Los Angeles Lakers improved for 2019-20, but are they a title contender?

Storyline 3: Is this team a true title contender?

On the surface this team is a no-brainer contender. LeBron James is among the best players in the league, Anthony Davis is a clear top-10 player (perhaps pump the breaks on top-5; this league is loaded right now) and the roster now has real shooters and defenders.

FiveThirtyEight’s projections give the Lakers a 14 percent chance to win the title, third-most in the league and ahead of the LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.

Yet the question marks begin to add up quickly, more quickly than the other contenders. Who on this team can stop an opposing point guard? Will Anthony Davis stay healthy? Is LeBron James finally feeling the effects of age? Is no one concerned with the lack of two-way players outside of James, Davis and Danny Green?

It is true that this is a better roster than a year ago, with players that fit better together. Alex Caruso has upside to be a reliable contributor, they have multiple options at the 2.5 position and Danny Green is a guy ready to do battle. LeBron James elevates any decent team into the championship mix.

There will be problems, whether they come when a veteran is moved to the bench or when the head coach makes a miscue and players start complaining to assistant coach Jason Kidd. This team is in Los Angeles, with all of the spotlight and pressure that brings with it.

Add in the vortex of drama that is being on a LeBron James team and the Lakers have no easy path to being a true title contender.