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Los Angeles Lakers 2022-23 Season Preview and Best Bet (Odds, Offseason Moves and More)

By Donnavan Smoot

Oct 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) looks on from
Oct 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) looks on from / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers stole the headlines this offseason, but for all the wrong reasons. Their vacation time was marred by Russell Westbrook trade talks that eventually went nowhere, cryptic media spats, and a general confusion of the franchise’s direction. 

They come into this season after missing the playoffs last season. Anthony Davis is back – and hopefully healthy – and so the Lakers feel they have a real shot to get back into the postseason and make some noise. 

However, many of the questions we had about the Lakers at the end of last season are still there. Will the addition of Darvin Ham as head coach and a roster overhaul be the key to getting the Lakers back to prominence?

Los Angeles Lakers Offseason Moves and Additions

Key Lakers Roster Additions:

  • Patrick Beverley (Trade)
  • Lonnie Walker IV (Free Agency)
  • Juan Toscano Anderson (Free Agency)
  • Scotty Pippen Jr (Free Agency)
  • Damian Jones (Free Agency)
  • Troy Brown Jr (Free Agency)

Key Lakers Roster Losses:

  • Talen Horton-Tucker (Trade)
  • Stanley Johnson (Trade)

Los Angeles Lakers Odds to Win NBA Championship, Make Playoffs and Win Total

  • Odds to Win NBA Finals: +2500
  • Odds to Win Western Conference: +1100
  • Make Playoffs: -245
  • Win Total: 44.5 (Over +104/Under -128)

Los Angeles Lakers Best Bet for 2022-23 NBA Season

We’re just a few days into the preseason and Anthony Davis is already resting due to injury. If he’s not on the court, this is a doomed Laker season from the start. LeBron James is going to go into the playoffs 38 years old. He can’t be averaging 30 points a night and playing close to 40 minutes a night too. 

There’s also the fact that Russell Westbrook isn’t a good fit for this team. Unless he significantly changes his game, the Lakers are set for another year of injuries and drama. 

Also, outside of the Big 3, the Lakers are devoid of talent. They have several players that would normally be the 11th, 12th and 13th man on a team in the 8th, 9th, and 10th role for the Lakers. 

I don’t see the upside with Los Angeles as is, and I’m willing to bet on it. 

You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. 

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