Los Angeles Lakers Season Preview, Win Total Prediction and Playoff Odds

Injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis derailed the Los Angeles Lakers’ title defense in the 2020-21 season, but the team has revamped its roster to compete for a title this year.

Rob Pelinka gave the Lakers’ supporting cast a facelift around James and Davis, opting for more veterans and experience this season.

Lakers’ Offseason Roster Changes

Additions:

Russell Westbrook
Dwight Howard
Rajon Rondo
Carmelo Anthony
Trevor Ariza
Wayne Ellington
Malik Monk
Kendrick Nunn
DeAndre Jordan
Kent Bazemore

Subtractions:

Alex Caruso
Dennis Schroder
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Andre Drummond
Marc Gasol
Kyle Kuzma
Montrezl Harrell
Markieff Morris
Ben McLemore

Talk about having to reestablish chemistry.

Anthony Davis said the Lakers are “way behind” where they should be, particularly offensively, at this point. But he said he’s optimistic that they’ll figure things, especially once the entire team is playing together.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 3, 2021

While the Lakers’ age and lack of continuity is concerning, they also have a healthy (and fresh for one of the first times in his career) LeBron James. That may be all you need to know, but the additions of Monk and Anthony give the Lakers some elite outside shooting, and Westbrook will take a major playmaking load off of James.

I’m intrigued to see how it all works out defensively, but the Lakers are going to be one of the NBA’s best teams as long as James and Davis are on the floor.

Los Angeles Lakers Win Total Prediction | 52.5 (Over -112/Under -108)

The Lakers, when healthy in the shortened 2019-20 season, went 52-19 in 71 games. That season was also shortened due to COVID-19, but we know that the Lakers have the potential to be the best team in the NBA.

James is two years older, but he’s defied all logic to this point in his career, and the oddsmakers at WynnBET seem to be in the same boat as I am. Why doubt LeBron until he gives you a reason to?

The key for this Lakers team will be on the defensive end, as KCP and Caruso were two of the team’s best perimeter defenders. Monk, Anthony and Nunn aren’t exactly the best replacements in that area, and with Trevor Ariza set to miss the start of the season, the Lakers are going to rely on Ellington and Bazemore for perimeter defense.

Lakers forward Trevor Ariza underwent a procedure on his right ankle and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 7, 2021

I don’t love it, but the Lakers’ offense is going to be a lot more free-flowing with Westbrook and James distributing the ball. As long as everyone is healthy I think they go over this number.

Los Angeles Lakers Playoff Odds

The Lakers are a lock to make the playoffs in WynnBET’s playoff odds (-5000), but you can be sure LeBron will do everything in his power to avoid having to play in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament for a second-straight season.

Los Angeles is +375 to win the NBA Finals behind only the Brooklyn Nets, and it’s hard to argue with that until the Lakers give us a reason to.

Injuries derailed last season, but there is a new strategy and a deeper, more experienced roster to weather the storm in the 2021-22 season. Expect the Lakers to compete for the West’s No. 1 seed.

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