Can the Los Angeles Lakers make another deep playoff run?
The Los Angeles Lakers are having a disappointing season after reaching the Conference Finals the previous season. The Lakers were expected to be a dominant regular-season club this season, but despite LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ unusually healthy seasons, that has not been the case. Now 30-26 and seventh in the Western Conference, Los Angeles has a lot of work to do after the All-Star break to make a deep playoff run.
What should Lakers supporters expect from their squad throughout the last stretch of the season? Here are three big predictions for the Lakers’ next few months.
Austin Reaves Will Play Like the Third Star
At the start of the season, there were high hopes for Austin Reaves, especially after his standout performance in the latter part of the previous season and during the playoffs. It was anticipated that he would step up to shoulder much of the playmaking and scoring duties, taking some pressure off LeBron. However, for various reasons, this hasn’t materialized as expected.
Yet, Reaves’ recent performances have shown significant improvement. Over the course of seven games in February, he’s been averaging 20.3 points and 6.9 assists, shooting impressively at 51.1% from the field, 47.6% from beyond the arc, and 84.8% from the free-throw line. His minutes have been on the rise since he moved into the starting lineup.
Coach Darvin Ham’s decision to bench Reaves early in the season due to his struggles proved premature and ultimately a misstep. Reaves is proving himself as the team’s third-best player and should be treated accordingly.
With regained confidence in his role and playing time, I anticipate Reaves will finish the season strongly. It wouldn’t be surprising if he maintains an average of over 20 points per game for the remainder of the season.
The Lakers Will Win at Least One Playoff Series
The Lakers have recently enjoyed a winning streak, taking six victories in their last six games, with their sole defeat against the Denver Nuggets.
Historically, Los Angeles, led by LeBron James, tends to perform better as the season progresses, as evidenced by their 15-7 record following last year’s All-Star break. With players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura finding their groove, LeBron James and Anthony Davis back in good health, and the absence of trade rumors looming over the team, the Lakers seem poised for a strong finish.
Fortunately, the Lakers are only 3.5 games behind the fifth-seeded Phoenix Suns, giving them a good chance to secure a playoff berth and avoid the play-in tournament. Even if they enter the playoffs as a lower seed, as they did last year, they’ve demonstrated their ability to succeed in postseason series. Facing a potential matchup against young or inexperienced teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Minnesota Timberwolves could play to the Lakers’ advantage, potentially setting them up for a playoff upset.
The lack of a dominant force in the Western Conference, unlike the Boston Celtics in the East, means that the path to the NBA Finals appears wide open. This should inspire hope among Lakers fans as they look ahead to the playoffs, although overcoming the challenge posed by the Nuggets will be crucial for their championship aspirations.
The Lakers Will Add Trae Young in the Offseason
While the focus here leans more towards the offseason rather than the remainder of the current season, the potential magnitude of the suggested shakeup warrants discussion.
The Lakers opted to refrain from making any moves at the trade deadline, choosing not to pursue minor upgrades for the ongoing season. While this decision may have left Lakers fans somewhat disappointed, it does pave the way for General Manager Rob Pelinka to pursue more impactful transactions in the offseason.
Heading into the offseason, Los Angeles holds assets including three first-round draft picks and pick swaps, along with players like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent, whose salaries could facilitate potential trades. This provides the Lakers with numerous opportunities to acquire a third star player.
Among the potential targets, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks emerges as a prominent candidate. Speculation regarding a trade involving Young has already surfaced in the media, particularly as the Hawks may seek a new direction following the unsuccessful pairing of Young and Dejounte Murray. The Lakers possess a compelling package that could entice the Hawks.
Young’s skill set aligns well with the playing styles of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Renowned for his proficiency in pick-and-roll scenarios and exceptional passing ability, Young could alleviate some of the offensive burden on James while elevating the team’s overall performance. His potential addition might also influence James to extend his tenure with the Lakers, transforming them into immediate championship contenders.
As the Hawks potentially falter in the postseason, anticipation surrounding a potential move of Young to Los Angeles is likely to intensify, prompting the Lakers to explore their options come summer. This storyline is one to monitor closely in the coming months.
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