As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the 2024-25 season, no one seems to know what to expect of them. JJ Redick is a first-year head coach inheriting a 47-win team that was undeniably impacted by the falling out between the players and former locker room leader Darvin Ham.
In the release of the 2024-25 NBA General Manager Survey, the executives around the Association disrespected, yet simultaneously perfectly summarized the Lakers' current situation.
For those unfamiliar, the GM Survey is an annual poll of the lead executives around the NBA about the current state of the Association. Questions are asked about teams and players alike, focusing on both the future and present status of the organizations and stars that define the sport.
One of the questions asked was about the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs—from which the Lakers will be excluded, according to the lead executives around the Association.
Seed | Western Conference Playoffs Projection (via 2024-25 NBA GM Survey) |
|---|---|
1 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
2 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
3 | Denver Nuggets |
4 | Dallas Mavericks |
5 | Phoenix Suns |
6 | Memphis Grizzlies |
7 | New Orleans Pelicans |
8 | Golden State Warriors |
Before you jump to the conclusion that the Lakers were outright snubbed, it was later revealed that Los Angeles received the most votes of any franchise in response to the question: "Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict?"
Rank | Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict? (via 2024-25 NBA GM Survey) |
|---|---|
1 | Los Angeles Lakers |
T-2 | Houston Rockets |
T-2 | New Orleans Pelicans |
4 | Phoenix Suns |
T-5 | Dallas Mavericks |
T-5 | Philadelphia 76ers |
The Lakers were disrespected by the general managers who didn't vote for them to make the playoffs, but the explanation is at least somewhat rational.
Lakers projected to miss playoffs, but labeled toughest team to predict
It's easy to defend the Lakers as a potential playoff team, as Anthony Davis and LeBron James are two of the best players in the world. In addition to both earning All-NBA honors in 2023-24, they played starring roles as Team USA won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
In saying that, it's just as understandable for rival executives to be uncertain of how to diagnose the Lakers' postseason odds in 2024-25.
Redick has never coached above the amateur level. The early returns have been promising, including a locker room that feels lighter and more empowered by their head coach to be themselves, but it's unclear how the actual games will play out.
It's possible that the Lakers will benefit from a new voice in the locker room, but until Redick has coached a regular season game, it's all conjecture—whether optimistic or otherwise.
Furthermore, it's rational to argue that Los Angeles will be a better team with a healthy second unit. In 2023-24, key reserves Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent played a combined 40 games, while projected high-level scoring option Christian Wood played 50.
Even if the Lakers' second unit remains healthy, however, a leap of faith is required to project all five starters appearing in at least 68 games, as they did in 2023-24.
Compounded by the fact that the Lakers added nothing in free agency and are relying on unproven up-and-coming players and perfect health to change their projection, skepticism is inevitable. It's still a slight to omit the Lakers from the playoffs, but the reason is founded more in uncertainty than pure disrespect.
If nothing else, Redick and the Lakers just found bulletin board material for the 2024-25 season.