There may be reason for optimism among Los Angeles Lakers faithful, but don’t think for a second this rebuilt roster doesn’t have its fair share of weaknesses.
It’s easy to get lost in the hoopla that is the Los Angeles Lakers. Magic Johnson took over, and turned one of the NBA’s worst rosters into a legitimate contender nearly overnight. Now, the bandwagon is filling up as the buzz starts to build about the 16-time champions.
Unfortunately, far too many fans are looking at the Lakers with rose-colored glasses. These fans may not want to hear it, but this squad is far from perfect as we head into 2018-19.
There’s a reason why so many skeptics are trying to convince others Los Angeles won’t even make the playoffs. It seems asinine to imagine a LeBron James-led team falling short of the postseason, let alone the Finals. And yet, if we turn an analytical eye on the Lakers’ current roster, it won’t take long to spot some of the more glaring holes.
A lot can change between now and the end of the 2018-19 campaign. Magic could put together a blockbuster deal to bolster the franchise’s title chances before the trade deadline, or maybe he’ll find a sucker willing to take on Luol Deng‘s contract. For the time being, though, there are some issues that must be addressed before the real action begins in mid-October.
So without further ado, let’s take an extended look at the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses as we work our way through August. All three ailments can be treated in the coming months, but could also drag Los Angeles down if they’re ignored.