1. Anthony Davis
The Lakers didn’t just trade away a large package of players (Ingram, Ball, Josh Hart and De’Andre Hunter along with several draft picks) to acquire AD. They also exchanged one vision for another.
Instead of one possible path that involved improving slowly with hopes of contending for a title down the road, the Lakers opted for a different fork in the road and took a big leap for a shot at winning the crown now.
Davis is one of the most talented players in the NBA. Some claim he is the best, most say he ranks in the top five in the league. By trading for him the Lakers announced to all other teams that their intention to be an immediate contender. Anything less is not acceptable.
AD led his Kentucky Wildcats to the NCAA title in his sole collegiate season in 2011-12. But in his seven NBA seasons with New Orleans, his teams made the playoffs just twice. Now he has a burning desire to show just how good he can be and even more importantly, how far he can carry his team.
For his career, Davis has averaged 23.7 points and 10.5 rebounds a game. But in the last three seasons, those numbers rose to 27.5 and 11.6. That’s the kind of performance the Lakers will need to be championship contenders. The time is right for AD to lead the way.
Conclusion: None of us can be certain how good the Lakers will be this season. Teams with a host of new players usually take time to gel. It will be Vogel’s task to put get everyone on the same page. But remember that in LeBron’s first year with Miami and in his return to Cleveland, his team made it to the Finals in the weaker Eastern Conference but failed to win the championship.
The Western Conference is strong and deep. The Clippers, Rockets, Nuggets, Jazz, Blazers and even the Warriors all think they can win the title this year, as do the Bucks and Sixers in the East.
But the Lakers, led by what should be a tremendous one-two punch in Davis and James, should be right in the mix. And if the pieces fit well together, anything is possible.
All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com