Perhaps the biggest move on NBA Draft night came when the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards. The trade had a lot of moving parts going back to Washington with the headliner being Kyle Kuzma.
Adding Westbrook and forming a trio with him, LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers should have the whole league on notice. LA isn't messing around this offseason. As a result of the trade, Los Angeles shot up in the NBA betting world and they are now the favorites to win the title next year.
As a result of the Russell Westbrook trade, the Lakers have jump ahead of the Nets as title favorites for the 2021-2022 NBA season, according to @SportsBettingAG:
LAKERS 3/1
Nets 13/4
Warriors 9/1
Bucks 9/1
Suns 14/1
Clippers 16/1
76ers 16/1
Jazz 16/1— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) July 30, 2021
The Lakers moved ahead of the Nets who have a big three of their own in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. The addition of Westbrook gives a much needed energy boost to LA's lineup and another superstar for the Lakers to work with.
What might be the most crazy about the odds is that the Milwaukee Bucks are sitting at 9/1 after winning it all this past year. There's a case that the Nets and Lakers certainly might be better next year but it's rare to see a team that just won the title and is set to return their entire core not be more near the top. It just goes to show how valued having a trade assembled big three can be.
After a disappointing first round exit in the playoffs this year via the Suns, the Lakers are staying super aggressive already this offseason as they try and get back to the mountain top. Adding Russell Westbrook is a huge step in the right direction.
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