Best bets to become next Lakers starting point guard
All it takes is one trade or free-agent signing to cause a ripple effect in the betting markets.
Following the Los Angeles Lakers' trade for Anthony Davis over the weekend, the attention turns to how the franchise will round out the rest of the roster in its pursuit of a championship. And you can bet on it.
With a glaring hole in the L.A. backcourt, shops are now hanging a prop bet on who'll be the Lakers' starting point guard next fall.
Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kemba Walker | +300 |
| Kyrie Irving | +400 |
| Jimmy Butler | +721 |
| D'Angelo Russell | +825 |
| Patrick Beverley | +883 |
| Ricky Rubio | +1038 |
| Malcolm Brogdon | +1363 |
| Rajon Rondo | +1500 |
| Darren Collison | +1918 |
| Derrick Rose | +2490 |
| Field | +283 |
From that 10-player list - plus the field - there are about as many potential targets who make sense as a fit as those who don't. Players with shorter odds have been linked to the Lakers in some form or another, so we can't exactly cheat the system. First, we'll trim some fat and eliminate those names who won't be at the point for the purple and gold next season. Then, we'll look at the players - both expected and surprising - who are most likely to serve as the floor general for a potential Lakers renaissance.
Players we'd rule out
Malcolm Brogdon
Brogdon would be a sneaky-good fit alongside LeBron James and Davis as a combo guard who can take the load off the star duo defensively. However, Brogdon is a restricted free agent and the Milwaukee Bucks can match any offer. The cap-crunched Lakers need to be crafty in how they spend, so we don't think they'll go that deep into their wallets.
D'Angelo Russell
"I don't want L.A. to be any part of my legacy as far as what I left behind." Those words came straight from the mouth of Russell, who experienced a resurgence with the Brooklyn Nets after enduring a tumultuous start to his career with the Lakers. We don't foresee a reunion between the two parties.
Jimmy Butler
Butler is a real possibility for L.A., though we're skeptical he opens the season playing the point.
Players we'd recommend betting
Kemba Walker
In the quest for another top-flight player, we'd bet the Lakers wind up with Walker. L.A. would have a max slot available if the Davis trade becomes official July 30, but who's to say the Lakers can't finagle their way to landing Walker for less than the max? The star point guard has said he's open to leaving money on the table for the Hornets; he might be open to doing the same to go ring chasing.
Rajon Rondo
The Lakers' brass will probably move Rondo down on the list of priorities to get some new flavor, but there's the obvious connection between him and Davis from their time in New Orleans that makes too much sense, especially for a player who was with L.A. last season.
Derrick Rose
Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler believes it's "very possible" the Lakers go after Rose, but any cheap point guard on the market will be linked to L.A. if you read deep enough. However, Rose did meet with the Lakers in free agency two summers ago and has experience playing with James during their stint in Cleveland. He's also inexpensive and coming off a bounce-back season. It's a long shot, but we'd take a small flier on it.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.