NBA: Superstar trades, a Nets championship, other 2022 bold predictions

Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
Kevin Durant (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
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LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

The Lakers will lose in the first round of the playoffs – again

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rollercoaster start to the season but you’d have to assume they’re going to find a rhythm at some point this season. Still, I don’t think this team is going to get to a point where they’re mistaken for a contender.

They’re going to make the playoffs but I don’t think this team is going very far – not if they can’t get out of their own way as it pertains to the overall fit. The interesting part of the Lakers so far this season is that it’s not fair to drop the blame on any one player; as a collection, the parts just don’t seem to fit.

I predict that the Lakers will once again lose in the first round of the playoffs. Even more so if they can’t climb into the top 4 of the Western Conference standings by the end of the season.