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Los Angeles Lakers: JaVale McGee believes team is prepared to make ‘a deep run’ next year

By James Francuz

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 4: JaVale McGee (7) of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the dunk during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 4, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 4: JaVale McGee (7) of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the dunk during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 4, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Center JaVale McGee is among those in approval of the moves the front office made this summer and thinks the Los Angeles Lakers could do something special next year.

In comparison to the last few seasons, there is plenty of reason to have hope as a Los Angeles Lakers fan. The roster general manager Rob Pelinka has assembled this summer is easily the most talented one the Lakers have had since Kobe Bryant retired.

It is true that the Lakers may not have a bona fide third All-Star on their team. However, Kyle Kuzma recently went on the record saying that he is capable of ascending to that plateau.

If Kuzma is able to elevate his game to that level this year, a combination of himself, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis could be a rather deadly one.

While that is undeniable, what makes this Lakers team so interesting is what exists outside of that trio. Everyone knows what the above-mentioned three can do when everything is clicking, but the depth around them could ultimately serve as a difference maker this coming year.

Arguably the Lakers’ biggest strength at the time being is how they look in the frontcourt. Let alone Davis, the team signed DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year pact not too long after the free agency period kicked off. In doing so, AD and Cousins became teammates once again.

Moreover, the Lakers’ summer has also consisted of holding onto some assets from last season’s team. One such example comes in the form of JaVale McGee, who exceeded just about everyone’s expectations in his first rodeo with the purple and gold.

Widely renowned for what he has done wrong on the court, McGee actually did a lot of right things for the Lakers last season. In fact, McGee averaged an efficient 12.0 points a night for the squad, which proved to be a career high for the center.

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What caused McGee to slowly evolve into a fan favorite, though, is what he did on the defensive end of the floor. The veteran averaged 2.0 blocks per game for Los Angeles, a more than respectable number.

Together with Davis and Cousins, McGee and the Lakers have a golden chance to be an elite defensive team this coming season. Those three alone are already a formidable three-headed monster no one is going to want to deal with.

For reasons of this nature and more, the Lakers’ outlook is by no means a terrible one at the moment. McGee recently shared his perspective on what he feels the Lakers are capable of going into his second year with the team.

The 7-footer talked about this subject matter with Omar Raja from the House of Highlights. Per transcription from Christian Rivas of SB Nation, McGee firmly believes the purple and gold have what it takes to make it far in the postseason.

"“I feel like the GM, they went on 2K and cheated and just put a whole bunch of good players on the same team. It’s definitely going to work out. I feel like we’re going to make a deep run.”"

Certainly, the Lakers have the pieces in place. Whether it will “work out” is yet to be determined, but, on paper at least, L.A.’s future looks astronomically bright.

For that reason, McGee’s posture on what lies ahead is more than understandable. The Lakers definitely look like they could be among the league’s best this year assuming factors like health do not get into the way too often.

Of course, it is crucial to take into account that nothing is ever a given. Although the Lakers have put together what should be a good team, how far they make it may depend on how well guys can get along.

Without a doubt, the talent is there. The purple and gold have a myriad of interesting personalities aboard their ship, though. As a result, some degree of sacrifice is going to necessary to ensure the waters can be as calm as possible.

Next. 3 Goals for Kyle Kuzma next season. dark

Presuming said “sacrifice” makes its way into the picture, McGee’s hypothesis could very well be accurate. Here’s to hoping that the center’s prediction comes true.

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