Kansas basketball: Four Jayhawks’ chances of winning the 2020 NBA title

As the NBA prepares to tip off tomorrow, let’s take a look at the Kansas basketball players with the best odds to bring home an NBA Championship.

There are more than a  few Kansas basketball alumni that have a real chance to win an NBA title here in 2020. The last Jayhawk to win in the NBA Finals was Sasha Kaun with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and the four-year drought could be broken this season (odds courtesy of The Action Network).

Joel Embiid – Philadelphia 76ers +2000

Hands down the best Kansas Jayhawk in the league, Joel Embiid seeks to silence the haters and bring a championship back to Philadelphia. As one of the league’s best big-man, Embiid is averaging 23.4 ppg and 11.8 reb on the year.

While Philadelphia may be +2000 to win the NBA Finals, they are my pick for the best bet of the season. With Embiid being one of the toughest matchups in the NBA, Ben Simmons proving to be an elite defender, and Matisse Thybulle making a name for himself as a rookie, the 76ers are a threat to any team at any given time.

Marcus Morris – Los Angeles Clippers +310

Marcus Morris, a nine-year NBA veteran whose Kansas basketball jersey hangs in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse, looks to add to his trophy case as the Los Angeles Clippers come in at +310 to win the NBA Finals. Morris, like his twin brother Markieff, is known to be physical but is more of an offensive weapon than his brother averaging 19.6 ppg this season.

The Clippers led by self-proclaimed “Fun Guy” Kawhi Leonard look to take control of the L.A., the West, and the NBA by securing a spot in this year’s NBA Finals.

Frank Mason – Milwaukee Bucks +250

G-League player of the year, Frank Mason, looks to get his shot with the Bucks to prove he deserves a full-time role in the rotation. Mason averaged 42.5 percent from beyond the arc while averaging a league-best 26.4 ppg in the G League. With Eric Bledsoe testing positive for Covid-19 and his timeline to return to the bubble uncertain, the former Jayhawk should expect to see an increase in usage throughout the first few games.

The Bucks come in at +250 odds to win the NBA Championship, second-best in the league. With arguably the strongest roster in the NBA, the Bucks will look to likely MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and their NBA leading defense to carry them to the NBA Finals.

Markieff Morris – Los Angeles Lakers +250

Markieff Morris comes in with some of the best odds to win an NBA Championship this season as the Los Angeles Lakers sit with +250 odds. With a reputation as one of the most physical players around the league, Morris is in his first season with the Lakers.

Known to bump elbows and swing hips down low, he is a nightmare for frontcourts as he beats his opponents up little by little throughout the game while putting up 11 ppg. Led by the king, Lebron James, the Lakers are looking to run through the opposition in Orlando and bring home their 17th NBA Championship.