Los Angeles Lakers: Realistic predictions for team’s 2017-18 season

Lakers finish as No. 11 seed in West

While most Los Angeles fans have lofty expectations for the Lakers in 2017-18, the general consensus is they’re headed for another underwhelming season. Just ask ESPN, which predicted that they’d finish 13th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record.

That would be an improvement on last year’s 26-56 finish, but it’s only a small step forward. It seems like selling the Lakers short, especially with the upgrades they’ve made over the last few months.

Let’s just remember: they’ve added Ball, Lopez, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. I would also put money on Josh Hart contributing noteworthy minutes at some point this season.

How can bringing that much extra talent to the table not warrant a larger bump in wins? I’m sure you could make a case that their competition also made significant upgrades. The influx of talent in the West won’t do them any favors, but you could absolutely make a case for them being better than at least four other teams.

In this case, I’m talking about the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.

Next: 2017-18 Week 1 NBA Power Rankings

It’s not going to be easy — in fact, it’s going to take everything they have and then some. The Lakers are a young, potential-laden team with the talent to be competitive in 2017-18. I wouldn’t go as far as saying they’re going to make the playoffs, but they’re going to win more games and finish higher in the standings than most assume.