The consensus heading into the 2014-15 NBA season is the Los Angeles Lakers will not make the playoffs for a second consecutive season. With the Lakers only missing the postseason five times since moving to Los Angeles in 1960, the storied franchise is in unfamiliar territory with uncertain future ahead.
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Although Kobe Bryant is expected to be 100 percent healthy heading into next season, the Lakers aren’t expected to be a major threat in the Western Conference. As a result, Los Angeles has long odds to win a title.
According to Sportsbook.com, the Lakers have 90/1 odds to win the NBA championship next season.
As of right now, LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers are favored to win the title in 2015. The Cavs have 16/5 odds to come out on top followed by the San Antonio Spurs (4/1), Oklahoma City Thunder (13/2) and Chicago Bulls (9/1).
The Lakers have brought back the majority of the roster from last season that won a franchise-low 27 games. Nick Young, Jordan Hill, Xavier Henry, Wesley Johnson and Ryan Kelly will return along with Kobe, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre.
Fortunately, the Lakers were able to bring in a few veterans to help improve the roster with the additions of Jeremy Lin, Ed Davis, and Carlos Boozer. Even though none of these players are game-changers like LeBron or Carmelo Anthony would’ve been, the Lakers could defy the odds this season while trying to put the pieces back together in the twilight of Kobe’s career in Los Angeles.
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