5 NBA teams primed to see big increases in win totals for 2022-23

3 of 6

Anthony Davis, LA Lakers (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports) /

4. LA Lakers look to get back into the upper echelon of NBA teams.

2021-22 win total: 33 wins

It’s no secret the Los Angeles Lakers were an abject failure last season, mustering just 33 wins and ultimately wasting a season for the elder statesman, LeBron James. Make no mistake, James has no more time to waste, as he enters his age-38 season.

His supporting cast hasn’t really improved all that much talent-wise, but the Lakers will play with a lot more heart and passion thanks to the acquisition of Patrick Beverly—an energizer bunny that takes no days off and gleefully takes on the challenge of guarding the opposing team’s best player every night.

The Lakers are counting on All-Star Anthony Davis to be healthy enough to get through the regular season and be a focal point of the team’s push to not only reach the playoffs but thrive and compete for a title. To do so, Davis will have to do something he hasn’t done since the 2017-18 season: play more than 62 games.

The 29-year-old played in just 40 games last season, so having Davis on the court for an additional 15-20 more games will give the Lakers a chance to increase that win total by a large margin.

Playing within his means and being a part of new Head Coach Darvin Ham’s system will also pay dividends for this team. The Lakers may still make some moves to give King James some more tools to operate with this season. But, even if they are unable to strike any deals, this roster has enough talent to far surpass 33 wins.