ESPN has projected a bleak outlook for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024-25 NBA season, predicting that they will finish 11th in the Western Conference with a 44-38 record. This would mean that the Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, wouldn’t even make the play-in tournament, sparking surprise and concern among fans and analysts alike.
The Lakers finished last season with 47 wins and got knocked out in the first round, where they lost to the Denver Nuggets. Despite limited success, they have not made significant roster changes during the offseason. Their most notable additions have been draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, which, while promising for the future, may not have the immediate impact needed to push the Lakers further up the standings.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis , who played pivotal roles in Team USA’s gold medal win at the 2024 Olympics, remain two of the league’s top stars. Yet, questions about their durability have persisted, especially as James enters his 22nd season and Davis continues to deal with recurring injury issues. ESPN’s pessimistic outlook seems to hinge largely on these concerns and the team’s lack of depth and off-season moves.
Supporting players like D'Angelo Russell , Austin Reaves , Rui Hachimura , and Jarred Vanderbilt bring solid contributions, but there’s a consensus that the Lakers need more. The absence of a true third star or significant offseason upgrades could leave them vulnerable, especially in a loaded Western Conference.
Another major factor that could impact the Lakers’ season is the coaching of JJ Redick , who will be entering his first season as head coach. While Redick is widely respected for his basketball IQ, it remains to be seen how well he can manage a team in a competitive and challenging conference.
Despite ESPN’s prediction, there’s still hope for the Lakers to outperform expectations. The team’s veteran leadership, combined with James and Davis’ playoff experience, could propel them into the postseason. However, injuries and the lack of impactful offseason moves present significant obstacles.
Ultimately, this season could serve as a pivotal moment for the franchise as they try to remain competitive in the closing years of LeBron James' career. A failure to make the playoffs could lead to larger questions about the future direction of the team and its strategy moving forward.
Related: Lakers Insider Says Franchise Will Waste Next Season If They Don’t Make A Trade
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