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The LA Lakers will be one of the must-watch sides when the 2021-22 NBA season begins next month.
The 2020 champions have been the most active team this offseason, making plenty of changes to their squad ahead of the new campaign. A lot has been said about their squad, which will be the oldest in the NBA next season.
The Lakers have ten players aged 32 or more on their roster for the 2021-22 NBA season. Some believe the LA Lakers are clear favorites to win the title, while others think they aren't even the best team in the Western Conference.
Only time will tell if their overreliance on experienced veterans turns out to be a masterstroke or a failed gamble. On that note, here are our bold predictions for the LA Lakers' upcoming campaign. So without any further ado, let's get started.
#5 Carmelo Anthony to play the most minutes apart from the LA Lakers' 'big-three'
Carmelo Anthony was one of the most high-profile free-agent signings the LA Lakers made this offseason. Anthony is way past his prime, but has shown glimpses of his potential as a difference-maker in his last two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The 37-year-old played a career-low 24 minutes per game last season. He averaged 13.7 points on 42% field-goal shooting. Anthony may not have played the kind of role he would have liked, but that is something that could change with the LA Lakers.
There is a great chance he might bag a starting role for the 17-time champions. Even if he comes off the bench, the LA Lakers could give him the most minutes apart from Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Anthony is still an efficient scorer, and a lethal threat from the three-point range. That could see him play a more prominent role with the LA Lakers than what he had with the Trail Blazers.
#4 LeBron James to win the MVP award, Anthony Davis the DPOY
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are by far one of the best, if not the best, duos in the NBA right now. The pair did not take long to find their chemistry going, winning the championship in their first season together in 2019-20. They looked good to win another title last season before both players suffered long-term injuries.
On their days, James and Davis can be unstoppable at both ends of the floor. That means the duo could win individual honors next season with the LA Lakers, if they stay fit.
LeBron James was one of the favorites to win the MVP award in the last two seasons. His hopes of winning the award last season ended after he suffered a long-term ankle injury. But with a better team around him this season and a primary ball-handler like Russell Westbrook likely to do most of the playmaking, James could see a spike in his production.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis seems to be more motivated than ever heading into next season. He has even hired a new trainer to ensure he stays healthy and available for his team for large swathes.
Davis, though, will have to be huge at the defensive end for the LA Lakers. That's one area the Lakers might struggle next season after the departures of Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious-Caldwell Pope and Alex Caruso.
Davis has been in the reckoning for winning the DPOY award in the past. The 2021-22 season might see him win the award for the first time in his career.
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#3 Russell Westbrook to adapt playing alongside LeBron James quicker than expected
When the LA Lakers signed Russell Westbrook via trade, the move was looked at with skepticism by many. That's because Westbrook needs the ball with him to be effective, which makes his fit alongside someone like LeBron James quite questionable.
LeBron James has been the primary ball-handler for the Lakers since arriving at the team. So he could have a clash of egos with Westbrook if they do not figure out a way to share responsibilities.
However, the LA Lakers look determined to win the Championship next season. That means Westbrook is likely to adjust quicker to the Lakers' setup, and James could play a key role in ensuring that. James has played with multiple All-Stars over the years. So he could make life easier for Westbrook next season.
Moreover, the Lakers have wanted to take the ball-handling and playmaking pressure off LeBron James so that he can unleash his potential at the scoring end. The addition of Westbrook makes sense from that perspective, especially if James plays more off the ball next season.
#2 LA Lakers to take time to get going, but could finish the season strong
The LA Lakers have many new faces added to their roster for next season, with many of them having never played with each other. That means the team could struggle to get going initially, resulting in an underwhelming start to their campaign. However, considering the many experienced players playing together, the Lakers shouldn't take too long to find their mojo.
Nevertheless, a slow start could see them endure a .500 winning % through the first 15-20 games of the season. However, once the players get familiar with each other, the Lakers could become a force to be reckoned with.
The LA Lakers could even end as the top side in the Western Conference.
#1 No team to take a series to seven games against the LA Lakers
The LA Lakers' 'old' squad may not have the most dominant regular season, but come playoff time, they could be a handful for most opponents. The Lakers will likely make the NBA Finals. The bold prediction for their playoff campaign is that they might win all their series without being taken to a decider.
Considering the experience at their disposal, the Lakers could have one of the most high-IQ lineups to outsmart opponents in crunch situations. They have many players with the clutch gene, which should massively aid in their quest for a second title in three years.
