Revitalizing the Legacy: A Closer Look at the LA Lakers’ Upcoming Season

LeBron James’ Future with the Lakers

In April, following consecutive playoff losses to the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers was put into question. James, however, didn’t offer a direct answer and instead, let his actions speak by signing a two-year, $104 million contract extension in July. The 39-year-old superstar’s decision still sparked uncertainties following a momentous summer that saw a coaching shift from Darvin Ham to JJ Redick and the addition of Dalton Knecht and Bronny James on draft night.

Despite the addition of new players, the Lakers are largely returning with the same lineup that landed seventh in the Western Conference and gained entry into the playoffs via the play-in tournament. With training camp less than three weeks away, let’s delve into the major storylines of the Lakers’ upcoming season as they strive for championship contention.

LeBron’s Prowess from the 3-point Line

In his first year as coach, Redick expressed his desire for LeBron to mimic his own shooting style. Redick revealed his plan for James in his introductory press conference, stating, “I want him shooting 3s.” James had a remarkable 41% shooting last season, the highest of his 21-year career and not far from Redick’s lifetime 41.5%. This impressive improvement was attributed to the healing of James’ foot injury, which allowed him to practice and refine his shot.

Anthony Davis’ Pursuit for Defensive Player of the Year

Anthony Davis, after placing fourth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, appeared to surrender his hopes of ever receiving the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy. Despite his disappointment, Davis contributed significantly to Team USA’s gold medal victory in the Olympics by leading in blocks and ranking second in rebounds and fourth in steals.

Role Player Changes

Last season, the Lakers lost 190 games due to injuries among four role players. However, with some players returning and others ready to compete for playing time, Redick will have more options to choose from, potentially improving the team’s effectiveness.

The Rise of Bronny James

Bronny James, the Lakers’ 55th draft pick, garnered more attention than any other player in the same position in the league’s history, primarily because he’s the son of the NBA’s top scorer. The Lakers remain optimistic about the potential of the 6-foot-2 shooting guard despite a lackluster summer league performance.

Trade Possibilities

Although the Lakers were relatively quiet during the 2024 trade deadline and the offseason, the team is expected to make significant changes before the postseason. The Lakers have several assets that they can potentially use in a star trade, including their 2029 and 2031 first-round picks, young talent on affordable contracts, and players on midrange contracts. Keep an eye on Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards as a possible trade target.

As the start of the training camp approaches, the Lakers are gearing up for another exciting and promising season.