The Los Angeles Lakers Are Favoured to Be Repeat Champions in 2021

• After a dramatic 4-2 series against the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers claimed their 17th NBA title!
• This is the Lakers’ first championship since 2010.
• LeBron James won his fourth NBA Finals MVP Award.

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Your 2020 NBA Champion, Los Angeles Lakers

“This historic 2020 NBA championship belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers!” pic.twitter.com/LVmDZ3BB6s

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 12, 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers are the winners of the 2020 NBA Championship. After defeating the Miami Heat 106-103 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Lakers earned the right to raise a championship banner for the 17th time in the team’s history. Various sportsbooks are already looking forward at the odds to win the 2021 NBA Championship and the Lakers are favoured to repeat.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lakers are the favourites to win the 2021 NBA Championship with +350 odds. The next team with the best odds to win the 2021 NBA Championship are their crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers – who were eliminated in the 2020 Western Conference Semi-Finals by the Denver Nuggets.

Free Agent Priorities and Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis simply imposing his will.

(?: ABC) pic.twitter.com/plEdqKXhFF

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 12, 2020

Given their tremendous performance in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, and their superstar combination of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it’s no surprise that the Lakers are the favourites for the 2021 NBA title as well. While there is still the situation of Anthony Davis’ impending free agency to consider, there is little to suggest that the first-time champion and seven-time All-Star would be interested in leaving La-La Land.

With eight unrestricted free agents coming off the books this offseason, the Lakers are certainly in a re-tooling phase as they prepare for their 2021 title defence. Players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo are sure to receive lucrative offers from other teams after their finals performances. The Los Angeles front office will also surely want to sort out their shooting issues while maintaining a veteran roster.

Can the Clippers Prove Themselves Worthy Rivals?

Despite the LA Clippers’ underwhelming performance in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, they are understandably the public’s second favourite for the 2021 NBA title. Kawhi Leonard remains one of the NBA’s brightest talents and best leaders, but even they need to re-tool in order to reach the NBA Finals. Paul George disappointed in the playoffs while Montrezl Harrell is one of the leagues most coveted free agents. What they do in the offseason will define whether or not they can be true contenders, with Leonard’s free agency in 2021 looming.