Monica McNutt hit the nail on the head. We can talk about LeBron James and Anthony Davis all we want, but the idea of this Lakers team making a deep playoff run feels more like wishful thinking than a genuine possibility. Tim MacMahon can point to their recent winning streaks, sure, but let's be real about the context. They beat the Grizzlies without Ja Morant, the Jazz missing Lauri Markkanen, and the Blazers who are actively trying to lose games. That's not exactly a murderer's row.
Here’s the thing: their defense, even with Davis playing at an All-NBA level, has been inconsistent. They allowed 138 points to the Kings on March 6th, and gave up 128 to the Warriors just a few days later. You don't win multiple playoff rounds letting teams put up those kinds of numbers. LeBron, at 39, is still phenomenal, averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists as of mid-March. But he’s playing heavy minutes, and that wear and tear adds up. Remember the 2021 playoffs when he was clearly hobbled against the Suns? History has a way of repeating itself, especially with Father Time undefeated.
The big 'what if' floating around, and the one MacMahon brought up, is the idea of Luka Doncic landing in Los Angeles. Now, that's a different conversation entirely. Imagine Doncic, a guy who dropped 73 points against the Hawks in January and is averaging over 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists for the season, paired with Davis. That’s a legitimate contender. Doncic's playmaking, his ability to bend defenses, and his clutch scoring would elevate everything. He makes everyone around him better, something this current Lakers roster desperately needs from someone not named LeBron.
But this isn't a fantasy league. Doncic is under contract with the Mavericks until at least 2026. Dallas isn't just going to hand over their franchise cornerstone. It would take an absolute king's ransom, likely involving multiple first-round picks and young talent, none of which the Lakers currently possess in abundance. So, while it's fun to dream about a hypothetical super-team, it’s about as realistic as me starting at point guard for them next week. The current squad, the one actually on the payroll, is the one we have to evaluate.
Let’s talk about the path. As of mid-March, the Lakers are battling for a play-in spot, hovering around the 9th or 10th seed in the Western Conference. They're looking up at teams like the Nuggets, Thunder, and Timberwolves, all of whom have established identities and deep rosters. Even if they navigate the play-in tournament, which is no guarantee – remember how close they were to missing it entirely last year before their late surge? – they'd likely face one of those top seeds.
My hot take? This Lakers team, as currently constructed, would be lucky to push a first-round series to six games against any of the top three seeds in the West. They lack consistent three-point shooting – a team average of 34.9% from deep ranks them 23rd in the league – and their bench production often disappears for long stretches. D'Angelo Russell has had some big scoring nights, like his 44 points against the Bucks on March 8th, but his defensive lapses are glaring. Austin Reaves is solid, but he's not a primary creator. They’re a good story for a few weeks, but a deep playoff run requires more than just two superstars and a prayer.
Bold prediction: The Lakers will fail to make it past the first round of the playoffs, assuming they even get there.