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

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.