Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Rumors > NBA Rumors: Rival General Manager Believes Lakers Can Win 40-45 Games During 2018-19 NBA Season With Same Core Roster
Rumors

NBA Rumors: Rival General Manager Believes Lakers Can Win 40-45 Games During 2018-19 NBA Season With Same Core Roster

Trevor Lane
Published: 05/10/2018
3 Min Read
Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers had a relatively successful 2017-18 NBA season by winning 35 games and establishing an identity as a fast-paced, running team. In addition to a warp-speed offense, they also greatly improved on the defensive end, finishing 12th in defensive rating after landing dead last the season before.

The Lakers have a young core of Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart in place, and will have the opportunity to retain the services of Julius Randle in restricted free agency. In addition, the Lakers will have more cap space available than any other team this summer, which they can use to chase superstar free agents like LeBron James and Paul George.

However, some believe that the young Lakers are already headed in the right direction even if they aren’t able to sign a star this summer. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, one NBA general manager believes that the Lakers can win at least 40 games next season if they stand pat and bring back their own free agents:

“I had a GM say to me at the end of the year, who was playing against them, he said they cannot do anything with the team and he thought they’re a 40 to 45-win team next year. If they brought some of those guys back, they’ll be improved again. If they have a healthy Lonzo Ball, maybe more in NBA shape Lonzo Ball.”

As the anonymous GM notes, the Lakers didn’t have the best luck with injuries, losing Ball for extended stretches. Ingram also spent significant time on the sideline as well.

Randle was the lone player to appear in all 82 games for the Lakers this season, so with some better luck next year they could see a boost in wins based solely on health. Whether or not they re-sign veteran free agents Isaiah Thomas, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brook Lopez will also have a major impact on the team’s fortunes next season.

Regardless, the Lakers will chase stars this summer, but perhaps the most important thing to take away is that, even if they don’t land one, the future is still very bright.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKERSNATION FORUM CLUB

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles Lakers
ByTrevor Lane
Trevor Lane is a longtime NBA and Los Angeles Lakers fan who had the good fortune to grow up during the glory days of the Showtime Lakers, when Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and the rest ruled the Great Western Forum. He has written about basketball, soccer, fantasy sports, MMA, and even pro wrestling over the course of his career, but the spectacle that is the Lakers is his true passion. He made the leap into podcasting for Lakers Nation and provides voice-over analysis for our YouTube channel. With a who's who of stars gracing the Lakers lineup over the years, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and many others, the Lakers always provide plenty to talk about. When he isn't writing or recording, Trevor can be found spending time with his wife and daughter or on the sidelines for one of the youth teams he coaches. Outside of the Lakers, Trevor is a supporter of the LA Galaxy, US Soccer, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Contact: trevor@mediumlargela.com
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?