Los Angeles Lakers Boosted in NBA Championship Odds After Acquiring Deandre Ayton

The Los Angeles Lakers have added a new center, signing free agent and former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to a two-year contract. This move has positively influenced betting odds for the team’s chances to win next season’s NBA championship.

Following the signing, the Lakers’ odds to claim the 2025-26 title have improved from 16-1 to 14-1, ranking them as the seventh most likely team to win and the fourth in the Western Conference. Leading favorites include Oklahoma City (+275), Denver (+700), and Houston (+800).

According to Jeff Sherman, vice president of risk at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the move addresses a clear positional need with an unexpected option. He added, “We adjusted the Lakers’ odds from 16-1 to 14-1 mainly for perception reasons, and they continue to be a significant betting liability.”

Last season, the Lakers secured the third seed in the Western Conference and made the playoffs after acquiring Luka Dončić midseason. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.

As of Tuesday morning, the Lakers remain one of the top betting liabilities for the NBA title, ranked just behind the Dallas Mavericks at BetMGM.