The Los Angeles Lakers clinched their 17th NBA Championship in the 2019/20 season. They defeated Miami Heat in the overall final but ever since they have not come close to claiming a record 18th title.
However, following significant roster improvements in the off-season they should be one of the championship favourites for the upcoming season.
The Lakers are one of the leading teams again
The Lakers have made a number of excellent additions this summer, and they have also had key stars return from lengthy injury absences in recent months. In terms of their overall quality, they appear to be one of the strongest teams in the NBA yet again.
The Lakers’ off-season improvements are reflected in the odds for the 2023/24 NBA championship. In basketball betting UK, the Lakers are offered at 10/1 to become NBA record champions in the eventual post-season. There is also a bet calculator which helps demonstrate the potential returns from NBA championship betting this season.
The LA team are certainly not the outright favourites but they are well amongst the crop of teams that have a genuine chance of winning the championship. For the past few seasons, the Lakers have still appeared strong but have had missing pieces which have halted their championship hopes.
At times there has been too much pressure for LeBron James to score a majority of the team’s points, and there have also been a variety of long-term injury woes for the Western Conference team. But now they look prepared to potentially go all of the way and overtake the Boston Celtics in all-time championship victories in 2024.
Greatest forward depth in the NBA
The Lakers have one of the strongest forward rotations in the entire NBA. They of course have arguably the greatest player of all time James operating in the small forward position. The return to fitness of Anthony Davis means that they could have a genuine superstar operating at the centre also.
Rui Hachimura will again be a strong option that can play either play the small forward or power forward roles.
The Lakers arguably had one of the greatest forward setups in the NBA in the past season. However, off-season additions have strengthened their case further. The Lakers acquired free agent Taurean Prince in July, who is an excellent two-way role player.
Austin Reaves is entering his prime
Austin Reaves enjoyed a breakout season in 2022/23. He was regularly one of the team’s leading points scorers while being awarded sub-30 minutes per game.
He switched between the small forward and shooting guard positions last season, but will now likely take a position in the backcourt following Davis’s return.
Reaves showed signs of becoming a genuine NBA superstar last season, and at the age of 25, he is certainly entering the prime days of his career.
Gabe Vincent will offer strong support in the point guard position too after the free agent was signed over the summer. He and Reaves are both excellent creative players, that will create chance after chance for the forwards.
The Lakers have bolstered every position this summer; Davis, James and Reaves were dangerous last year, but with reinforcements, they now have undeniable championship potential.
