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Los Angeles Lakers’ key factors for a successful 2023-24 season

By Caleb Crowley

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 28: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at FedExForum on February 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 28: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at FedExForum on February 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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Lakers LeBron James
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Key Factor No. 3 – Staying healthy will determine the Lakers’ season

As great as the modern Lakers era has been, they have suffered a number of fallbacks thanks to poor injury luck.

LeBron James has never reached more than 67 games in a season with the Lakers since joining the team. Last year, he appeared in 55 games. Davis has had similar injury history, playing in only 56 games in 2022-23 and only 40 the year prior.

Entering his 21st NBA season, James is unlikely to remain in peak condition game by game, but to stay competitive the Lakers will need to stay afloat whenever James or Davis are absent. The development and growth of Austin Reaves will surely help their plight. Signing Prince will help the Lakers’ forward rotation when James is out.

Keeping the Lakers’ core healthy throughout the year is a critical factor in success. Regardless of how many games missed by James or Davis, it will be undeniably necessary that the Lakers have a full roster healthy for a substantial number of games before the postseason arrives.

The 2023 Playoffs were nearly missed from injuries. LeBron played through a serious ankle injury, leaving him out of the rotation until the Play-In Tournament began. Had he not returned, the Lakers may have fallen short in the Play-In.

There is no clear-cut or guaranteed recipe for continued health in the NBA. In an 82-game season, fatigue will set in and can cause a myriad of injuries from nagging inflammation to torn ligaments and broken bones.

In the 2023-24 season, the Lakers will be well prepared for a serious run toward the ultimate goal, but these key factors will be the determining factors.

A deep, athletic team built around Davis that can remain healthy will be the best Los Angeles Lakers roster since the 2020 Finals.

Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark

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