Coming into this offseason, no one really knew what to think of the Lakers. They had just shockingly missed the playoffs in 2019 with a 37-45 record, they had no President of Basketball operations as the great Magic Johnson resigned, no coach, as Luke Walton had gotten fired and one most of the turmoil front offices the NBA had ever seen.
But then came June 15th, as two days after a shocking and memorable NBA Finals, the Lakers shook the NBA to its core, by acquiring superstar center Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, and later the Washington Wizards.
The Lakers happily gave away their young core in this trade, as the Pelicans received Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and 3 future first round picks in exchange for AD. While also reviving $11 million from the Pelicans.
The Wizards in this deal acquired some more of the Lakers youngsters in Mo Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemrio Jones, and a second round pick.
This deal, not only paired two superstars on the Lakers in Lebron James and Anthony Davis, but also gave the Lakers enough cap space to go sign Kwahi Lenord. But now as you know, Lenord shocked the NBA, by going to the Clippers along with Paul George leaving the Lakers stunned and in panic mode looking how to respond to their rivals mega acquisitions.
They did just that, as using the “If You Fall Down, you better get back up” motto, the Lakers went out and signed, Jared Dundly, Quinn Cook, Demarcus Cousins, Danny Green and brought back Rajon Rondo and Javle Mgee.
These veteran signings increased the Lakers depth, which in a lot of people’s eyes made them the championship favorites because of not only the superstar power they had, but with these acquisitions, it allows the Lakers to spread the ball around on the court more, and with stylish coaches in Frank Vogol and Jason Kidd, the Lakers are now looking like the team to beat in the West, a year removed from missing the playoffs.
However, there is a big “IF” to all of this and that’s why I don’t see the Lakers as the championship favorites.
A lot of these players the Lakers now have on their revamped roster have had injury and chemistry issues , with some being as recent as last season. An example of that is Demarcus Cousins, who has been mostly injured the last two seasons.
A chemistry issue example would be coming from the coaching staff in Jason Kidd, as he has upset ownerships in the past in his coaching career, by not really getting along with the players and ruining their chemistry.
So that’s why I see the Clippers as the title favorites, but not by much. In my opinion, if the Lakers are healthy come playoff time and their chemistry is flowing, they will be the team you see on paper. Good, hungry and winning. But until then, I see the Clippers raising their game in the playoffs and defeating the Lakers in a potential Western Conference Playoff matchup.
PREDICTION: 53-29. 3rd in the West (Lose head 2 head vs Clippers for 2nd) Eliminated in RD 2 by Clippers.
Via Jared Dundly on Twitter.
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