Lakers 2024-25 Betting Preview: Prediction, Roster Projection

The Los Angeles Lakers returned to the playoffs after a 47-35 campaign last year, but the Denver Nuggets eliminated them in five games during the opening round.

NBA futures odds are available at the online sportsbook, including Los Angeles Lakers odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Lakers Futures Odds

Win Total: 44.5
Pacific Division: +350
Western Conference: +1800
NBA Championship: +3000

There always seems to be a Lakers’ tax in the NBA odds market. The Lakers haven’t finished over their win total since 2017-18, which is the longest such streak in the league.

But the market is down on Los Angeles this season. The under is one of the most-bet win totals this summer despite the Lakers’ win total being three games below last year’s mark.

The Lakers are also +3000 to win the NBA Finals after being 18/1 or better in each of the six preseasons.

Lakers Offseason Moves

Due to having a full roster, the Lakers had a quiet offseason and appear to be running it back under first-year head coach JJ Redick.

Additions

Departures

The Lakers were in on the Klay Thompson sweepstakes, but were ultimately limited to using the draft for roster improvements. They got a steal when Dalton Knecht fell to them at No. 17 before selecting Bronny James, the son of their best player, in the second round.

LeBron James, who will turn 40 years old in December, signed a two-year, $101,355,998 deal to (likely) end his career in Los Angeles. The Lakers also re-signed Max Christie, who appears to have a more significant role after falling out of the rotation last season under coach Darvin Ham.

Taurean Prince averaged 27 minutes per contest last year and left Los Angeles to join the Milwaukee Bucks (where Ham is now an assistant) in the offseason.

Lakers 2024 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Lakers to Miss the Playoffs (+115)

The Lakers were extremely lucky with the health of their superstars last year. Anthony Davis played 76 games, while James logged 71 games.

Despite that, the Lakers had to fight for a spot in the play-in tournament. They eventually won their first play-in matchup to claim the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

With James and Davis competing for Team USA in the Olympics, I’m not counting on as many games for either player. Considering the margins in the West, that could be all the difference in missing the postseason or at least being at the back end of the play-in.

The Lakers are still a dangerous team with their superstar duo, but this team has a low floor with a first-year coach who has never coached basketball. And that’s before you even get to the potential Bronny drama.

At +110 or better, there is value in fading the Lakers this year.

2024-25 NBA Team Previews & Predictions