3 lottery teams that can make the NBA playoffs next season

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Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Can the Los Angeles Lakers shake off the rust and return to the NBA Playoffs?

Them again? Sorry, but not making the playoffs for two consecutive years seems almost impossible. Sure, the Lakers received a lot of national coverage last year, if for nothing but the endless amount of bloopers they, or Russell Westbrook, provided. But with a new outlook and the antagonist, Patrick Beverly on the roster, there’s reason to believe the purple and gold won’t be watching the postseason from home so soon.

Moreover, there’s LeBron James and Anthony Davis. When healthy, both provide an elite duo in the Western Conference. The only question mark is what new head coach Darvin Ham will bring to the table as part of a culture change. Additionally, the Western Conference is loaded with talent across several teams.

It’s not out of the question that the Lakers will be back in the playoffs. Television networks will continue to press it into viewing minds. Overall though, they have what it takes to at least make it because another season like last year would be a massive headache for viewers. Surely, excuses would continue to fly for why the franchise missed out yet again.