NBA 2018-19 Playoff Chances: The Los Angeles Lakers seem destined for failure

The Los Angeles Lakers were considered one of the strongest teams in the NBA this season, based just on one simple fact: They signed the best player in the NBA, LeBron James in the offseason, which instantly made them one of the best teams in the league again. Yet, they have been abysmal this season, with injuries to almost all their starters, James, forcing them to drop out of the playoff spots.

The Lakers have not had that bad a season. But when you have arguably the greatest player in NBA history on your team, the expectations bound to you are always at a greater level. They are currently 10th in the Western Conference, with a 30-33 record and are 4.5 games behind the 8th seed San Antonio Spurs and 5 games behind the 7th seed Los Angeles Clippers. With this in mind, let us look at the playoff chances for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.

Positive Signs:

1. Kyle Kuzma:

Los Angeles Lakers have unearthed a future superstar in Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma has been a revelation since he was picked as the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He has been the livewire for the Lakers since the start of the season, becoming a great scorer. Kuzma has averaged a career-high 18.9 points per game this season, a jump from his 16 points per game last season.

He is getting 5.6 rebounds per game as well and is great as a stretch 4 for the Lakers. His stint at the 5 has not been fruitful but he can play the 5 in a small ball lineup, giving the Lakers something to work with. He has been a really bright spot in a rather underwhelming season for the Lakers, where they look destined to drop out of the playoff race.

2. Brandon Ingram:

Los Angeles Lakers seem to be getting the best of Ingram lately

Brandon Ingram had been a shell of himself all season in the 2018-19 games. He has been unable to find a role next to LeBron. Ingram was not a shooting guard, neither a power forward and it had started affecting his game. A 4 game suspension after a tussle with the Rockets and an injury in the middle had only dropped his stock further.

When LeBron went down with an injury, Ingram shone brightly for them and has not let go since. He has averaged 18.3 points per game this season, along with 5.1 rebounds and 3 assists as well. In the month of February, Ingram was superb, scoring 21.3 points a game, along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game, showing that he really can switch gears if given a chance. With him and Kuzma, the Lakers' future looks bright.

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Negative Signs:

1. Lack of a playoff push:

Los Angeles Lakers look likely to miss playoffs every passing day

The Los Angeles Lakers were widely expected to be one of the strongest teams this season with the addition of LeBron James in the off-season and they were flying high in 4th place until LeBron went down with a groin injury against the Golden State Warriors.

Since then and even after his return, the Lakers have looked lackluster, falling down to 10th spot in the Western Conference. In their last 5 games, they have lost 4 and to teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA's worst, Phoenix Suns, which seems unbelievable given the lofty standards they have set for themselves.

They need to win a massive 15 games or more if they need to make the playoffs for sure and it is going to be a herculean task, even for LeBron.

2. Bad management decisions:

Los Angeles Lakers seem to have left LeBron all on his own

The Lakers management signed the one they targeted in LeBron James, but then went ahead and made some questionable signings like Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, JaVale McGee, and Rajon Rondo which led to some doubts about their playoff credentials.

They resigned Kentavious-Caldwell Pope to a one year deal but let a young upcoming star in Julius Randle walk for free. Stephenson is known more for his antics than his basketball, same with Beasley (who has since been released).

JaVale McGee was more well known for his "Shaqtin-A-Fool" moments than his on-court ones while Rondo seemed like the only one with fire like LeBron's to win, but could not stay on the court. They essentially left James all alone with a bunch of talented youngsters to push them for a title or a playoff run, which seems unlikely now.

They even managed to mess up trading for Anthony Davis and ended up offering all of their young stars in Kuzma, Ingram, Ball, Zubac but it only dented their team chemistry. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and president of basketball operations Magic Johnson have a lot of questions to answer for wasting a season of LeBron at the Lakers.

The Future:

1. Anthony Davis trade:

Anthony Davis might just be the face of the Lakers with James next season

Anthony Davis had made it clear to the New Orleans Pelicans that he will not be signing a new deal with them when his current deal expired and wished to be traded as soon as possible.

With the Boston Celtics unable to trade for him while Irving was still on the books, the stage was set for the Los Angeles Lakers to swoop in and make this happen. But in the end, the trade deadline passed and the Lakers left empty-handed.

Now they will have to compete with the Celtics as well but given that Davis' first choice is the Lakers and that he and James share a common agent, there is still a possibility that Davis suits up for the Lakers sooner than later.

2. 2019 Free Agency:

Kevin Durant is among the stars looking to move on

The 2019 free agency is one that can have some NBA-changing repercussions, with a wide number of stars looking to hit the free agency market. From transcendental talents like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard to elite superstars like Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler to secondary superstars like Khris Middleton, Tobias Harris - all of such players are hitting the market and the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to recruit at least one of these transcendental players to pair with LeBron James.

They will be hoping to get someone that will be able to push them to the next level and if they manage to sign Anthony Davis as well, there will be no stopping them.

Final rating to make the playoffs: 4/10

The Los Angeles Lakers seem destined for failure and even with LeBron James flipping a switch, there seems no way out of this hole that they have dug themselves into.

They will definitely need a miracle and some insane basketball from LeBron James to sneak into the playoffs this season.