Lakers: Analyzing the good and bad of December 22 start date
![LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8242024caa4b0a4346f6c5cd82664ef128acfb88b37e37a5f943e2c597538ad1.jpg)
The NBA announced it will start a 72 game season on December 22. We take a look the pros and cons of that for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers will start their season on December 22 as the NBPA came to an agreement for the league. It will play a 72 game season, which is less than the normal 82. But that was a given as the NBA starts it’s road to recovery following lost revenue due to the coronavirus outbreak.
That means all within a month and a half span, we will get the draft, free agency, trades, minicamps and preseason. Nothing like we’ve ever seen before. But with that comes uncharted territory and a free agency period that will become somewhat odd.
Teams will have minimal time to sign guys or make trades before the season. Depending on teams needs and the routes they would like to go, it will help some teams and hurt others. There isn’t too many big names on the free agent market, but trades could alter a lot.
The Lakers are setup well cap wise and have options on the trade front and free agency market. It will be interesting to see what Anthony Davis ultimately decides. He could sign the max deal the Lakers will offer right off the bat, or he can wait and do a small deal to get himself eligible for the super max.
Either way AD will be back and the Lakers can look to continue putting pieces around him and LeBron James. Pelinka will get creative and look for guys that can win-now and also have value in the future. James doesn’t look to be slowing down, but until proven otherwise, father-time has never been defeated.
So we take a look at the good, the bad and analyze the decision to begin the season on December 22.