Dwight Howard aids Lakers’ championship chances

The Orlando Magic finally decided to pull the trigger on the Dwight Howard trade, sending the All-Star center to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team deal including the Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets.

That massive move shook the NBA futures odds in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, which had taken a lot of futures bets on the Lakers before the trade, trimmed the Lakers' NBA championship odds from +800 to +500 after Howard's arrival to Tinseltown. The Lakers made waves earlier in the offseason by adding veteran point guard and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash.

The 76ers sent forward Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets but added Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson. The 76ers are sitting at +3000 odds to win the title. The Nuggets are also at +3000 to win the title.

Odds to Win the NBA Championship

Miami Heat +225

Oklahoma City Thunder +450

Los Angeles Lakers +500

Chicago Bulls +900

San Antonio Spurs +900

Boston Celtics +1900

Indiana Pacers +2400

Denver Nuggets +2900

Los Angeles Clippers +2900

Philadelphia 76ers +2900

Dallas Mavericks +3900

New York Knicks +3900

Brooklyn Nets +4900

Atlanta Hawks +7400

Milwaukee Bucks +9900

Utah Jazz +9900

Portland Trail Blazers +9900

Minnesota Timberwolves +9900

Houston Rockets +9900

Golden State Warriors +9900

New Orleans Hornets +9900

Cleveland Cavaliers +9900

Sacramento Kings +19900

Phoenix Suns +19900

Orlando Magic +19900

Detroit Pistons +19900

Washington Wizards +19900

Toronto Raptors +49900

Charlotte Bobcats +99900

Odds provided by The Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

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