Los Angeles Lakers: 2018-19 NBA season preview

Predictions

Jumping up from last year’s 35-win season seems like a lock, and it’s tough to see the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James, another season of experience under the belts of their young players and a stronger bench winning less than 50 games. The Western Conference is stacked as usual, but LeBron is worth 15 wins alone and there’s a lot of talent on this roster.

The center position will figure itself out throughout the season, and don’t be surprised if the Lakers scoop up a big man when players are bought out of their contracts later in the season. The Lakers’ small-ball onslaught will struggle at times, but should also overwhelm opponents on most nights with so much firepower and athleticism on the floor.

The veterans have a clear understanding of their roles, with Rajon Rondo settling into his role as a player-coach that teaches the games to young players. Lance Stephenson has been a bench player for years now and, alongside Rondo, leads an exciting bench that features plenty of talent.

As for the postseason, the Western Conference Finals is the ceiling, and they reach that this season. LeBron wills them to a matchup with the Golden State Warriors and push them to seven games before falling short valiantly. They have some matchups that work in their favor, but Golden State is on another level in terms of experience and talent in their top six players.

All in all the season is viewed as a success. Their big prize lies in the 2019 offseason with a strong class of free agents waiting, but making a deep playoff run makes the 2018-19 season the most successful since their title team in 2009-10.