The Los Angeles Lakers currently seem ill-equipped to compete for an NBA championship, yet that hasn’t deterred American sports bettors from placing wagers on LeBron James and Luka Dončić to achieve glory.

James appears to be battling age, while Dončić has faced difficulties on the defensive end, and the Lakers lacked a significant center during their first-round defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The situation appears grim without an obvious remedy in sight. Historically, James has taken risks to secure wins, but the Lakers have already sacrificed their future for current success. Outside of Dalton Knecht, there are not many young assets to trade.

On live TV, former Lakers great and NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal expressed his blunt view on the team’s struggles, stating simply, “They’re just not good.”

Despite struggles, the Lakers continue to attract betting interest. One gambler placed a $1,000 bet on the Lakers at odds of 50/1 before their playoff game.

Jeff Sherman, a vice president at SuperBook, noted: “It’s the Lakers who have falsely low odds. This has been the trend for a long time, particularly with two stars like James and Dončić on board.”

Sherman anticipates opening the Lakers with odds of 10 to 12/1 for the next championship, adjusting after assessing competition from teams like the Thunder, Spurs, and Rockets. In contrast, establishing a low betting line for the Lakers remains critical.

One seasoned bettor remarked, “I wouldn’t bet the Lakers with your money. LeBron’s at a stage where he’s just accumulating stats. It’s impressive, but he no longer has the capacity to lead a deep playoff run on his own.”

In the end, the sentiment among analysts and bettors alike is clear: betting on the Lakers to make a significant impact seems misplaced.