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NBA: 6 teams facing the most pressure to finally win the championship in 2023-24

By Manolis Olandezos

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Devin Booker #1 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Devin Booker #1 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns celebrate during Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals at Footprint Center on May 05, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Austin Reaves, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James
NBA, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers

When are the Los Angeles Lakers NOT under pressure to compete for a championship? The 2023-24 season is no different. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka had a successful offseason. He managed to re-sign Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura – all of who were key to the Lakers’ second-half resurgence.

Pelinka also signed Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Jaxson Hayes, and Cam Reddish to team-friendly deals. He did all of this without going into the luxury tax. That’s good news because Anthony Davis can exercise the early opt-out clause in his contract and become a free agent after this season. He won’t be cheap to re-sign, even at 30 years old.

LeBron James could also become a free agent after this season, assuming he does not opt in to his player option for 2024-25. James has maintained that he wants to play with his son, Bronny, and be the first father-son tandem in NBA history. Bronny is eligible to enter the 2024 NBA Draft, should he choose to.

The Lakers went 18-9 after last season’s trade deadline and made it all the way to the Western Conference finals. Expectations are high once again in Tinseltown. This could be the best chance for the Lakers to compete for a championship with the futures of LeBron and A.D. up in the air.

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