Will the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers and their respective ‘dynamic duos’ live up to their respective billing as top favorites? Will the Milwaukee Bucks and league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo take two more steps to become league champs after coming up just short in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals? Last but not least, could the Toronto Raptors pull off the impossible to repeat as NBA champs after losing superstar Kawhi Leonard in free agency?
With the 2019-20 NBA regular season set to get underway in just over 24 hours, it’s time to take a look at the latest odds to win the 2020 NBA Championship.
Updated 2020 NBA Championship Odds – October 21st Edition
Los Angeles Lakers
Sure, LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be all-stars this coming season, but can the Lakers collection of veteran role players give the two superstars the help they’ll need in order to win it all?
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have two superstars of their own in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George – and they have a much better bench that their in-town division rivals, which makes the Clips the favorite in my eyes.
Milwaukee Bucks
Two-way shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon is gone, but almost everyone else is back for a Bucks team that reached the conference finals a year ago. After adding veteran three-point shooter Kyle Korver and veteran big man Robin Lopez, I’m thinking Milwaukee is looking great in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid might be the best center in the game today and both, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris are all-stars. After adding do-it-all veteran big man Al Horford, the Sixers are looking quite string. Now, if only Simmons learns to shoot. Unheralded reserves.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets made a big splash this offseason by trading point guard Chris Paul for former league MVP Russell Westbrook, but I remain completely unconvinced and can’t wait to see hoe the ball-hogging Harden and Westbrook get along on court.
Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Shawn Livingston are all gone, but the Dubs still have the incomparable Steph Curry and do-it-all Draymond Green leading the way. If D’Angelo Russell its in seamlessly and Klay Thompson returns at somewhere near close to 100 percent, I say the Dubs are totally dangerous and shouldn’t be counted out by anyone.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz added veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. and I believe he will pay big dividends at both ends of the floor while helping blossoming star Donovan Mitchell get easier shots all season long.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have one of the best centers in the world in all-star center Nikola Jokic and they’ve got a great bunch of role players surrounding their main man, including underrated veteran forward Paul Millsap and sweet-shooting two guard Jamal Murray among others.
Boston Celtics
Sure, the Celtics fell way short of their title hopes last season, but they could be better by subtracting point guard Kyrie Irving in favor of Kemba Walker. While I’m expecting a breakout campaign from the gifted Jayson Tatum, the loss of Al Horford is going to sting big-time.
Portland Trail Blazers
If Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum actually get some help at the offensive end of the floor, the Blazers could surprise all of their Western Conference counterparts. Then again, that’s a big ass if!
Indiana Pacers
I’m also of the belief that Indiana could challenge for something of consequence in the Eastern Conference if Victor Oladipo returns to his previous all-star form following last season’s horrific knee injury.
Toronto Raptors
While I love my Philly homeboy Kyle Lowry and the blossoming Pascal Siakim, no Kawhi Leonard means no title for Toronto this coming campaign.
Brooklyn Nets
With Kevin Durant out, Kyrie Irving and the Nets won’t really challenge for anything this coming season.
Miami Heat
Let’s see…there’s Jimmy Butler and…wait for it…not a whole lot else in South Beach.
San Antonio Spurs
LaMarcus Aldridge is as soft as toilet tissue – and I mean the cheap kind from the dollar store!Dallas Mavericks
Luke Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis will be fun to watch. Unfortunately, the rest of the Mavs won’t be.
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson kicks off his season injured, but the Pelicans will be a blast to watch this season nonetheless.
Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic is really good – and really underrated. Unfortunately, he needs far more help than what he currently has.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings will be one of the most exciting teams to watch this coming season and I expect them to approach .500, led by De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley, first and foremost.
Atlanta Hawks
I love the upward trending Hawks behind Steph Curry clone Trae Young and athletic big man Zach Collins.
Detroit Pistons
Where are Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer when you really need them?
Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl Anthony Towns can talk the talk, but walking the walk is a whole other story. Just as the underachieving Andrew Wiggins.
Oklahoma City Thunder
If Chris Paul isn’t gone by the end of the calendar year, I’ll be completely stunned.
Memphis Grizzlies
Electrifying rookie point guard Ja Morant is going to be a superstar of the highest order – and he’ll be a winner as soon as he bolts Memphis in a few years.
Chicago Bulls
Coby White also looks like a future all-star and alongside Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen, the Bulls have the makings of a fantastic trio in the near future.
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is fantastic and Deandre Ayton looks like a future all-star. I’m thinking rookie Ty Jerome could surprise in a big way – before the dysfunctional Suns ruin it somehow, someway.
New York Knicks
Rookie shooting guard R.J. Barrett looks like a potential all-star and Kevin Knox is well on his way. I’m feeling some surprises coming for the Knicks this season, believe it or not.
Cleveland Cavaliers
If Kevin Love is still on Cleveland’s roster by the time Christmas rolls around, I’ll be stunned.
Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal just got paid big-time. Now, if the Wizards had three or four more players like him…
Charlotte Hornets
GM Mitch Kupchak is intent on his building his team the right way – and that means the Hornets won’t be winners until Michael Jordan’s grandkids are teenagers.
