In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA and sports betting markets, Luka Doncic has been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, while Anthony Davis will now don the Dallas Mavericks jersey. The trade, announced this past weekend, has swiftly altered the odds and expectations for both teams as they eye the 2025 NBA Finals. Prior to this trade, the Lakers were seen as a long shot with +4000 odds to secure the championship, and +2500 to clinch the Western Conference. However, with Doncic now on board, those numbers have dramatically shifted.
Jeff Sherman succinctly captured the sentiment surrounding the trade:
"Lakers must have seen their recent stretch without AD and said fine, we'll take Luka."
This deal has significantly impacted the Lakers' odds in multiple betting markets. Their chances to win the Western Conference jumped to +900 immediately following the trade announcement, before stabilizing at +850. Additionally, their projected season win total increased from 45.5 to 48.5 at ESPN BET. As of now, the Lakers sit in fifth place in the Western Conference standings with 28 wins.
The betting public has responded enthusiastically to the Lakers' bolstered roster. ESPN BET reports that the Lakers have received 46.6% of all bets and 65.2% of all handle to win this season's title, while BetMGM notes 64% of bets and 57% of handle favoring the Lakers for the championship. The Lakers have also become the largest liability for the Western Conference title at sportsbooks.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks' odds to win the NBA Finals initially widened from +2500 to +4000 after the trade but later adjusted to +3300 by Sunday morning at ESPN BET. Their odds for winning the Western Conference stretched from +900 to +1500, eventually settling at +1600. Despite these changes, Dallas managed to capture 9.5% of all tickets and 11.1% of all money placed on championship bets since Sunday night.
The trade has not only influenced team performances and expectations but also sparked a flurry of activity in the NBA Champion market. The sportsbook has reported taking the second-highest number of total bets in a single day since the season commenced, underscoring the significant impact of this high-profile trade.
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