Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: 20 things to watch this NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: (L-R) Jimmy Butler #23, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Taj Gibson #67 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves head back to the bench for a timeout during overtime of the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 11, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 112-106. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

20. LeBron James as a Laker

As if we could start with anything else.

LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer upended the NBA’s conference hierarchy. For the past eight years, James’ squads have represented the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, including four straight matchups with the Golden State Warriors.

This year, one of James or the Warriors will be sitting at home in mid-June.

How James fares with the Lakers will be perhaps the preeminent storyline of the 2018-19 season. Will young prospects such as Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart flourish alongside him? Will L.A.’s head-scratching free-agent signings — namely, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and JaVale McGee — work out better than anticipated alongside the four-time MVP?

When James joined the Miami Heat in 2010 and then rejoined the Cleveland Cavaliers four years later, both of his squads got off to slow starts. He and his teammates needed time to grow acclimated with one another, which led to some early-season frustration bubbling over. While the Heat didn’t make any drastic midseason moves to shake up their roster, the Cavaliers did, shipping out Dion Waiters, two first-round picks and change for J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov.

If the Lakers get off to a slow start, will James pressure team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka to begin wheeling and dealing? Will the Lakers attempt to land their second star ahead of 2019 free agency, whether it’s Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler or someone else? The possibilities are endless, making the Lakers one of the NBA’s most captivating teams ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.