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2019-20 NBA Title Odds: Latest Lines After Kevin Durant, More Free-Agency Deals
June 30, 2019
The Los Angeles Lakers remain the early NBA title favorites in 2020 as free agency opens, while oddsmakers are souring on the reigning champion Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers lead the field at 2-1 odds, while the Raptors have fallen from 8-1 to 12-1 at the Caesars Palace sportsbook, per B/R Betting. The Milwaukee Bucks (4-1) are right behind the new-look Lakers and improve from 7-1. The Los Angeles Clippers also saw their odds drop slightly from 6-1 to 8-1.
The Brooklyn Nets weren't listed, and they're likely to take the biggest jump when the dust settles Sunday.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported they agreed to deals with Kevin Durant (four years, $164 million) and Kyrie Irving (four years, $141 million). Wojnarowski also reported DeAndre Jordan will sign with Brooklyn.
Durant's Achilles injury will likely keep him out for the entirety of the 2019-20 season, so the Nets probably won't even be the top title contender in the Eastern Conference. But they've still taken a step forward with the additions of Irving and Jordan.
The Bucks are largely standing pat and running it back with last year's squad. Khris Middleton wrote a first-person essay for ESPN confirming his return to Milwaukee, and Wojnarowski reported Brook Lopez agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal.
The Bucks will, however, lose Malcolm Brogdon. According to Wojnarowski, Brogdon agreed to a four-year, $85 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, and the Pacers will send a first-round pick and two second-rounders as part of a sign-and-trade to land Brogdon.
Despite the departure of Brogdon, the Bucks are poised to remain a championship contender with Middleton playing alongside 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.