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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for LeBron James in 2020-21

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after being fouled while shooting during the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 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 - OCTOBER 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after being fouled while shooting during the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 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) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James /

What awaits LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in this unique 2020-21 NBA season?

The Los Angeles Lakers did not get much time to celebrate the franchise’s 17th NBA Championship as the preseason is already in full swing and the Lakers are ready to defend their throne.

This is a big year for LeBron James as the Lakers are the consensus favorites to win the title and if he does win then he would tie Kobe Bryant (and others) with five championships, inching closer to that elusive number six that he is chasing.

A unique season for the league is also going to yield a unique season for LeBron James. Here are my three bold predictions for the King this season.

1. LeBron James plays the fewest minutes per game in his career

I would not be shocked if LeBron also logs the fewest overall minutes of his career considering it is a 72-game season in which he is likely going to be resting on certain nights. The fewest he played was two years ago, when he logged 1,937 minutes in his first year as a Laker.

LeBron averaged 35.2 minutes per game that season and set a career-low with 34.6 minutes per game last year. I think that number is going to continue to dip and that we will see LeBron in the 32-33 minutes per game range.

The Lakers are rightfully going to be careful with LeBron. We all know that he can still play at a high level but he is getting older and the Lakers need to save his legs, especially after such a short offseason, for the NBA Playoffs.

It is not a matter of LeBron not being capable but the team’s title chances hinge on him and Anthony Davis being ready to ramp up for the NBA Playoffs. This is a team that is deep and talented enough to win a lot of games even with a reduced role for LeBron and the roster was constructed that way for a reason.