Surrounded by an intriguing cast of young players and a sprinkling of veterans, LeBron James’ new look Lakers seem poised for what could be a launching pad of a season.
Don’t look now, but LeBron James is taking his talents out west this time and there’s no team in the league as intriguing as his Lakers. Here’s what to watch out for as the King takes over his glitziest court yet.
The Supporting Cast
Uncertainty swirls around the Lakers’ upcoming season, but there’s one thing we can say for sure: LeBron has landed in a very different situation than in either Miami or Cleveland. The days of being surrounded by specialists and seasoned veterans are gone. During the long haul of the 2018-19 season, James will take the floor each night with a supporting cast that’s among the youngest he’s played with in many years.
Outside of James, the key to the Lakers’ improvement is second-year point guard Lonzo Ball. The reshaping of the roster doesn’t just end with LeBron either. The Lakers hope to improve on last year’s dismal offensive performance with newcomers like Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and Michael Beasley. JaVale McGee also figures to log his fair share of minutes, especially when the Lakers need offensive rebounding or rim protection.
Add the new faces to last year’s nucleus of Brandon Ingram, Ball and Kyle Kuzma, and you have a fascinating team that has a decent chance at one of the top four seeds in the West.
