How will the trade of Luka Doncic affect the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics? One of the oldest and arguably best not only in the NBA but all of professional sports, the Celtics have recently had the upper hand in terms of total titles won after finally hanging Banner 18 in the 2024 NBA Finals last year.

The Lakers’ blockbuster addition dramatically moved them up the oddsboard as a legitimate threat to win the NBA Finals, with Los Angeles shifting from 40/1 down to 14/1 at BetMGM Sportsbook. Those 14/1 odds are tied for the fifth-best mark, and the Lakers are unlikely to be done dealing ahead of Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.

In Doncic’s first game with Los Angeles, the star pair flashed immediate chemistry that showed how their unexpected partnership can work.