Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Weaknesses heading into 2017-18 regular season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with referee Ed Malloy #14 during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on January 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 120-116. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with referee Ed Malloy #14 during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on January 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 120-116. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: Five bold predictions for 2017-18 season
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #5 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /

Experience

With the moves that the Lakers made this offseason, the team is undoubtedly improved. They should improve upon last season’s win total of 26; some fans even believe they could challenge for a playoff spot. However, there are a few things that will keep the Lakers from doing that.

One big obstacle facing the Lakers is how loaded the Western Conference is. It would not be shocking to see a team finish with a record above the .500 mark and miss the postseason. Virtually every team in the Western Conference seemed to improve this offseason, loading up to try knocking off the Golden State Warriors.

However, arguably the biggest thing facing the Lakers, and their biggest weakness this season, is their experience, or lack thereof. Once the Lakers fully embraced their youth movement last season, there were nights they were not playing anyone with more than two years of prior playing experience.

That will not happen again this season, but they will once again be relying on young players. Their new starting point guard will be rookie Lonzo Ball. Brook Lopez is the only player projected to be in the rotation that has more than four seasons of NBA experience.

Out of the 19 players currently on the roster, only Lopez, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Corey Brewer and Luol Deng have playoff experience.

Next: 5 Bold Predictions For Lakers 2017-18 Season

This is a team that has a lot of players that have to learn how to win, let alone the experiences of a playoff race. The Lakers are probably one more season away from being playoff contenders, but they are certainly heading in the right direction.