA world by acquiring Luka Dončić in a deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Then they made another move Wednesday when they landed big man Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
As a result, the Purple and Gold's championship odds have gone from +4,000 (bet $100 to win $4,000) to +1,500 in the last four days on FanDuel Sportsbook, as of Thursday at noon E.T.
br_betting @br_bettingLakers have the sixth best odds to win it all after landing their big man...<br><br>Their title odds have moved from +4000 to +1500 in the last FOUR DAYS 😮<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/FDSportsbook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FDSportsbook</a>) <a href="https://t.co/N0UL2ncDGj">pic.twitter.com/N0UL2ncDGj</a>
The Golden State Warriors saw a similar boost in their odds after acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat:
While Davis is an excellent player and future Hall of Famer, it is no surprise the Lakers' odds jumped with the addition of Dončić. After all, the 25-year-old is arguably a top-five player in the league already and will make up quite the one-two punch with LeBron James.
His presence also means the 40-year-old James won't have to do as much on offense during the regular season, which could have the King fresher come playoff time.
Los Angeles still had a hole in the frontcourt after trading Davis, which is why it went out and acquired Williams. Now it has an athletic big who can work in pick-and-rolls and lobs with Dončić on the offensive end all while protecting the rim on the defensive side.
The Lakers have won seven of their last eight before either Dončić or Williams steps on the floor and are starting to look like true Western Conference contenders. The betting market has reacted accordingly, and the payout for a Los Angeles championship is much lower than it was just days ago.