The results of the NBA's annual GM survey came out recently and in it, the Los Angeles Lakers got the most votes for the toughest team to predict for this upcoming season. NBA insider Brian Windhorst was quite puzzled by that and stated on NBA Today , that it's easy to predict how the Lakers will do in 2024-25.
"I actually think the Lakers are relatively easy to predict," Windhorst said." I think they're probably headed for the play-in, which was where they were last year. They got roughly the same team coming back. We'll see with health. And last year (Anthony Davis) and LeBron (James) actually had two extremely healthy seasons. I don't think it's possible for them to play more games than they did last year if you're looking at it honestly."
"I was just surprised by this," Windhorst added. "I don't know, maybe they just felt the Lakers have to be mentioned on something so they put them up there."
I agree with Windhorst that it's not all that difficult to predict how the Lakers will do. They've basically brought back the same team that was in the Play-In Tournament last season, with the only big change being at the head coaching position, with JJ Redick replacing Darvin Ham. Do I think Redick is going to transform them in his first season? Not really.
The Lakers finished with a 47-35 record in 2023-24 and I'd expect them to have a similar record in 2024-25, provided LeBron James and Anthony Davis stay relatively healthy. I doubt they'll both play 70+ games as they did last season, but as long as they avoid significant spells on the sidelines, the team should finish in those play-in spots.
While Windhorst and I were surprised by those votes for the reasons mentioned, Kendrick Perkins wasn't. The reason? Davis.
"I'm not surprised Windy," Perkins said. "The reason they're the toughest team to predict, and that's why they was voted so high is because Anthony Davis is the toughest player to predict. You don't know what you're gonna get out of him. You don't know if he's going to be available because of his injury history."
Perkins acknowledged that Davis had a great 2023-24 season, but pointed out that it wasn't an MVP-caliber one. He wonders if the nine-time All-Star will take that step this upcoming season.
If Davis stays relatively healthy, I think we know what we're going to get from him. The 31-year-old averaged 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game last season and I'd expect more of the same. His play is unlikely to dip but at the same time, he is not going to take a leap at this stage of his career either, so I don't see him as a wildcard necessarily.
The only way I see the Lakers being able to avoid that Play-In Tournament next season and end up as one of the top seeds in the Western Conference is by making some trades. They have multiple first-round picks that they can move and need to use them to acquire better pieces. The front office has to be a bit bold and make that big move, or else the 2024-25 season will end in disappointment.
Related: JJ Redick Impressed with Lakers' Rookie Dalton Knecht Through Preseason Games
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