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NBA: Predicting the 2019 draft lottery teams

By Colin Cann

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

14. Los Angeles Lakers

The best player on the planet missing out on the playoffs for the first time since his second season in the league? This is a bold prediction for some but if you look at the teams that need to miss out on the playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers to rejoin the ranks, it isn’t that outrageous.

The players Los Angeles has surrounded LeBron James with just don’t seem to fit with his style of play. LerBon is a ball dominant player, for good reason, he is ultra efficient and an amazing playmaker. The offense seems to flow best when he is surrounded by 3-point threats, 3-and-D ideally, although the Cavaliers mostly forgot about the “D” aspect in recent years.

The Lakers though, have gone in the opposite direction. Instead of surrounding James with shooters they have surrounded him with more playmakers, they are somewhat defensive-minded playmakers at least. Rajon Rondo, Lonzo Ball, and LeBron all need the ball in their hands to maximize their effectiveness.

The same was said about James Harden and Chris Paul, but they both have elite 3-point shooting to open the floor up for each other, not to mention the other threats from deep on the roster. Los Angeles will not have a single player who shot above 40 percent last season.

Must Read: NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference after the Free Agency

This will not be a team LeBron is used to leading, he will have to alter his style of play unless he wants to watch countless 3-pointers clank off the rim. His greatness could still lead a team into the playoffs, but considering the competition he has to face, the Lakers are very much not a lock. Did I mention how tough the Western Conference is?

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