1. Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis and LeBron James ascended as a legendary duo to vanquish their opponents in five games tops during the Western Conference playoffs. Their steepest challenge was against an overachieving Heat team in the NBA Finals that took them six games behind the multidimensional play of Jimmy Butler.
Once the smoke clears on their championship celebration, the chase is on to defend their throne. The free agency of AD has to be addressed, but all signs point to it will be in the foreseeable future. Once it is, it’ll be the Lake Show against the league as their competition tries to figure out the puzzle of AD and LBJ in pick-and-roll offense and off-ball sequences.
If LA continues to go with their big lineup in the frontcourt for defensive purposes, expect Dwight Howard to make a reappearance on the laker roster in 2021. Their only weakness on the team could be a scoring threat in the backcourt, most preferably at the two-guard spot.
With the trade demand for Victor Oladipo looming this summer at a unique high, it presents a chance for the Lakers’ front office to fill the biggest hole on their team. It’s inevitable the defending champs reload in some capacity to protect their throne next season. Once they do, their All-NBA players in Davis and James will carry the torch into postseason play come May and June for better or worst.