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Los Angeles Lakers: Four reasons they can make NBA playoffs

By Asha Doucet

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: Four reasons they can make NBA playoffs
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin “Magic” Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off their fourth straight season without a playoff appearance and a fourth straight NBA lottery. Despite the fact that the odds are stacked against them, the Lakers may be able to sneak into the playoffs as an 8th seed.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to make a playoff run they will need to reach their full potential as a team this season. As far fetched as it may sound there are reasons to believe the Lakers could pull off the feat. Even though the west is a highly competitive conference that just got more competitive with teams gearing up to challenge the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers have also taken a step up from last year.

With Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka taking over the helm, L.A. has been making game changing moves that have restructured the franchise. First and foremost Johnson and Pelinka orchestrated a trade that got center Timofey Mozgov’s contract off their books. In doing so they also picked up Brook Lopez.

Next Johnson and Pelinka drafted the future of the Lakers’ franchise in Lonzo Ball, bringing a new hope to the purple and gold.

Then during free agency, L.A. exercised extreme patience that paid off. They didn’t overreach for any big name players and preserved their cap space for 2018 which equals roughly $54 million.

Although none of the Lakers’ moves are game changers alone, when combined along with the assets the team already had, L.A. can find themselves as a sleeper team that winds up the 8th seed. Here are four reasons a playoff berth for the Lakers is possible.

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