NBA: Which team will take the mantle from the Golden State Warriors?

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers enter next season with arguably the best tandem in the league with Lebron James and Anthony Davis. James, however, is 34 years old and is likely playing out his final contract in the NBA, which expires after the 2021-22.

In addition to James and Davis, the Lakers feature Kyle Kuzma, who at 24 years of age, is a high caliber player with a bright upside. The Lakers have filled out their roster for this season with mostly aging veterans on short term deals. If they can resign Davis, who becomes a free agent at the end of the upcoming season the Lakers should remain title contenders throughout the remainder of LeBron James’ contract and should be in a position to attract another high-profile free agent to replace James after the 2021-22 season.

With Davis, who is only 26 years old, Kuzma and another high-profile free agent to replace James, the Lakers should not only contend now but well beyond the next five seasons. The Lakers have paid a considerable price to assemble their present roster. They will only have two first-round draft picks over the next five years and they traded away their two best prospects in Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram to acquire Davis.

It will be difficult to infuse the team with any younger talent over the coming seasons, so if the Lakers are unable to attract an All-NBA caliber free agent to replace James it could be a long and challenging rebuilding process.