Odds to be Lakers Starting Point Guard in 2019-20: Kemba Listed as Heavy Favorite
By Robert Duff in NBA Basketball
Updated: July 2, 2019 at 4:40 pm EDTPublished:
- Bookmaker is offering a prop wager on who will be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019-20
- Free agent Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets is the prohibitive favorite
- Point guard Lonzo Ball went to the New Orleans Pelicans in Satuday’s Anthony Davis deal
The Los Angeles Lakers have an opening for a starting point guard, and Bookmaker thinks that Kemba Walker is the one to fill that void.
The sportsbook is out with a prop bet offering odds on who will be the starting point guard for the Lakers when the 2019-20 NBA regular season gets underway, and Charlotte Hornets guard Walker is the prohibitive favorite.
Bookmaker lists Walker at odds of +140. Jimmy Butler of the Philadelphia 76ers is a distant second betting choice at +659.
2019-20 Starting Point Guard For Los Angeles Lakers Odds
| Player | Odds at Bookmaker |
|---|---|
| Kemba Walker | +140 |
| Jimmy Butler | +659 |
| DeAngelo Russell | +765 |
| Ricky Rubio | +803 |
| Patrick Beverly | +835 |
| Malcolm Brogdon | +884 |
| Kyrie Irving | +999 |
| Rajon Rondo | +1406 |
| Darren Collison | +1514 |
| Derrick Rose | +1928 |
| Field (Any Other Player) | +657 |
*Odds taken 06/16/19.
Lonzo Ball, who started the most games (45) at point guard for the Lakers last season, was part of the package shipped to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday that brought all-star center/forward Anthony Davis to Los Angeles.
Veteran Rajon Rondo is the most experienced point guard currently on the roster.
Kemba is Lakers’ Target
The news had barely broken that Davis was coming to LA when speculation shifted toward Kemba. NBA sources reported that Walker was the Lakers’ no. 1 free-agent target.
Kemba Walker will be a top target in free agency for the Lakers after they reached an agreement in principle to trade for Anthony Davis, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 15, 2019
Walker, 29, who made his first NBA All-Star Team last season, has spent his entire eight-season career with the Hornets. He can get a super max contract of $221.3 million over five years if he stays in Charlotte. The most LA can offer him is a four-year deal worth $140.6 million.
Will He Stay or Will He Go?
Walker has stated he’d be wiling to take less than a max contract to remain with the Hornets. But Kemba also noted that he was quite prepared to leave Charlotte.
More from Kemba Walker on upcoming free agency.
*Says #Hornets No. 1 priority
*Prepared to play elsewhere
*Would be willing to take less than Super Max to help team-build pic.twitter.com/pvlTVihxl9— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) June 13, 2019
Walker has basically been alone on an island during his time with the Hornets. He’s never been provided with a reliable second option. The likelihood of that happening in the near future is poor.
Name the best teammates Kemba Walker has ever had on the Hornets.
— Inside Hoops – NBA Playoffs (@InsideHoops) June 16, 2019
The Hornets already have $100 million in salary cap space spoken for even before trying to get Walker’s name on a new deal. If an NBA Championship is something he desires, Kemba isn’t going to locate one in Charlotte.
Other Options
Following their bad break up in Cleveland, it wouldn’t be prudent to wager on a LeBron-Kyrie Irving reunion.
Jimmy Butler figures to be Plan B. He’s also had issues in the past, although Butler enjoyed a strong postseason with the Sixers.
Kemba Walker,
pleaseCome to LA and be my neighbor. Now we str8.— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) June 15, 2019
Make no mistake, Walker is the guy they want. The Lakers didn’t go get Davis to settle on a second-rate point guard.
Historically, the Lakers are like purple-and-gold Mounties. They always get their man.
Play a unit on them landing Walker, and perhaps throw a small bet on Butler as an insurance policy.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
