Los Angeles Lakers have been through a great off-season time. Many experts believe that they had the best performance this offseason. It can be true as Rob Pelinka and co. had a lot of issues to look after. Most importantly, they did not have enough cap space compared to teams like Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic. But they wanted to keep the core together no matter what. Other than LeBron James and Anthony Davis, nobody could believe the team could win games.
But the presence of Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura was assuring for the Lakers Nation. Moreover, they want to decrease the number of injuries as much as possible next season. If they are able to do all those things they plan, then they have no reason why they can’t win eight more games in the 2023-24 season than they could the previous season.
Lakers Believe They Can Win More Games Next Season Than They Did In 2022-23
Moreover, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Reports stated that not only the Lakers but almost everybody believe that the LA side can win more games next season. The Lakers have a good and balanced roster. Rob Pelinka retained the essential players from the last season, like, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell. All these three players were heading toward free agency. But to relieve the Lakers Nation, Pelinka ensured these players stayed. Moreover, The Los Angeles Lakers got quality new players like Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish, and Taurean Prince. Other players who joined are young Jaxson Hayes and the 17th pick of 2023, Jalen Hood-Schifino.
After keeping integral players like Hachimura, Reaves, and Russell, the Lakers already raised their chances of making the postseason next year. They replaced Dennis Schroder with Gabe Vincent from Miami Heat. Schroder went to Toronto Raptors. But the good news for the Lakers is the arrival of Gabe Vincent. He played for the Heat last season, who reached the Finals. Hence, he comes with a lot of experience and a positive vibe. The 17-time champions will use him in the rotation. Moreover, they will use Cam Reddish and Taurean Prince. But most importantly, if the two stars – James and Davis stay healthy for almost the whole season, the Lakers will have more chances to win the title.
It Was Very Crucial To Keep The Core Together
The players who came in before the February trade deadline brought balance and stability to the roster. They changed the work culture in the locker room. Later, the effects were visible on the court. Anthony Davis led the side to the postseason and later to the Western Conference Finals. But throughout this journey, he was not totally fit. Both stalwarts of the Lakers roster, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, missed more than ten games in a row.
AD missed as many as twenty on the trot. Other than the duo of James and Davis, there were more injury concerns throughout the season. Despite these difficulties, the Lakers shocked the world by reaching the conference finals. Hence, the front office of the Lakers thought about keeping the core together and finding enough players on the reserve bench to use as substitutes during injuries.
