As currently constructed do you think the Lakers will make the playoffs?

[Moranis]

So this right now is the Lakers roster

PG - Ball, Rondo
SG - KCP, Stephenson, Hart
SF - James, Ingram, Deng
PF - Kuzma, Wagner
C - McGee, Zubac

So that team obviously isn't on the level of Golden State or Houston, the question is, can that team finish ahead of at least 3 of the following: Portland, Utah, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Minnesota, Denver, San Antonio, LA Clippers

I'm not so sure it can.  What says you fine people of this forum?

EDIT: and that doesn't even include a team like the Grizzlies which were in the playoffs 2 seasons ago before losing Gasol and Conley for much of the year last year.

[Who]

yes. low seed.

[dreamgreen]

Yes they will make the playoffs but are no threat to win anything.

[saltlover]

I was thinking about this last night.  They do have a chance, but as you say, three of those teams are going to sit out.  It’s going to be tight, and probably decided by injuries.

[slamtheking]

It's Lebron and the Lakers.  no way the league will not get him into the playoffs carrying the Laker banner.

[hwangjini_1]

It's Lebron and the Lakers.  no way the league will not get him into the playoffs carrying the Laker banner.

And how exactly will the league do that over an entire season?

[Big333223]

I voted no, but it'll be close. I think this Lakers team wins 44-48 games. Denver missed it with 46 last season.

[Moranis]

I voted no, but it'll be close. I think this Lakers team wins 44-48 games. Denver missed it with 46 last season.

I voted no as well.  glad to see I'm not the only one on the this team just isn't very good bandwagon. 

I also can't see Lebron playing all 82 games again and without Lebron that team is mediocre at best. 

It is just a poorly constructed team.  It lacks shooters, has very limited size (I mean as it is now, Kuzma is going to log heavy minutes at center next to James and Ingram). 

Magic is trying to lose an off season when he signed the best player in the world.  It is shocking how poor the moves they've made actually are.

[celticsclay]

50 50 as is, but I also think there is only a 5% chance they are done and are not adding/changing players

[Celtics4ever]

Yes, LeBron can get them to the playoffs.

[Moranis]

50 50 as is, but I also think there is only a 5% chance they are done and are not adding/changing players

well yeah, they only have 12 players on the roster, and one of those is Deng, so they clearly need to add some players, but they have effectively used all their cap space and renounced their free agents, so they aren't adding any real money to the team (if they stretch Deng they can create some room, for maybe a player like Evans).  At this point, it seems like it is Kawhi Leonard or bust, of course that will be like a 3 for 1 trade making their roster numbers even smaller (though obviously acquiring Leonard makes them a clear playoff team if he is healthy). 

I'm not sure that they can really get much better without a major trade and outside of Leonard I don't know what that major trade is. 

[Donoghus]

I'm not betting against Lebron putting on a team on his back & carrying them to a playoff berth.  Not until I see him fail in that regard.

Yes.  But barely

[RLewis35]

This is not serious, right? Lebron went to the finals w a bad team.

Lebron takes the team as currently constructed to 4 or 5 seed.  When the other shoe drops they are likely goin to be a 2 or 3 seed.

[greece66]

I voted no, but it'll be close. I think this Lakers team wins 44-48 games. Denver missed it with 46 last season.

Last year's Cavs were a 50 win team, why do you they will be worse than this Lakers squad? Im interested to read your opinion.

[bopna]

I voted no, but it'll be close. I think this Lakers team wins 44-48 games. Denver missed it with 46 last season.

Last year's Cavs were a 50 win team, why do you they will be worse than this Lakers squad? Im interested to read your opinion.

Lebron by himself can put the freakin Hawks as constructed into the playoffs.. Cavs right now without Bron will definitely miss the playoffs and the Fakers with Bron right now are a 4th seed team.