The LeBron James - Lakers era lasted 2,945 days. In those 2,945 days, LA won a total of one NBA championship. Relative to other Lakers eras, the LeBron era was lackluster in terms of winning.
Now that Luka Doncic is the unquestioned alpha at Crypto.com Arena, there is a renewed sense of hope for many Lakers fans.
The Lakers are far from a favorite to win the NBA title this year, but the 2026-27 season offers a fresh start for one of the league’s marquee franchises.
Doncic took out a full-page ad in the LA Times today, promising Lakers fans that he will stop at nothing to deliver them the 18th championship banner in franchise history.
“Tonight we start our run for a championship,” Doncic’s ad read. “Every player dreams of holding that trophy. To do it for all of your amazing fans would mean everything to us.
“We have a special team. We know what you expect, and we are going to do everything in our power to deliver it.”
Lakers odds
Here is a look at Lakers team odds at Fanatics Sportsbook.
- Lakers NBA title odds: +3500
- Western Conference title odds: +1800
- Pacific Division title odds: -180
- To Make the Playoffs odds: Yes -400/No +310
- Win total: Over 46.5 (-105)/Under 46.5 (-105)
The Lakers now have a “Big 3” of Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler. Matisse Thybulle, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes, Jake LaRavia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Cameron Carr, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Adou Thiero should all see major minutes throughout the course of the season.
JJ Redick’s squad is younger and faster than in previous seasons. Whether or not that translates to more wins remains to be seen.
LA went 50-32 in 2024-25 in Redick’s first season on the Lakers bench, and 53-29 this past season. The Lakers were bounced by the Timberwolves in Round 1 in 2024-25, and were swept by the Thunder in Round 2 this past spring.
There are 12 teams that appear ahead of the Lakers (+3500) on Fanatics Sportsbook’s NBA title odds board. They are the Thunder (+250), Spurs (+280), Knicks (+850), 76ers (+900), Celtics (+1400), Timberwolves (+2200), Raptors (+2200), Cavaliers (+2500), Nuggets (+2500), Pistons (+2500), Rockets (+3000), and Heat (+3000).
Redick’s crew is the favorite to win the Pacific Division, as it is -180. The Suns are +300 and the Warriors are +400.
The Lakers’ win total has been set at 46.5. They have eclipsed that number in each of the past three seasons.
Luka Doncic odds
Luka is currently +500 at Fanatics to win the 2026-27 NBA MVP award. Only Victor Wembanyama (+200) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+350) have shorter odds.
Doncic finished fourth in MVP voting last season. In his last full season in Dallas (2023-24), Luka finished third in MVP voting.
He is also +1100 to win Clutch Player of the Year.
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