3. Nothing is guaranteed for the Los Angeles Lakers next season
The ideal situation for the Los Angeles Lakers is that the team re-signs Anthony Davis, or at least retains him in some capacity, and the team essentially runs it back with the same supporting cast that is first in the Western Conference.
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The Lakers could also make some improvements as well. Drafting smart would be huge for the Lakers and there is always the possibility of flipping Kyle Kuzma for assets that better fit with the team.
But none of that is guaranteed. While I personally think that there is a 90% chance that Davis is a Laker moving forward, it is not a guarantee. We have thought things were a guarantee before, such as Paul George coming to LA. Don’t expect Davis to leave, but don’t completely rule it out, either.
There is also the dynamic of LeBron James. It feels quite silly saying this because he has done nothing but prove this point wrong thus far, but father time is the one inescapable thing for every superstar athlete.
LeBron is playing phenomenally this season and we should expect him to continue to be great next season. He has earned that expectation.
However, like with Davis, it is not a guarantee. The fall from the top of the throne can happen so quickly. Look at Kobe Bryant because of the Achilles injury. LeBron turns 36 in December. All it takes is one misstep and his body might not be able to be the same again.
This season there are some guarantees. We know that Anthony Davis is a Laker and we know that LeBron James is playing great. Of course, the same injury concerns also exist in the playoffs, but the Lakers have already done have the work.
They are already this far. They have to do the exact same thing next year, increasing the risk, especially if LeBron has an extended lay-off from basketball because of the pandemic.
This is not to say that the Los Angeles Lakers can’t win the NBA Championship next season, but the road to get there is going to be much more challenging.