Los Angeles Lakers: 5 players with the most to prove in 2017-18

The playoffs? A Rookie of the Year award? With expectations so high, these five Los Angeles Lakers will have plenty to prove throughout the 2017-18 season.

Whether it’s due to the Lonzo Ball hype or the lofty goals set by Magic Johnson, this Los Angeles Lakers team will be under a ton of pressure this season. Fans everywhere are lining up to see what type of damage they can do, which has heaped some overwhelming expectations on this rebuilding squad.

Then again, maybe it’s just blind optimism. Maybe folks are so pumped about the possibility of landing Paul George and LeBron James next offseason that they’ve already marked this team down as a contender. Perhaps the team’s Summer League championship has some people thinking that same success will spill over into the regular season.

Realistically, it’s anyone’s guess why expectations are sky high. Chances are, it’s simply the fact that it’s the Lakers. As one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, it’s almost as if aggressive expectations are a prerequisite.

Well if the Lakers are going to come anywhere near making fans happy in 2017-18, they’re going to need some players to step up. Help from everyone will be appreciated, but several playmakers will be asked to bear more of the burden than others.

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With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five Lakers with the most to prove in 2017-18. For one reason or another, these guys are going to be under a microscope this year. They simply can’t afford to take their eyes off the prize.