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Lakers: Ranking the 5 biggest threats in the West after the trade deadline

By Jason Reed

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena on February 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Biggest threats to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference: 1. Denver Nuggets

Key additions: Aaron Gordan, JaVale McGee

Against the Los Angeles Clippers, I still give the Los Angeles Lakers around a 75-80% chance of winning a playoff series (it sounds low, but that is really high for a potential Western Conference Finals matchup).

The highest I can give the Lakers against the Denver Nuggets is 50%. It could really go either way if these two teams square off in the playoffs and I know that is not what Lakers fans want to hear but I have to be objective in my analysis.

Nikola Jokic is playing phenomenally and the Lakers do not match up that well against him. Getting Andre Drummond is absolutely massive for the team, but Jokic is still going to play at an elite level and if he heats up like he did before playing the Lakers last year then the team better watch out.

If bubble Jamal Murray, who is really starting to heat up, returns then that just gives the Nuggets that second primary scorer to throw at the Lakers. Throw in Michael Porter Jr, who is one year better, and the fourth option in Aaron Gordon and the Nuggets have the depth to keep up with the Lakers.

Gordon is a bit overrated but he went to just the right team. He went somewhere where he can be the fourth scoring option and still get his chances. If Denver utilizes Gordon for what he is good at, being a slasher and a slightly above-average defender, then that is a dangerous pick-up for the team.

Denver’s defense is not the greatest but it got better with Gordon and they have the offensive firepower to keep up with LA.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

Matchups make playoff series and the Nuggets have to like how they match up.

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