It’s wild to see that the Los Angeles Lakers led by a trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook won a grand total of 33 games last season.
They were a popular choice to contend for a title last season, even as many wondered how Westbrook and his need to have the ball in his hands would mesh with fellow alphas James and Davis.
Injuries and chemistry derailed the season and even though the team tried to trade Westbrook during the offseason for a better fit, less than two weeks before the start of the season, he remains on the roster.
The biggest issue with the team however is its ability for James and Davis to stay healthy. In four years with the Lakers, James most games played is 67 and has been at 56 or less each of the other three years.
Davis’ top number is 62 and he played just 36 and 40 the last two seasons.
Now amidst all those questions at the top, is a supporting cast that got younger and is more filled with lesser names to help provide depth for what will likely be another season of limited time on the court for their stars.
Los Angeles Lakers Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Russell Westbrook, SG Kendrick Nunn, SF LeBron James, PF Anthony Davis, C Damian Jones
Head coach: Darvin Ham
Notable Additions: PG Patrick Beverly, C Damian Jones, G Lonnie Walker IV, F Juan Toscano-Anderson, C Thomas Bryant
Draft Picks: G Max Christie (35th overall)
Lakers Arena: Crypto.com Arena
Lakers NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 18/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: +750
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Pacific Division: +800
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 45½ (-130)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes -200 | No +150
- Official website: nba.com/lakers
- Twitter Account : @Lakers
2022-23 Los Angeles Lakers NBA Award Top Contenders
Regular Season MVP: LeBron James +1800
Defensive Player OTY: Anthony Davis +2000
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Lakers:
You could put me on the list of folks who thought the Lakers would fall from grace last year. This year as everyone expects them to fall again, you can count me as someone who is a cautious optimist.
Beverley is a great leader for the second unit and Toscano-Anderson is a true pro to help mold the new arrivals. Having a full offseason to recover health wise and set the culture among the leadership group is huge as well. I think Darvin Ham who came from the Bucks will bring fresh ideas and better buy-in than Frank Vogel and it helps that many are dismissing a team led by one of the greatest players of all time and a couple of the greatest in recent times.
I see the Lakers as a solid long shot pick in the playoffs, even though they are likely not a top-six team in the West during the regular season.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 18/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: +750
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 45½ (-130)
2021-22 Record: 39-43
My Record Prediction: 44-38
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of October, 2022
Bet on the Los Angeles Lakers 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
