Boldly Predicting the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2018-19 Starting Lineup

Small Forward: Paul George

Here’s the one Lakers fans are all eagerly awaiting.

Leading up to the 2017 trade deadline, rumors began cropping up that Paul George was interested in playing for the Purple and Gold (via USA Today’s Sam Amick).

Although a trade never came to fruition, it’s believed he’ll take his talents to Los Angeles if the Indiana Pacers aren’t contenders by the end of the 2017-18 season.

Assuming that’s the case, George jumps ship to join the Lakers. If that happens, it would be a monumental leap forward for this franchise. Not only is George one of the best all-around talents in the NBA, but he’s still only 26 years old.

He’s got plenty of gas left in the tank and could team with Westbrook to form a sensational superstar duo.

With him in the lineup, the Lakers instantly became a team worth taking seriously in the West. While I wouldn’t go as far as calling them favorites (it depends on the look of the bench), teams like the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs would have to take notice.

The signing of George would essentially turn this team around overnight.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering what happens with Brandon Ingram. We saw some glimmers of hope during his rookie campaign, but the jury is still out. Unless he shows significant improvement in Year 2, it may be best to find a more long-term answer on the wing–like George.

You better believe, though, that the Lakers will find minutes for him as the sixth or seventh man.