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The LA Lakers had one of the most exciting offseasons in the NBA. With a number of pieces being moved around, the Lakers managed to assemble a team for the ages with some of the most renowned names to ever play the game.
As the hype towards the debut of the Lakers' new roster continued to build up, the preseason opener ushered in the start of another championship campaign. However, the franchise hit some roadblocks that put a significant question mark on their title run.
With a five-game losing streak heading into their preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, the LA Lakers have a lot of adjustments to make in order to establish themselves as contenders.
The Lakers could potentially emerge as the best side in the NBA this season and have one of the most talented rosters in NBA history. There are a number of players who could contribute in a number of ways, scoring being one of the key factors.
With the addition of players such as Russell Westbrook and the return of Rajon Rondo, the LA Lakers have acquired two great playmakers who know how to get their teammates involved. Should the offense start clicking with these two running the floor, the possibilities of what this team could deliver upon are endless.
Keeping the potential of the franchise in mind, in this article, we aim to predict the LA Lakers' top five scorers in the 2021-22 NBA season.
#5 Malik Monk
While he is an unexpected entry to this list, there is a good reason for this. Malik Monk was one of the most underrated signings the LA Lakers made in the offseason. Monk played the first four years of his career with the Charlotte Hornets.
Although he didn't emerge as an offensive threat with the side, there has been a steady rise in his scoring numbers with each season. Heading into his fifth NBA campaign, Monk signed with the extremely stacked LA Lakers and made his preseason debut with the side.
In the three games that Monk has played with the Lakers in the preseason, he has emerged as their most potent scoring threat. His ability to create shots for himself is strongly supported by his natural tendency to get hot from beyond the arc after seeing a few shots fall in.
Monk isn't expected to start in the rotations so far, and is expected to come off the bench sporadically. However, he could be a significant scoring contributor and average over 14 points a game if he is given the minutes to play.
#4 Carmelo Anthony
One of the biggest moves the LA Lakers made in the offseason was signing Carmelo Anthony. Anthony's arrival ushered in an opportunity for audiences to finally see him play alongside longtime rival LeBron James.
At the age of 37, Anthony is far from his best. But after a career revival with the Portland Trail Blazers, he still has a lot left to offer. As a top 10 all-time points leader, Anthony will continue to make his mark in NBA history as he hopes to surpass Moses Malone on the list.
With one of the most polished offensive games and consistent shooting from beyond the arc, Anthony is a genuine scoring threat on the LA Lakers' roster. Last season, he averaged 13.4 points while shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc.
With the presence of playmakers such as Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo and LeBron James who can find him open, we can expect an increase in these numbers. Anthony could potentially average over 16 points a game if he can continue to perform in the limited minutes he is given.
#3 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook was the most noteworthy signing by the LA Lakers in the 2021 NBA offseason. Westbrook's addition to the roster was met by mixed opinions overall. However, the acquisition of the league leader in all-time triple doubles as well as one of the most explosive guards to ever play the game made the Lakers title favorites in an instant.
Westbrook is at his best when the offense is run by him. His last season with the Washington Wizards saw him record averages of 22.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists per game. While his preseason debut with the LA Lakers was definitely underwhelming, Westbrook should be able to deliver once he manages to find his feet with the team.
While the 32-year-old did record great numbers last season, his role in the LA Lakers will see him distribute the ball a lot more than score. With this in mind, there is greater potential for his scoring numbers to drop. Westbrook could potentially average just over 19 points a game this season.
However, his assist numbers may also see an increase considering he has lob threats such as DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard running with him.
#2 Anthony Davis
If anyone in the LA Lakers is entering this NBA season with a point to prove, it is Anthony Davis. The Lakers superstar performed at his best in the Orlando bubble but has since been plagued by injuries, leading to glaring inconsistencies in form.
Looking to bounce back in the 2021-22 NBA season, Davis has made significant physical changes to increase his longevity to ensure the Lakers' title run.
When healthy, the 28-year-old is one of the most gifted big men in the game. With a multifaceted skillset, Davis is a scoring threat from all three levels while also being a solid defender and rim protector.
With Westbrook feeding him the ball in the low post and finding him on lobs, there is a great chance Davis could be one of the best scorers on the LA Lakers' side once the chemistry falls into place.
Davis recorded 21.8 points per game last season due to injuries. During his peak with the Lakers, he recorded a much higher 26.1 points per game. The LA Lakers will hope he can return to the form he displayed during their 2020 championship run. If he does, Davis could potentially average over 25 points per game in the 2021-22 NBA season.
#1 LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time and there is a very valid argument for that debate. Entering his 19th season in the NBA, James has had one of the most illustrious careers and is still considered a top three player in the league.
As the 2021 NBA season unfolds, LeBron is expected to shift his style of play from being a playmaker to being a scorer. Moving to an off-the-ball approach creates some adjustment issues, but playing like that may not be such a bad idea for the veteran.
LeBron James has never averaged less than 25 points a game throughout his career, other than his rookie season. With the playmaking load taken off of him, we can expect a jump in the 36-year-old's scoring numbers from last season.
Last season, James recorded 25 points per game but only played 45 games. In the 2021-22 season, we could see him average over 26 points per game if he is healthy and the pairing with Russell Westbrook works for the LA Lakers.
