The New Orleans Pelicans were the big NBA draft lottery winners on Tuesday night, and Las Vegas took notice.
The Pelicans came into the evening tied for the worst 2019-20 NBA title odds at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook at 300-1, but their odds were lowered to 25-1 (tied for 10th-best) after they secured the No. 1 pick and the right to (presumably) draft Zion Williamson.
Williamson is currently a -2500 favorite (bet $2,500 to win $100) at DraftKings sportsbook to be drafted No. 1 overall.
New Orleans had only a 6 percent chance to win the lottery.
The Memphis Grizzlies (also previously at 300-1) moved up to 100-1 after winning the right to pick No. 2.
Title odds for both the New York Knicks (No. 3 spot) and Los Angeles Lakers (No. 4) remained unchanged at 16-1.
“We think it’s a lot more likely that Anthony Davis decides maybe New Orleans isn’t so bad now that they’re getting Zion,” Westgate director John Murray told ESPN. “We’re not going to raise the Knicks’ odds yet, but this may reduce their chances of landing Kevin Durant.”
The Golden State Warriors are the +175 favorites to win next year’s title at the SuperBook. The Milwaukee Bucks have the second-best odds at +450.