Los Angeles Lakers predicted to qualify for playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers are projected to make the playoffs in ESPN’s Summer Forecast.

The Los Angeles Lakers rebuild has lasted longer than fans had hoped. The team has missed the postseason for five consecutive seasons, but they have been taking steps in the right direction.

Los Angeles has improved their win total in both seasons under head coach Luke Walton. He has handled things well, helping the young Lakers core develop and grow. This season, he should oversee yet another increase in victories.

The Lakers should see a major jump in production thanks, in large part, to the signing of LeBron James. James instantly improves the Lakers and makes them, at worst, a playoff contender in the Western Conference.

James wasn’t the only player that the Lakers added this offseason. While there have been debates over how the other free agent signings will fit, there is no doubt that the Lakers improved their roster. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley all bring something to the table that Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka were looking for.

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Los Angeles will not be solely relying on those veterans. They will be mixed into the young core that has already been built that includes Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Ivica Zubac.

While the Lakers were unable to add a second superstar alongside James this offseason, they have flexibility going forward that they can be players in free agency in 2019. Having James in place long-term makes them an attractive spot for free agents. Ending their playoff streak would be nice as well. Over at ESPN, that is exactly what they think will happen.

ESPN Summer Forecast recently made predictions for the playoffs in the 2018-19 season. Despite being in the loaded Western Conference, and with multiple new faces, the Lakers are predicted to snap their playoff drought and qualify for the postseason. They are projected as the No. 6 seed in the conference with a 46-36 record.

Here is what they had to say about the prediction.

"This would be the fewest wins for a LeBron James team in a full-length season since the 2007-08 Cavaliers went 45-37. On the previous occasions when James made a move in free agency, his new teams jumped 11 and 20 wins the next season. Of course, the Lakers aren’t adding an All-Star-caliber power forward, as well, unlike the Heat (Chris Bosh) and Cavs (Kevin Love) in 2010 and 2014, respectively."

Despite not adding another All-Star, it is reasonable to believe that the young players on the Lakers will take another step forward. Collectively, that could be better than adding one player, especially since they kept their entire young core.

Los Angeles has very little room for error, however. According to the predictions, they are expected to finish only one game ahead of the seventh-place New Orleans Pelicans and eighth place Minnesota Timberwolves. The ninth-place San Antonio Spurs are predicted to win 44 games, while the 10th place Portland Trail Blazers are predicted to win 43 games.

With how well the Lakers played last season when healthy, adding a player of James’ caliber should push them to the postseason. How much damage they can do in the postseason will largely be determined how much developing the young players do.

The front office did a good job of adding playoff-tested veterans to the roster, now it is time for the young players to learn from them and hopefully carry the team deep into the postseason.