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Are you feeling lucky?
Without knowing where reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is headed yet, the Toronto Raptors’ betting odds to repeat and win the 2020 championship has dropped following successive moves in free agency, chiefly Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving deciding to play for the Brooklyn Nets.
Per Bleacher Report’s betting coverage, the defending champs Raptors fell from 8-1 to 12-1 if you’re placing your bets at the Caesar’s Palace casino and hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Leonard led the Raptors to the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance and championship victory, defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games.
However, Leonard may not be back in Toronto next season. The two-time Finals MVP plans to meet with the New York Knicks—another Atlantic Division foe—the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who will bring former team president Magic Johnson in the meeting.
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Leonard, from Los Angeles, California, was widely believed to be just a “rental” for the Raptors when the Canadian team pulled off a stunning trade last offseason, acquiring Leonard and Spurs teammate shooting guard Danny Green from San Antonio in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a first-round pick. After going all the way and winning a chip for essentially an entire nation, many believe Kawhi could stay with Toronto.
Both the Lakers and Clippers are especially appealing, nonetheless.
The Lakers odds, per Bleacher Report, haven’t moved and stand at 2-1. The favorites found themselves in such a competitive position after missing the last six playoffs following their acquisition of Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. With LeBron James on the team, too, LA is looking to sign another max-worthy star—whether that’s rumored to be Kawhi, Jimmy Butler, or another elite player.
The fate and balance of the betting world could be hanging onto Kawhi Leonard and his free agency decision.
