Even though the 2018 NBA Finals has just begun and the league has yet to hold its annual draft and free agency period, the Westgate sportsbook in Las Vegas has offered its 2018-19 season futures.
Not surprisingly, the immensely unlikable Golden State Warriors are already prohibitive favorites to hoist another Larry O’Brien trophy at 5/4.
Also not surprisingly, the Houston Rockets were second favorites at 7/2.
But there were some surprises. Joining the Rockets at second overall favorites were the Philadelphia 76ers at 7/2.
And despite not making the playoffs this year and having one of the youngest teams in the league, the LA Lakers are listed at 20/1, which is better odds than LeBron’s current team, the Cavaliers (30/1).
Does Vegas know something?????
Or is Vegas just learning to hedge from past betting experiences?
In 2014, sportsbooks saw a flurry of Cavs futures wagers in the days before LeBron announced he was “coming home.” In 2016, the Warriors saw some high-volume action right before Kevin Durant bolted OKC to form a super team in the Bay.
LeBron has most been linked to the 76ers and Lakers in free agent talk, although he took a shot at Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo and his burner Twitter accounts.
One thing Vegas hasn’t considered yet: lowering the title odds of whatever team ends up with JR Smith.
