Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and guard Austin Reaves (15) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers are in Slovenia for a mini-training camp and team-building trip hosted by Luka Doncic. The Lakers want to have a head start in preparing for the new season, especially since they practically have a new roster.
With the departure of LeBron James, Doncic and Austin Reaves will have to take on even bigger responsibilities for the Purple and Gold. They have proven that they can mesh well despite being both high-usage players.
Doncic and Austin will likely be joined by Walker Kessler, Jake LaRavia, and Quentin Grimes in the starting lineup. While the Lakers are no pushovers, ESPN analysts believe the team is not among the top contenders in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles only earned two votes in the poll for the possible winner of the Western Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs dominated with 88 votes and 74 votes, respectively.
“It will be surprising if there isn't a rematch of last season's West Finals, a seven-game battle won by the Spurs that seemed like the first chapter of the NBA's next epic rivalry. The Thunder (60.5) and Spurs (59.5) have by far the conference's highest over/unders for projected wins, according to DraftKings,” wrote ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Article Continues Below
The Thunder and the Spurs each retained their core, with the former drafting Aday Mara and the latter adding Tobias Harris.
MacMahon also gave honorable mention to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who received nine votes. He lauded the addition of LaMelo Ball, with the Timberwolves forming “arguably the league's most talented backcourt” with Anthony Edwards.
The Lakers had a 53-29 record last season, their most wins since the 2010-2011 season. They had an inspired effort in the first round of the playoffs, beating the Houston Rockets despite missing Doncic due to a hamstring injury. They, however, got swept by the Thunder in the second round.
The Lakers have not ruled the Western Conference since winning the title in the 2019-2020 season.