Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the 5 biggest threats to a repeat

Ranking the five biggest threats to the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances at repeating as champions. 

Just a few weeks ago, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared dead-set on entering the playoffs as the favorites to hoist the 2021 NBA Championship at the end of the season. However, two injuries to Anthony Davis and LeBron James very well may derail what many assumed was close to a foregone conclusion.

With roughly 20 games remaining until the start of the playoffs, both LeBron and AD are still out of the lineup and the Lakers have fallen to the fourth seed in the Western Conference and are in danger of falling even further down the standings.

Ahead of the playoffs, the Western Conference playoffs are shaping up to be quite the competition. And the Lakers will have their hands full if they have hope in repeating.

Which teams exactly will be the biggest threats to knock off the defending champs? We rank the five teams that could beat the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game series. Starting with a trio of West contenders that have emerged this season.