This is an important week in the NBA as the 2020 trade deadline is on Thursday afternoon. Thus, following the deadline should be the last time there are any significant changes to the championship futures odds – barring major injury/suspension, etc., to a contender, of course.

Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com

Perhaps it would be fitting for the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 17th NBA title come June, which would tie the Boston Celtics for most in league history. The Lakers haven’t won it all since 2010 when they were led by the legendary Kobe Bryant, who was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career.

Of course, Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others were tragically killed in a helicopter accident on January 26 in Los Angeles – barely 12 hours after Bryant was passed as the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer by current Laker LeBron James. Bryant’s death was felt all around the world, and obviously the most by the Laker organization. Kobe played 20 seasons with the Lakers and holds many significant team records. The Lakers, who could be extra motivated now to win a title for Kobe, are +250 title favorites.