The Los Angeles Lakers have not been to the postseason in five years. However, early projections hint that the trend will finally end in 2019.
Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers were founded, the team has always been associated with success. The sweet sound of the number 16 certainly resonates with Lakers fans.
However, there is another number nowadays that grinds the gears of those same supporters. That dreaded number is five.
Despite those 16 championships, the purple and gold have not even sniffed the postseason for five straight campaigns. This mark just so happens to be a franchise record.
It is a sickening stat to be linked with. When the Lakers are thought about, it truly makes no sense. After all, this is a ball club that won five titles between 2000 and 2010.
It comes to show that history means little in the now. Fortunately for the Lakers, they have a golden opportunity to add to their rich history in 2018-2019.
Los Angeles will boast several new pieces in the autumn, with the biggest piece being LeBron James.
Even by his standards, James is coming off a career-type year. The three-time champion’s averages of 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 9.1 assists kept Cleveland afloat all year round.
At this juncture, he now has the chance to do the same for the Lakers.
While some believe James will not resurrect L.A., the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook suggests otherwise.
Via Dan Duangdao of Lakers Nation (originally per Jeff Sherman), the Lakers are projected to earn 48.5 wins this upcoming season. That would be a huge spike over the 35 wins they claimed in 2017-2018.
NBA seas wins
— Jeff Sherman (@golfodds) August 5, 2018
Atl 23.5
Bos 57.5
Brk 32.5
Cha 35.5
Chi 27.5
Cle 30.5
Dal 34.5
Den 47.5
Det 37.5
GS 62.5
Hou 54.5
Ind 47.5
LAC 35.5
LAL 48.5
Mem 34.5
Mia 41.5
Mil 46.5
Min 44.5
NO 45.5
NY 29.5
OKC 50.5
Orl 31.5
Phi 54.5
Phx 28.5
Prt 41.5
Sac 25.5
SA 43.5
Tor 54.5
Uth 48.5
Wsh 44.5
Assuming these projections hold up, Vegas has the Lakers making the playoffs in 2019. The odds also reveal that they could end up having one of the higher seeds in the Western Conference.
The projections demonstrate that the Lakers will be tied with the Utah Jazz for the number four seed. Without a doubt, this is a fairly bold prediction.
Nevertheless, it proves how impactful LeBron is on the court. He is a bona fide game changer, and, clearly, that is not expected to change in a new location.
Perhaps to no surprise, the team ahead of the pack is none other than Golden State. Coming off back-to-back titles, the odds have them at an over/under of 62.5 games.
Contrarily, the squad expected to deliver the least is the Atlanta Hawks. The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook currently believes they will only pick up about 23.5 wins in 2018-2019.
While the Lakers are not projected to be at the top, an outlook like this represents a major shift in the NBA balance. The forecast brings to light that the ball club will no longer be a cellar dweller.
Even if the purple and gold do not quite meet these expectations, one thing is still easier to determine. L.A. is a virtual lock to get back to the postseason, which is a huge step in the right direction.