Jordan Clarkson (Photo : Getty Images)
The LA Lakers has been through the worst season of their franchise with just 17 wins last season but they're bound to get better.
The big question is how much better? For ESPN in their summer forecast, they projected eight more wins, but still not better than any other team in the West. Their forecast shows a more balanced standing with Golden State ending up with just 67 wins (compared to 73). Thus, the gap between the best and worst narrows (73-17 to 67-25) but the teams are still the same.
In comparison with the "Worldwide Leader In Sports" poll, the predictions of Gil Alcaraz of Hoops Habit seem wildly optimistic.
The Lakers is predicted to "sneak" into the playoffs. "They've got an exciting group of high-upside players highlighted by Clarkson, Russell and Ingram. Tie in the intriguing young talents of Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Zubac, and this team could be playoff bound - if they all live up to their potential.
Having a quality head coach in Walton will certainly help, too," Alcaraz said.
In his assessment based on last season's standings, 41 wins was enough to send the Houston Rockets to the post-season and Alcaraz believes that the Lakers can reach that, meaning they'll be sixteen wins better than ESPN's prediction.
That seems reachable if one considers the other predictions he stated. One of them is D'Angelo Russell becoming a star. That seems like a foregone conclusion since Russell has the talent and now he is being given the reins of the team.
It's his other prediction that seems audacious-that Clarkson will become an All-Star next season. "I'm expecting him to take the next step in his maturation this season, emerging as a legitimate All-Star candidate," Alcaraz said. "Realistically, he's the Lakers' most reliable scoring option at this very moment. He's also got an outstanding young point guard ready to help him shine, and an intriguing rookie wing who can take the defense's focus off of him. What I think will really make the difference is the presence of Luke Walton, though."
While Clarkson is expected to have a breakthrough season and he can deliver All-Star level stats, the competition for the five (or six) backcourt spots in the West is too tight. Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Mike Conley and James Harden all figure to be competitors and there could be other breakout candidates. It's not impossible but it's a stretch to say the least.
