Los Angeles Lakers: 2018-19 NBA season preview

SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 12: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) smiles as he jokes with Golden State Warriors players during a break in the action in their NBA preseason game at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (Anda Chu/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images)"n
SAN JOSE, CA - OCTOBER 12: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) smiles as he jokes with Golden State Warriors players during a break in the action in their NBA preseason game at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (Anda Chu/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images)"n
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Prediction and wrap up

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be a lot of fun to watch this season. They are a marquee franchise in the league and will be back in that realm thanks to LeBron James. However, he isn’t the only positive they have this season.

Los Angeles’ young core should garner more national attention as well. Depending on how the rotation shakes out, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart could be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year. Brandon Ingram will squarely be in the conversation for Most Improved Player. James is a favorite for the MVP award.

There will be a lot of eyes on the Lakers, something the younger players will have to adjust too. But these aren’t your run of the mill youngsters, as they have faced different levels of pressure throughout their basketball careers.

While the opinions of the Lakers are wide-ranging, this is a team that will handle their own. Expect the Lakers to qualify for the postseason and win at least one playoff series. LeBron James’ NBA Finals streak may end, but his first-round playoff streak will remain intact.

Prediction: 50-32