Los Angeles Lakers: The Brewing Disaster for the 2024 NBA Season
As the 2024 NBA season looms on the horizon, there’s growing skepticism about the Los Angeles Lakers’ ability to contend, let alone thrive. After a turbulent preseason schedule, a veteran-heavy roster, and some questionable coaching decisions, the team might be setting itself up for a disastrous campaign. This article delves into the challenges the Lakers face, from their grueling schedule to their aging stars, and explores the potential trades—or lack thereof—that could define their season.
The Intuit Dome and Crypto.com Arena Rivalry
One of the biggest factors contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers is the opening of the Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers. Just a stone’s throw away from the Lakers’ Crypto.com Arena, this sparkling new venue has increased the pressure on the Lakers’ management to modernize their own facility. While Crypto.com Arena is undergoing improvements, the real concern lies in the product on the court. The Lakers’ struggles could be compounded by the Clippers’ rise, especially if both teams vie for dominance in Los Angeles.
Preseason Woes and a Grueling Schedule
The Lakers’ preseason schedule offers an early glimpse into their potential struggles. The team starts with two games in Palm Springs, over 100 miles away from Los Angeles, before heading to Milwaukee, followed by a home game in Las Vegas. To make matters worse, they face a rare back-to-back against Phoenix and Golden State, keeping them on the road for two consecutive weeks.
This tough start extends into the regular season. The Lakers’ first six games are against teams that made the playoffs or play-in tournament last year, and out of the first 14 games (including the preseason), 11 are on the road. For a team with an aging core and a brand-new coaching staff, this schedule could prove disastrous.
Veterans at the End of Their Rope?
Much of the Lakers’ hopes rest on the shoulders of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, both players are coming off a summer where they represented Team USA at the Paris Olympics, giving everything they had on the international stage. This extended competition could leave them fatigued for the start of the NBA season. In a league where recovery and rest are crucial, LeBron and AD may find themselves needing a break just as the regular season begins.
Moreover, the entire Lakers coaching staff is new, with no proven head coach to guide the team through adversity. While many fans hope that this new leadership can spark some fresh ideas, the inexperience could easily backfire, leaving the team struggling to find a rhythm.
The Trade Dilemma
The Lakers do have assets to make a significant trade, should things begin to unravel early in the season. They possess two valuable first-round draft picks in 2029 and 2031, along with a slew of young players like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, and their 2024 17th pick, Dalton Knecht. Additionally, they have young veterans like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura, who could sweeten any potential deal.
However, the only players deemed untouchable are LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and, surprisingly, Bronny James. This makes sense, given LeBron’s desire to play alongside his son, but it also creates a tricky situation. The Lakers are stuck between a win-now mentality and a reluctance to mortgage their future, a balance they’ve failed to strike since their last championship.
The front office has been wary of making another blockbuster deal after the debacle with Russell Westbrook. That move, made in the aftermath of a first-round exit, broke up a championship-caliber team and ultimately backfired. As a result, the Lakers have become more cautious, even passing up a chance to trade for Kyrie Irving two years ago.
The New CBA and Financial Constraints
Further complicating the Lakers’ situation is the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which has imposed stricter financial regulations. Under the new rules, overspending not only hurts teams financially but also limits their roster-building flexibility. This affects teams like the Lakers, whose ability to make trades, sign buyout players, or use mid-level exceptions is severely curtailed by past financial mistakes.
Teams are now more fearful than ever of making a bad trade, knowing that one wrong move could cripple their franchise for years. This environment has led to some surprising moves across the league, with stars like Klay Thompson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Paul George finding new homes. If the Lakers start the season poorly, they may hesitate to pull the trigger on any major trades, fearing the long-term consequences.
Potential Trade Targets
If the Lakers do decide to make a move, there are a few names that have been circulating in trade rumors. Marcus Smart, the former Defensive Player of the Year, could provide much-needed defense in the backcourt. However, his offensive struggles—particularly his 32% shooting from three—make him a less-than-ideal fit for a team that desperately needs spacing.
Another potential target is Bruce Brown, a key contributor to the Denver Nuggets’ championship run two years ago. Brown is a free agent and unlikely to re-sign with Toronto, making him an appealing trade candidate. Defensively sound and capable of hitting big shots in the postseason, Brown would be a valuable addition to the Lakers’ roster.
For big men, the name Walker Kessler has been mentioned as an ideal fit next to Anthony Davis. However, acquiring Kessler would come at a steep price, likely costing the Lakers multiple draft picks and young players. Given Danny Ainge’s reputation as a tough negotiator, the cost might be too high for the Lakers to justify.
LeBron’s Future and the Lakers’ Legacy
If the Lakers’ season does spiral out of control, the consequences could extend beyond this year. LeBron James is a free agent next summer, and there’s a real possibility that he could leave Los Angeles. Should the Lakers fail to contend, LeBron may feel that the organization is no longer capable of supporting his championship aspirations.
In fact, some insiders believe LeBron will threaten to leave if the team doesn’t make a trade by midseason. Whether or not this would prompt the front office to take action remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the Lakers are walking a tightrope. They need to balance keeping LeBron happy while also avoiding the kind of desperate, short-term moves that could set the franchise back for years.
Conclusion
As the 2024 NBA season approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at a crossroads. With a daunting schedule, an aging core, and a cautious front office, the team could be heading for a disastrous year. While trades could help, the Lakers appear reluctant to make a move, especially given the new CBA rules and their previous mistakes.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain two of the best players in the league, but their supporting cast may not be enough to carry them through a brutal early season. Whether the Lakers can pull off a surprise turnaround or sink into mediocrity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this season could define the future of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises.
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