The 2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers season ended in disappointment with a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, extending their playoff drought beyond expectations.
After finishing 50-32 in the regular season to capture the Pacific Division crown, the Lakers bowed out 4-1 despite the mid-season blockbuster trade that helped the team land its franchise player of the future, Luka Doncic.
However, Los Angeles has reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to add another All-NBA talent to the mix.
According to Bovada Sportsbook, the Lakers hold the best odds to land Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo in a trade this summer.
The Lakers have opened as favorites at +190 followed by the Memphis Grizzlies (+260), San Antonio Spurs (+300), Sacramento Kings (+375), Dallas Mavericks (+475), Chicago Bulls (+1000) and Boston Celtics (+1600).
If these odds hold, Los Angeles would be the clear frontrunner to pull off a deal for a player widely regarded as one of the premier two-way bigs in the game.
Since entering the league as the 14th overall pick in 2017, Adebayo has established himself as a three-time NBA All-Star and perennial All-Defensive Team member (First Team in 2024; four times Second Team).
Furthermore, he's an NBA Finals veteran, having helped the Heat reach the 2020 and 2023 Finals, and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, teaming up with current Lakers star LeBron James.
United States guard LeBron James (6) and center Bam Adebayo (13) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
United States guard LeBron James (6) and center Bam Adebayo (13) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images.
At just 27 years old, Adebayo represents a rare combination of peak physicality, defensive prowess and playmaking ability for a big man.
More importantly, his presence would address one of the Lakers’ most glaring roster deficiencies: interior defense and pick-and-roll containment, while still meshing with star creators like James and Doncic.