LeBron James informed the Lakers he would not be returning for the 2026-27 season. Corey Sipkin for NY Post See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add The New York Post on Google Apparently, less LeBron James is more for the Lakers.
Despite being on the verge of losing the NBA legend, the purple and gold’s 2027 title chances have improved in recent days with a new era taking shape in Los Angeles.
The Lakers were +4500 at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy next season Tuesday morning before blockbuster news emerged of James’ impending departure.
Now, after a flurry of moves to bolster their post-James roster, the Lakers are +3300 to win it all, the 11th-best odds on the board.
The shift follows the addition of young center Walker Kessler, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade with the Jazz in exchange for unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The Lakers continued their busy Tuesday by adding Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Sandro Mamukelashvili in free agency, rounding out a rotation now built around Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Kessler.
The oddsmakers’ move suggests there is at least some belief the Lakers are better positioned with a deeper, younger roster built around their 27-year-old superstar rather than another season centered on James’ timeline.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls on January 26, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Kessler gives Los Angeles the rim protection and vertical threat it badly needed next to Doncic, while Sexton and Grimes add athleticism, scoring punch and perimeter defense to a roster that had grown stale.
Still, there is a long way to go before Los Angeles can claim true contender status.
The Thunder and Spurs, who are co-Finals favorites at +260, remain in another stratosphere, while the Nuggets (+2200) and Timberwolves (+2700) are also a step above the Lakers in the eyes of oddsmakers.
In the East, six teams — the Celtics (+700), Knicks (+850), Raptors (+2200), Pistons (+2200), Cavaliers (+2200) and Heat (+3000) — all have better championship odds than the Lakers.
Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He’s particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.
