The next NBA Champion will be...
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Six days into the NBA’s free agent derby, oddsmakers have weighed in on the favorites to win the championship next June.
And the favorite? LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, who added Shaquille O’Neal in a trade with Phoenix last month, are favored by 7-4 odds to win the title next season, according to Beted.com.
The next favorite is the Lakers, who this month reached terms with free agent forward and loose cannon Ron Artest, but lost starter Trevor Ariza to Houston. The Lakers are still negotiating to resign valuable reserve big man Lamar Odom. The odds on the Lakers winning again next season are 2-1, according to Beted.com.
Next up is their archenemy, the Boston Celtics, who snagged free agent forward Rasheed Wallace at 9-2 odds. They are followed by the Orlando Magic, who lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals last month, at 5-1.
As for the Clippers, who signed the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, Blake Griffin, they are near the bottom, as usual, at 95-1 odds to win the NBA title next season.
-- Barry Stavro
