Following what was possibly the most exciting offseason in Lakers history, Los Angeles is finally in a position to compete for a championship following a five-year playoff drought. However, despite the addition of arguably the best basketball player of all time in LeBron James, the Lakers will be given nothing in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
Key Offseason Additions (Not Named LeBron James)
Yes, obviously LeBron James is the steal of the offseason. But he deserves a category of his own. So for now, let’s focus on the Lakers many other offseason additions. First up, the 2018 NBA Draft choices.
Mo Wagner and Svi Mikhailyuk: Wagner (a former March Madness standout) is a 6’10” power forward known for his versatile scoring both inside and outside the arc. Averaging 14.6 points per game his junior season, Wagner’s defense will need a lot of help going forward, However, a very young talent, Wagner’s immediate impact will hopefully be a reliable scorer coming off the bench.
As for Svi, he has the chance to make a big impact, very quick. the perfect embodiment of a “Three and D” player, Svi shot over 44% from three in his senior season, while also proving to be a more than reliable defender. And although the defense is always a plus, it’s Svi’s consistent shot that will prove to be the biggest help for this Los Angeles team. Because although the Lakers are filled with playmakers (Rondo, LeBron, Lonzo), shooting could prove to be their Achilles heel and any extra help will be greatly utilized.
Rajon Rondo: Fresh off what was possibly the best playoff performance of his career, Rajon Rondo has proved that when in the right situation, he can perform as one of the best “role” players in the NBA. And now playing alongside the greatest Small Forward in NBA history, Rajon should not only prove to be a great offensive facilitator but a veteran mentor for Lonzo Ball.
Michael Beasley: At this point in his career, Michael Beasley is considered more of a meme than an efficient NBA player. And although his move to Los Angeles brought some excitement, it is very unlikely he makes a substantial impact as he is a very ball dominant player on a team filled with ball dominant players. I wouldn’t be surprised if Beasley became a bench warmer by mid-January.
JaVale McGee: A now two-time NBA champion, McGee has proven he can perform on the games biggest stage. A large and long presence in the paint, every team knows what they’re getting when they sign McGee. He’s going to block a lot of shots and catch a lot of alley-oops. And that is perfect for a Lakers team full of distributors.
Lance Stephenson: Just like Javale, you know what you’re getting from Lance Stephenson. Likely to come off the bench, Lance is either going to end the game with three points and one assist, or 20 points and six assists. One way to describe Lance is the “Ultimate X Factor”.
Key Offseason Losses
Julius Randle– Drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Julius Randle is coming off a career year. Averaging 16.1 points per game and 8.0 rebounds on 55% shooting from the field. However, although Randle was clearly one of the Lakers best players last season, it was clear they did not see him as a part of their long-term future. Giving him a limited role within the team, Randle saw less than 30 minutes per game. And after signing a two-year, $18 million dollar contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers decided their time with Randle had ran its course.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Brook Lopez– Although Brook Lopez is a solid, offensive center. At the end of the day, he was simply a casualty the Lakers had to take on in order to dump Timofey Mozgov’s outrageous salary. However, with this new and improved Los Angeles team, there is a solid chance Lopez would’ve thrived in what will likely be an up-tempo offense.
LeBron James
Possibly the greatest player in NBA history, the addition of LeBron James elevates the Lakers from a lottery team, to a title contender. A three-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP, James is not only one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, but one of the best facilitators and defenders to ever step on the court. By far the steal of the offseason, James is one of a handful of people that are able to fill whatever role while making everyone around them better. And signed to what is essentially a three-year deal, there is no rush for everyone to get acclimated to playing with LeBron.
Development of the Young Core
Lonzo Ball-
After was a largely overlooked rookie season, Lonzo Ball showed many promising signs. He proved to be a great facilitator averaging over seven assists per game. He was also a great rebounder, averaging 6.9 rebounds per game along with being a very reliable defender. However, just as everyone expected, Ball struggled mightily with his jump shot and failed to show the aggressiveness needed in a point guard. However, likely just a result of his jump shot struggles, Balls aggressiveness on offense will likely come as his confidence builds.
Brandon Ingram-
Although Ingram played just 59 games last season, he did average over 16 points per game on just under 50% shooting from the field and 39% from behind the arc. If Ingram can continue to score efficiency while also becoming a more complete player on the defensive end, he should develop into one of the leagues best players. And now having the tutorage of one of the greatest players to step foot on the court, Ingram’s path to greatness will only be accelerated.
Kyle Kuzma-
Coming off an expectingly great rookie season, Kyle Kuzma is a very rare diamond in the rough that the Lakers are fortunate enough to possess. Last season, Kuzma averaged 16.1 points per game on 45% shooting from the field. A reliable scoring option that will likely come off the bench, Kuzma has a legitimate chance at a sixth man of the year award. With another year of experience under his belt, he will be the Lakers main scoring option off the bench, giving him the freedom to take as many shots as he pleases.
Biggest Questions
- Will lack of shooting prove to be a major problem?
- With numerous ball-dominant players, will the lack of ball movement cripple the offense?
- Will LeBron’s presence halt the development of some of the Lakers young, “building blocks”?
- Are the Lakers ready for a championship run?
Record Prediction
And here we are, what it all comes down to. Come April and beyond, where will the Lakers finish? Accounting for the addition of LeBron, Svi, McGee, etc., along with the development of Ball, Ingram, and Kuzma, I feel the Lakers will win around 50-55 games. However, their young, inexperienced team could cripple them in the playoffs.
Prediction: 54-28
3rd seed in Western Conference
Will be eliminated in West Semi-Finals
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep 242: WR Tiers Part 2by Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 7:39 pm
-
Ep 241: WR Tiers 2022 Part 1by Full Press Coverage on July 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
Jimmy Garoppolo To Tampa Bay? Not so Fastby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:09 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the latest […]
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Ian discusses his experience in Canton and the Hall of Fame ceremony with […]
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Ian and John recap the Hall of Fame weekend, discuss Ian's Shawshank […]
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Ian and John discuss Tom Brady on his 45th birthday and ask the […]
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Vin Scully, Tom Brady's birthday, and […]
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Ian and John react to the passing of Celtics' legend, Bill Russell.
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Celtics' legend Bill Russell and the […]
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyler Murray extension, Julio Jones signing in […]
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumored 8-game suspension for Browns quarterback, […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Episode 57 Criss Partee is joined by Spencer Skjeie to analyze the latest around the assosciationby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 7:25 am
-
(Season 2.3) Training Camp Talk w/Zach Selby and Trevor Storesby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:43 am
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
-
Ep. 17: 2022 Penn State Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
(Seasons 2.2) Commanders Camp Week 3: Roundtable discussion w/ Street Scores Rico and Felix Trammellby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 12:41 am
-
Ep. 16: 2022 Auburn Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 8, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 140: Training Camp Part 2by Full Press Coverage on August 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 125: Mabel/Visceraby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm