Our focus shifts to the always-anticipated Lakers who are fresh off a catastrophic 2021-22 season in which they failed to qualify for the postseason and parted ways with head coach Frank Vogel. They won just 33 games and finished 11th in the Western Conference. In these previews, we will take a look at the key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
Hamstrung by the effects of the Russell Westbrook trade, the Lakers front office struggled to make any meaningful moves. In fact, their most influential addition may prove to be first-year head coach Darvin Ham who replaces Vogel after 11 seasons as an assistant and a championship with Milwaukee in 2021.
Roster-wise, they traded Talen Horton-Tucker and Stanley Johnson to Utah for veteran guard Patrick Beverley. Long-known for his loud, on-ball defence, Beverley brings an intensity and defensive resolve that the Lakers sorely lacked last season as well as streaky perimeter shooting and playmaking chops. In 58 games with the Timberwolves last season, he averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.6 apg.
They used their taxpayers mid-level exception – their largest salary cap bullet – on former-Spur Lonnie Walker IV. Best described as an athletic slasher, Walker IV offers some scoring and playmaking talent off the bench but will need to make strides as a shooter and defender to earn consistent minutes under Ham. In 70 games with San Antonio last season, he averaged 12.1 ppg on .512 TS%.
Fantasy Stars
It comes as little surprise the Lakers expected to draw fantasy buzz. Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both ranked top 10 in the league across multiple positions; James is ranked third among all small forwards and sixth among power forwards whilst Davis is the fifth-ranked centre and seventh-ranked power forward.
As he enters his 20th season in the NBA, James’ longevity approaches uncharted territory. In 56 games last season, he averaged 30.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 6.2 apg on .619 TS%. James, who will turn 38 in December, is still LA’s go-to guy but, with a confusing supporting cast and injury-prone co-star, it remains to be seen just how far he can carry this squad. He is also expected to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record this season as he enters the year just 1,325 points away from him.
Davis, on the other hand, is fresh off a pair of disrupted and disappointing seasons in which he has appeared in just 76 of a potential 154 games and has averaged below his career-average in points and rebounds. Still a generational defender and headache-causing scorer, this upcoming season firms as a key one for the Hall of Fame-bound Davis as he attempts to drag the Lakers back towards title contention. In 40 games last season, he averaged 23.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 2.3 bpg but struggled shooting from outside the paint finishing with the worst three-point shooting percentage among all players with at least 70 attempts.
Projected Finish
Jeremy and I are both expecting the Lakers to fall within play-in range. Their roster is younger and more athletic than last season’s whilst the return of Kendrick Nunn – who missed all of last season through injury – as well the continued improvement of Austin Reaves – who was a rare shining light for the team last season as a rookie – will be welcome sights for the revamped coaching staff. It may not matter, however, with the likes of New Orleans, Minnesota, and Portland all expected to improve and turn the already tough West into a bloodbath. The Lakers will continue scouring the market for Westbrook deals and may be able to change their outlook for the season if a difference-making trade appears but, as currently constructed, it is difficult seeing them bother too many of the league’s contenders on a regular basis.
