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LeBron James and the LA Lakers have had many ups and downs this season. However, the team has played fantastic basketball since the trade deadline and has a great chance to make the playoffs.
With nine games left in the regular season, the Lakers are 36-37, good for the ninth spot in the Western Conference. They've won their past two games and could move all the way up to the fourth spot.
Many fans and analysts believe that the Lakers could make it to the NBA Finals if LeBron and Anthony Davis are healthy. Kendrick Perkins, James' former teammate, is one of those people.
LeBron James could lead the LA Lakers to the NBA Finals if he's healthy
The West has been very competitive this season and it's hard to predict who will win the conference. The Phoenix Suns (38-34) are fourth, but are only three games ahead of the Utah Jazz (35-37), who are 12th.
Despite being without LeBron James, the LA Lakers have done a fantastic job lately and are tied for eighth spot with the Dallas Mavericks (36-37). However, once James returns, they could advance all the way to the finals.
"Yes, they [Lakers] can make it to the NBA Finals if LeBron and AD are healthy," Kendrick Perkins said when talking about the Lakers in the playoffs.
The former NBA player has praised Rob Pelinka for the moves he's made at the trade deadline. Perkins especially praised Jarren Vanderbilt and D'Angelo Russell, the two players the Lakers acquired in February.
You may be interested in reading: LA Lakers Playoffs chances: Current standings, fixtures ahead, and more as of March 23, 2023
Vanderbilt is a high-energy guy who plays well alongside Anthony Davis, while Russell is an underrated passer and a player who can score efficiently.
The Lakers still need to secure a playoff spot
With nine games left in the regular season, the LA Lakers haven't secured a playoff spot yet. If the season ended today, they would be matched up against the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament.
No one knows exactly when LeBron James will return. There have been rumors about him feeling better and preparing for his return. However, nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Lakers have the sixth-easiest remaining schedule in the league. They also have several huge games left to play, including matchups against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and OKC Thunder.
You may be interested in reading: LeBron James debunks news about his return from injury with a Twitter post: All you need to know
All of these games have major playoff implications and the Lakers will have to win them to move up in the standings. They are only 0.5 games behind the top play-in spot and 2.5 games behind the fourth-placed Suns.
